Since Thrive ground beef is on sale this month here's a simple recipe that can be on the table in under 25 minutes and is made in one pot.

Using freeze dried ground beef couldn't be easier because there is no mess. You don't have to thaw your ground beef, cook it, drain the grease and you only use the amount you need. So if you have a smaller or larger family or really want more or less ground beef in a recipe, there's no problem because you just scoop what you need out of can and it tastes great. In personally think it tastes better than store bought ground beef.

I used an 8oz can of no salt added tomato sauce but Thrive tomato sauce is also on special this month so you could easily use that instead. If you made this with Thrive tomato sauce you'll use 1/4 cup of the tomato sauce mix and 1 cup of water.

When using freeze dried cheese in a recipe that you will have water, broth or sauce you can choose to just toss the freeze dried cheese into what you're making. This may take a little longer for the cheese to refresh so it's up to you. If you want to refresh your mozzarella cheese ahead of time, this video shows you how easy it is.

We're also using Thrive chopped onions, mushrooms, red peppers and green onions. If one of those foods isn't your thing, just add extra of the ingredient you like.

One Pot Ground Beef Cheesy Noodle Skillet Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 c. Thrive ground beef (hamburger)
• 1/2 c. Thrive red bell peppers
• 1/4 c. Thrive chopped onions (can substitute Thrive onion slices)
• 1/3 c. Thrive mushrooms
• 1/4 c. Thrive green onions
• 1 1/4 c. Thrive mozzarella cheese 
• 3/4 c. penne noodles
• 1 8oz can no salt added tomato sauce (or use Thrive tomato sauce)
• 1 1/4 c. small curd cottage cheese
• 1/2 c. sour cream
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 c. water

Directions:

Add all ingredients to pot, stir and leave uncovered. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook until noodles are done.

You can also choose to save save some of the mozzarella cheese as a topping or use more than 1 1/4 c. I'm all for the cheesier the better! If you haven't refreshed your Thrive mozzarella cheese before cooking be sure to toss it in the pot to refresh with the other ingredients and don't use unrefreshed cheese as a topper.

This should take around 20 minutes. Watch the water amount and if you need to add water, do so in smaller amounts. The main thing when cooking with freeze dried foods is you want enough water or sauce to refresh the ingredients.

I topped with chives but you can also top with refreshed Thrive green onions for an added bonus of yum!

​Why use Thrive Life Freeze Dried Foods?

Thrive freeze dried foods are different than any other kind you’ll find on the market.

• These foods won’t spoil in a few days…or even a few weeks. They’re good.
• You won’t be thawing, degreasing, or cutting raw meat.
• You won’t be chopping veggies or washing and peeling fruit.
• There’s an extra burst of flavor you won’t find anywhere else! Just take a bite!
• Just toss in any meal or refresh (rehydrate) in warm water.
• Free of GMOs, preservatives, artificial nonsense and chemical junk
• The Nutrilock Promise! It's our little secret that makes our food higher in nutrients and freeze-dried fresh all year long. It's a rigorous 41 step process that one Thrive Life owns, and it takes that wild, naturally ripened food and gently locks in the nutrients and flavor without the use of preservatives. Can the grocery store do that?