Freeze-Dried Beefy Pasta
Pasta, beef, tomatoes, and cheese—all freeze-dried. One pot, one boil, dinner in 15 minutes.
- calories
- 900
- weight
- 7.5 oz
- cal / oz
- 120
- protein
- 50 g
- serves
- 1, scales
- prep
- 2 min
- cook
- 15 min
- total time
- 17 min
- water
- 300 ml boiled
- cost
- $$
Calorie and protein figures are my own estimates, good enough for planning a food bag and not meant as precise nutrition data.
- Dinner
- Canister stove
- Alcohol / Esbit
- Backpacking
- Thru-hike
- Winter / snow
- Nut free
- One pot
- Pre-mix at home
- Shelf stable
- Dump and stir
Ingredients
| Freeze-dried pasta | ½ cup | dehydrated or home freeze-dried |
|---|---|---|
| Freeze-dried tomatoes | ½ cup | provides body and acidity to the broth |
| Freeze-dried mozzarella cheese | ½ cup | will clump during rehydration but disperses into the pasta |
| Freeze-dried ground beef | ½ cup | concentrated protein and flavor |
| Low sodium beef bouillon | 1 tsp or 1 packet | salt and savory backbone |
Method
- Bring 1¼ cups water to a boil.
- Add all the freeze-dried ingredients: pasta, tomatoes, cheese, beef, and bouillon.
- Stir briefly to combine, cover the pot, and remove from heat immediately.
- Let it sit covered for 15 minutes while everything rehydrates.
- Stir well. The mixture should be thick, like chili or a pasta soup.
Freeze-dried ingredients rehydrate instantly and completely when mixed with hot water. The pasta, vegetables, and meat all soften at the same rate, eliminating the timing games of traditional one-pot meals. The starches in the pasta swell and thicken the broth into something substantial enough to eat with a spoon.
Everything in this recipe is shelf-stable and light enough for extended backcountry trips. The entire meal weighs less than eight ounces and keeps for years without refrigeration or special care. You can buy the freeze-dried components ready-made or process your own with a home freeze-dryer.
Packing
Combine all dry ingredients in a quart-sized ziplock or mylar bag at home. If using a bouillon packet, remove it before packing. For storage longer than a few months, add an oxygen absorber or desiccant packet and seal completely.
Variations
- Use this recipe as a freezer-bag meal: boil water at home or camp and pour into a cozy-lined bag instead of using a pot.
- Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or garlic powder for more seasoning depth.
- Substitute freeze-dried chicken for the beef to lighten the meal.
- Top with powdered Parmesan cheese carried separately to avoid clumping in the dry mix.
https://trailcooking.com/2025/01/10/instant-meals-beefy-pasta