Spanish Noodle Skillet

2 slices bacon (optional)
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/2 lb ground beef
1 tsp salt
dash pepper
1/4 tsp oregano
2 cups pureed or stewed tomatoes
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 cup egg noodles

1. Cut bacon into 1 inch pieces and fry until crisp. Set aside.
2. Saute onion, green pepper, and ground beef in bacon drippings. Pour off any excess fat.
3. Add salt, pepper, oregano, tomatoes, and water. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Bring to a boil and add egg noodles a few at a time.
4. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 10 more minutes. Top with reserved bacon and serve.

Options:
1. Omit bacon. Saute vegetables with ground beef, adding a little oil if beef is dry.
2. Stir in 3/4 cup shredded cheese with noodles. Top with 1/4 cup additional cheese just before serving.

Source: More-with-Less

Try #1 - March 2012
Easy, but nothing particularly special. The bacon flavor didn't really come through on this one. I doubled the ingredients so that I could use a whole package of egg noodles.