Shortcut taco lasagna or casserole

Easy shortcut recipe!

Craving Tacos?

This easy recipe can be made and on the table in 60 minutes.

I lb. Ground beef , turkey or chicken)cook until browned.

I package taco seasoning (cook according to directions)

1/2 can refried beans ( save other half can as your side)

4 oz. Softened cream cheese

6 to 8 Small tortillas 

1can Red Enchilada sauce 

8 oz. Shredded cheddar cheese

Salad, corn , refried beans or rice are great sides .

Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking with cooking spray.  Add  1/2 of the can of red enchilada sauce to baking dish.

Layer first layer of tortillas (you may have to cut to size).

Top layer with approximately 1/4 cup seasoned meat.

Add several tsp. Softened cream cheese and refried beans

Keep layering until you feel the casserole is full enough or if you are running out of ingredients.

Note: leaving enough of meat mixture, sauce and cheddar cheese to cover casserole.  Cover with foil and bake 350° for approximately 30 minutes covered. Remove cover and bake an additional 5 minutes if necessary.

Enjoy!

Shipwreck dinner my way

I saw this recipe and it interested me so I made it according to directions and it was blah so I added a heaping tablespoon of soft cream cheese and a heaping tablespoon of soft cheddar cheese and now I taste tested it and it’s all GOOD!

I felt a light salad would be a nice touch to make this a meal.

• 1 pound lean ground beef

• 1 (7.25 ounce) package macaroni and cheese mix (I used ALDIs brand)

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with chiles(I drained my tomatoes)

• ***1  1/4 cup milk

• ***1 cup frozen peas( I used baby limas for a change)

• 1 cup frozen corn

• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt or to taste

  ***1 heaping tablespoon soft cream cheese

  ***1 heaping tablespoon soft sharp cheddar cheese 

  1cup cheddar cheese for topping.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain
 

1. Stir in the mix, tomatoes, milk, and frozen vegetables. 
2. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the pasta is tender. 
3. Season and add the shredded cheddar cheese. 
4. Dessert too!

Shortcut cheeseburger soup

This was a very delicious shortcut recipe that I’m sure you can make with other brands of Tomato soup.  I happened to have Costco’s creamy tomato soup

on hand so I used it as my base.

 

 

Going to put either the toast on the bottom or top of this soup when I serve it.

Shortcut cheeseburger soup.

Ground beef fry until browned thoroughly.(1/2 lb. Works fine)

Add tomato soup (1quart)(Costco) and 1 cup milk.  ( you can add less but this soup was a bit salty).  After it boils for about 10 minutes add American cheese (I added 6 to 8 slices) and I’ll pour the soup into my bowl and top it with a nicely browned slice of Texas toast.   You can use plain croutons if you prefer.

**** I think a thicker crustier bread is your best choice imo.

Easy and delicious!

Enjoy!

Basic all Beef meatloaf

Meatloaf  and Stuffed peppers Saturday !

It’s so cold we’ve  staying in  but I must cook.  

Here’s today’s meals!

I’m exercising portion control!(TODAY LOL)

Today I made a half recipe for the meatloaf  and the other half of meat I added onion , cooked rice ,salt and pepper and stuffed a large red pepper as well as two meatballs .  Two meals for two days.

1 lb. ground chuck
1/2 cup breadcrumbs, plain
1 tsp. salt
Pinch pepper 
eggs
1 medium onion finely chopped
1/2 cup milk

NOTE:  Spread some ketchup on top of meatloaf 10 minutes before removing from oven.

Beat egg well.  Add to beef, onion, salt pepper.  Incorporate breadcrumbs and milk.   Meat mixture will be soft but you will be able to form a small meatloaf.

Enjoy!

Beef in cast iron pot

I really love my cast iron pot.

I have two sizes and today I used the smaller one for our beef dinner.

I had about 1.5 pound piece of thick round steak

1 package onion soup mix

1 cup water

3T Vegetable oil

I seared the beef in the vegetable oil and then added the onion soup water mix.  

Baked in pre heated oven @ 350° for approximately 11/2 hours or less.  Because of the cut it baked quickly.

I tested it with a fork and it cut easily and was very tender.

A delicious meal.

Enjoy!

 

New recipe Chili w vegetables recipe

Today was a day to play with food.

I added my touch to a recipe I had never used before.

My mother in law when she made chili she would add a can of mixed vegetables to hers.  I never cared for it so when I made chili I would make my version of a recipe I used from the first time I made chili and it involved beef, onion salt and pepper, chili powder and tomato juice.  My original recipe:

https://iliketobakeandcook.blogspot.com/2019/02/basic-chili-con-carne.html

New recipe:
I lb. Ground beef

1 medium onion chopped 

2 carrots chopped or sliced

I tsp. Cumin

1tsp. Chili powder

1tsp. Better than bullion beef seasoning****

1/2 cup water***

I stalk celery chopped 

1tsp. Salt

1large can crushed tomatoes 

1 small red or green or yellow pepper ****

1 can dark kidney beans rinsed and drained 

In a Dutch oven pot place a small amount of vegetable oil.

Place carrot,celery,onion and beef, yellow pepper ,salt and sauté until onion is translucent and beef is browned.

Add tomatoes, Better than bouillon, cumin , chili powder, drained beans and chopped pepper.

Cook on low to medium until it starts to boil.  Cook on low slightly covered for approximately 1hour or more.

Because of the vegetables this recipe will need to be cooked on low until vegetables are tender.

Some fresh bread or crackers to sop up the juice.

Tbis chili is meant to be soupy!

Usually chili is topped with shredded cheese but today I put a dollop of sour cream on mine.  Delicious!!

Enjoy!

Meat sauce with Polenta

New photo 10/22/2023

This is the Polenta I used.

Our family knows polenta as a traditional Italian meal. It's been around for generations..

Today I'm making it and although it's hot outside we don't care because I (we)are craving it.
 It's going to be awesome! 

I know I've said this many times and I am aware that family budgets are tight but check for sales and try hard to buy the best quality of meat that you can afford.  I truly believe quality meat for this sauce makes a remarkable difference it the taste.

Here is today's recipe:

1 lb. ground beef (85%)
1 lb. ground pork (90%)
2 cubes of basil, garlic and olive oil pesto or several cloves minced garlic and about 1 tsp.dried basil

Note:  I make my own blend with my garlic, basil and olive oil and freeze it by tablespoons in ice cube trays but feel free to either buy a good pesto blend(I do not have any nuts in mine) and use a little of it when you cook your meat.

Salt and pepper according to your taste
1 large can Hunts crushed tomatoes
1 large can Hunts tomato sauce
1 small can organic tomato paste
1 small can water
1 15 oz. can organic tomato sauce
1 carrot cleaned and cut into 3 pieces



In a Dutch place a little olive oil on medium heat.  Add ground meats and cook while breaking meat apart into small to medium pieces.  Once meat has started to brown slightly and there is no longer any pink add garlic/basil pesto , salt and pepper.  Keep stirring until incorporated.  Add small can tomato paste and small can water.  Cook and stir until all starts to bubble slightly.  Add mixture to crockpot that is set on high that you have placed crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and carrot. Stir well, cover and cook two hours on high and then lower heat to low and cook for an additional two hours. Delicious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Instant Polenta..........It's really good and cooks in 3 minutes.  Polenta is an acquired taste...Most Italians love it. All it is is thickened corn meal.

You can find a box of Polenta at most grocery stores.  The brand I used was was DeLallo
The box has instructions on it and it serves 3  similar to the portion below comfortably.

FYI:  Just a little note from me.  This was the first year I had so much fresh basil so I decided to try using my food processor(you can use a blender too) and using the basil, fresh garlic and olive oil and after blending it all I froze individual tablespoons in ice cube containers.  I had done this before but varied using pine nuts and cheese.  This year with basil so abundant I am good thru next summer.

You may want to next year grow your own basil.  Containers do well and make your own pesto that have so many uses.  You can add more olive oil when making pasta along with a few of these pesto cubes and top with a little grated cheese and you have an easy meal.

From my kitchen to yours,

Original April 2016