Enchilada meatballs

Good recipe !  Excellent appetizer!

I have wanted to try an easy Enchilada meatball recipe and I did make some adjustments with ingredients using what I had available.

I’ll note in recipe! ***

I made my own cornbread since I had a box mix. Leftovers with butter for breakfast! Yum!

• 2 cups crumbled cornbread (made a quick cornbread mix)***
• 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce, divided 
• ½ teaspoon salt 
• 1 ½ pounds ground beef chuck (1lb.)
• 1 (10 ounce) can tomato sauce (8 oz) ***
• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided ( I only had sharp cheddar)
  
  
  
  
  
  

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Heat oven to 350 degrees
• Step 2

  In a large bowl, combine the cornbread, half of the enchilada sauce, half of the cheese, and the salt. Crumble the beef into the mixture, and blend well using your hands. Shape meat into 1 inch balls, and place on a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan, or any cookie sheet with sides to catch the grease.(I used parchment paper for easy clean up)

• Step 3

  Bake for 18 to 22 minutes in the preheated oven, until the meat is cooked through.

• Step 4

  While the meatballs are cooking, warm the tomato sauce and remaining enchilada sauce in a saucepan. Remove the meatballs from the pan using a slotted spoon, and place in a serving dish. Pour the heated sauce over them, and sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. Provide toothpicks for serving.

  I did not put the sauce directly on the meatballs.  (I placed in a pourable gravy type dish)***

  Note:  Homemade baked fries.  Salt, olive oil, paprika and onion powder! *** Yummy!

  Enjoy!

  
  

  
  

Chicken broccoli cheese bake

I saw a similar recipe on a Pillsbury website but I didn’t have the items that their recipe called for so I made it my way.

It was very good and easy.

1 large boneless chicken breast cut in small pieces

2 cups whole milk

4 oz. mild cheddar cheese shredded 

2T butter

2T flour

1cup cooked broccoli 

4 large refrigerated biscuits cut into cubes

Sauté chicken in a small amount of oil (set aside)

I’m a medium size pot melt butter, add flour stirring constantly.  Whisk milk into butter flour mix over medium low heat. Add shredded cheddar cheese and continue to whisk until mixture starts to thicken. Add cooked chicken and broccoli.

Spray a medium size casserole with cooking spray..  Place cut biscuits in dish laying on bottom of dish.

Slowly pour chicken cheese broccoli carefully over biscuits.

Bake 350 degrees 20 to 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Campanelle, ricotta casserole

1 lb. Campanelle  or ziti pasta 

1 lb. Whole milk Ricotta 

5 or more cheese blend 

2 quarts meat sauce

Instead of using traditional penne pasta for this casserole I decided to change it up and add some interest to today’s  casserole. This type pasta reminds me of a seashell with deep indenting to allow the sauce to seep in.  We found it to be a nice twist to a basic penne pasta.

While pasta is cooking heat your meat sauce.

I cooked this pasta according to directions and drained well.

In the pot the pasta was cooked add half of sauce and the ricotta mixing to combine.  Add drained pasta.

In a large casserole dish spoon a few tablespoons of the sauce. Add mixed pasta and top with remainder of sauce and cheese.

Bake 350 degrees uncovered 20 to 30 minutes until cheese melts.

Don’t over bake or it will dry the top cover of your pasta.

I baked mine 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

I

Alfredo topped shrimp marinara

Hello to a New year and new recipes.

Today I decided to add some interest to my shrimp marinara and it proved to be a delicious addition.

Easy to make and using my favorite marinara jar sauce while making my quick homemade Alfredo sauce to add some added flavor.  It was a success!  We totally enjoyed it and I think you will too!

I Victoria’s jar Marinara sauce

**Homemade Alfredo sauce *** you can use jar Alfredo sauce 

3/4 lb. cleaned and deveined medium shrimp thawed (tails removed)

4T Butter

Extra virgin Olive oil

1clove minced garlic 

1lb. Penne pasta cooked according to directions

Pecorino Romano cheese or Parmesan cheese

Dried parsley 

Cook pasta according to directions while shrimp are sautéing and drain pasta well.

Lightly sauté shrimp in butter, garlic and olive oil.

Add marinara sauce to sautéed shrimp and heat on low until sauce had warmed.

**Make Alfredo sauce

4 T butter melted 

I cup heavy cream

1/3 or more cup Pecorino Romano cheese

Melt butter on low heat .  Slowly add heavy cream stirring until it starts to thicken slightly.  Add Romano cheese.  

Toss penne with half of  shrimp and marinara sauce.  Place in platter or bowl .  Add remaining marinara and using a large spoon drizzle Alfredo sauce generously over pasta.

A side salad compliments this wonderful dinner!

Happy Cooking!!

From my kitchen to yours,

Stuffed Pepper Loaf!

Remember this recipe?  If you haven't tried this easy meatloaf today might be the day :).  If you like the taste of peppers this meatloaf is really good and we loved the leftovers.

All this recipe requires is a few easy ingredients and you'll have a delicious meal to serve.  I put my thinking cap on and as I promised I'm bringing a new loaf to our table and hopefully yours too! Stuffed Pepper Loaf! 

I'm hoping you'll enjoy this new idea and I'll be doing a few more of these  EASY ONE PAN MEALS to help you spend less time in your kitchen but still bring good healthy meals to your family.  Enjoy!  Just add a salad and some fresh bread and you are going to make your family happy.

February 11/2012 first posted
Happy Cooking!
 

M.J

Today I started the day by going to the grocery store and buying some good quality ground beef and pork.

Let's see what I can make from that start.

1 lb. approximately beef and pork ground
1 medium onion chopped
1/2 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 cup orange pepper diced
1/2 cup green pepper diced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 egg slightly beaten
 1 -15 oz. Hunts sauce reserving 2 tablespoons sauce for to mix in with ingredients.

Mix ingredients..shape into loaf ..Spray loaf pan with cooking spray. Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour or more.. Take out of oven top with remainder of sauce and bake another 1/2 hour more. Note:  Times are approximate.  Test your loaf to make sure the juices are clear.

Easy to make and you can put it together the evening before, wrap it in plastic wrap and it's ready to bake when you get home from work!

From my kitchen to yours,

11/1/12

4/1/13