Beefy Casserole

11Jun09

I stole this one from Shelly at Loves to Nom…. I was looking for a easy recipe to use up some ground beef, and of course this one jumped out at me because it was full of cheese. This really reminded me of the flavor of the infamous taco bake recipe, but without the mexican spice to it. It was quick and easy to make, and DH and I both liked it

Ingredients:

 

• 3/4-1 pound of ground beef
• 2 1/2 cups of elbow macaroni (uncooked)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• half onion, diced
• 1 can tomato sauce
• Handfuls of shredded cheese (we used colby jack)

Directions:

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook the macaroni per package directions. Drain and dump into a 9×13 baking pan.
3. In the meantime, brown ground beef with onion. Drain.
4. Dump in the tomato sauce and cream cheese.
5. Reduce heat and cook until cream cheese melts in. Mix in sour cream.
6. Pour the mixture over the macaroni ( I mixed it all together at this point)
7. Cover with handfuls of cheese
8. Bake for 15 minutes, for bubbly brown cheese broil additional 2 minutes.

Filed under: Ground Beef   |  1 Comment

Impossibly easy cheeseburger pie!

10Jun09

This is a million years old recipe straight from the Bisquick box that I decided to try one day. It is not surprising to me why this recipe is still around after all these years. It was really tasty and extremely easy to make!!! I love it, and have made it several times since first trying this recipe…… if you are looking for a quick and easy way to use up some hamburger, this would be it!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese (of course I use about 1 1/2 cups at least!)
• 1/2 cup Original Bisquick mix
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs

Directions:

 

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 9 inch glass pie plate with cooking spray
2. In a skillet, cook ground beef and onion until browned. Drain. Stir in salt.
3. Spread beef mixture into pie plate
4. Sprinkle with shredded cheese
5. In small bowl, stir remaining ingredients with whisk until blended. Pour into pie plate.
6. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until knife inserted into center comes out clean

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Chicken Alfredo Pizza

10Jun09

I stole this recipe from Lindsay’s blog, and it was super yummy!!! Justin thought I was kind of crazy putting alfredo and chicken on a pizza (he is more of a pizza sauce and pepperoni pizza type of guy)! But, we both really liked it and it was easy to make! We received a pizza stone kit for our wedding and used it to make this….. it made it turn out really well! Thanks for another good one Linds <3

Ingredients:

• 1 prepared pizza crust
• 2 small or 1 large chicken breasts, cooked and cut into small pieces
• 1 cup of your favorite alfredo sauce (we like Classico brand)
• Minced garlic, to taste (we used a lot because we love garlic!)
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
• Bacon bits ( we omitted)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven according to pizza dough package instructions. If using a pizza stone kit, place the stone in the oven prior to preheating.
2. Mix alfredo sauce with minced garlic and appx. 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese (you can melt the cheese, but we chose not to)
3. If using a pizza stone kit, sprinkle the transfer board with cornmeal and place pizza dough on top.
4. Pour sauce onto pizza dough and spread evenly.
5. Add chicken pieces to pizza
6. Sprinkle cheese on top…. as usual I probably add way too much!
7. Bake in oven according to pizza dough instructions.

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ammmmazing and easy Pasta Salad

04Jun09

This may not be the most original pasta salad, or the most fancy, but is my go to pasta salad recipe. DH and I love it, and we have been found running to the grocery store on random weekend nights just to buy the ingredients to make it. My FIL has been making this recipe for as long as I have known my husband (eep 10 years) and it never gets old!!!

TIP: Stock up on the seasoning early, because in the summer it is almost always sold out from the stores!!!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb box of rotini pasta… some times I use the tri color pasta to make it prettier!
• 1 block sharp cheddar cheese, chopped into cubes
• 1 bock monterey jack cheese, chopped into cubes
• Celery, diced
• Carrots, chopped
• any other veggies you like- sometimes we add broccoli, which is good. (Total of about 3.5 cups veggies is good)
• 1 cup Kraft Seven Seas Italian Dressing (or your favorite Italian Dressing)
• 4 TBS McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning
• Depending on the day or my mood, we sometimes add diced ham or chopped up pepperoni.

Directions-

1. Boil pasta according to package directions, rinse with cold water.
2. Throw all ingredients except seasoning and dressing into large bowl with pasta, and mix well.
3. Add salad dressing and mix well
4. Add seasoning last…. this way bits of the seasoning stick to the cheese (YUM!)
5. ENJOY!

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Salisbury Steak and Garlic Fries

27Feb09

For some reason, I can’t cook chicken. I haven’t been able to since I became pregnant. I can eat it at a restaurant, but I can’t look at to cook it. Yuck. Sooo we had ground beef to use, and I wanted to find something new and easy to make. I found this recipe on Recipezaar. I personally have never had salisbury steak, and in all honesty thought it was truly steak. So I have no clue if this is what it is supposed to taste like… but it was GOOD! Hubby and I both ate it right up!!!

Ingredients:

 

• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can condensed golden mushroom soup, undiluted ( I used regular 98% fat free cream of mushroom, and it turned out fine)
• 1 1/2 lbs ground round
• 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• salt and pepper
• garlic salt or garlic powder
• 1/3 cup water

 

Directions:

 

1. Combine 1/4 cup soup with ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, salt, pepper, and garlic salt; mix well. DO NOT ADD THE WATER! (Yes I did this, and my patty’s were a wee bit soggy!)
2. Shape into 6 patties.
3. Place in shallow baking dish.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
5. Drain off fat. (TIP- to avoid this step, place the patties on pieces of bread before baking. When you get to this step, remove the grease soaked bread, and continue. I did it and it worked awesome
6. Combine remaining soup and water; pour over patties.
7. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated.

Garlic Fries

YUM! I found these on Lindsay’s blog, I decided to trick my potato hating husband, and get him to eat real potatoes by making them into fries. These were REALLY easy, and so delicious. The husband actually ate them, which is a huge accomplishment around here when it comes to potatoes! I think I needed to use more EVOO, because they were really stuck to the pan when I was done baking them.

Ingredients:

 

* 2-3 potatoes for two people ( I used one GIGANTIC potato)

* Garlic powder

* Salt and pepper 

* EVOO

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Cut potatoes into french fry strips. Toss with EVOO, salt, pepper, garlic (and any other seasonings you like!)

3. Bake in oven for 30-45 minutes or until crispy.

Filed under: Ground Beef, Potatoes   |  Leave a Comment

mmm Meatballs

27Feb09

As I mentioned  a few posts ago, in the first few months of pregnancy I have maybe cooked for my husband twice, and once was his birthday dinner! The other day I was off work, and I actually had some energy, so I decided to make him his favorite meal, spaghetti with homemade meatballs.

Ok, in all honesty I used canned sauce. I am sorry, I may have had SOME energy, but not enough to make homemade sauce! Luckily, hubby is not picky when it comes to pasta sauce.

But the meatballs… SO GOOD! You could probably use them for all different variations of recipes. Even I ate them, which is a huge feat lately!!

Oh yes, and I was too hungry to take a picture before I mixed them into the sauce! Sorry!

Ingredients:

 

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1 large egg, slightly beaten
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup breadcrumbs (or use enough to hold the meat together)
• 1-2 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (or use 1 teaspoon garlic powder or to taste)
• 1-2 teaspoon salt 
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup milk 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (optional, or to taste)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tablespoons dried parsley)

 

Directions:

This varies… the original recipe called for making them in the sauce… since I was using canned sauce I chose to not do this. Not to mention I have a small issue with worrying about undercooked meat haha. I baked the meatballs at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

 

1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Shape into small meatballs (at this point you can place on a jelly-roll/baking sheet and freeze to use later, or cover with plastic wrap refrigerate up to 24 hours before using).
3. Drop the meatballs into simmering pasta sauce, do not stir for at least 20 minutes or you will risk breaking the meatballs.
4. Continue cooking in the simmering sauce for another 20 minutes (depending on how fast your sauce is simmering 40 minutes total should fully cook the meatballs).
5. After the 40 minutes cooking time continue cooking your sauce with the meatballs in for as long as desired.
6. **note** you may also bake the meatballs at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until cooked through

Filed under: Ground Beef, Italian   |  Leave a Comment

Oreo Cupcakes…

27Feb09

So me ( I mean baby) was craving cupcakes last weekend, and I had the ingredients on hand to try Beantown Baker’s recipe I had been eyeing! In truth, she has a second recipe that looks even better, but I didn’t have the ingredients on hand, and I REALLY wanted a cupcake!

The verdict: The cupcakes were REALLY yummy…. I halved the recipe so I wouldn’t eat two dozen cupcakes, and I was really happy with them. The frosting I made, from some random easy to throw together recipe, was gross. I had to pick it off, and I really don’t think I will share it with you. I think next time I will make a whipped frosting like suggested in the original recipe, or use the yummy store bought kind

Ingredients: (This full recipe makes 24 cupcakes)

• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 2/3 cup sugar
• 3 large egg whites, at room temperature
• 1 cup chocolate sandwich cookies, lightly crushed

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 350F. Insert liners into a medium cupcake pan.
2. In a large bowl cream together the butter, milk, and vanilla with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
3. In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
4. Add the dry ingredients to butter mixture. Mix until integrated. Stir in sugar. 
5. With an electric mixer on low speed, beat for 30 seconds. Turn the mixer up to medium speed and beat for 2 minutes. 
6. Add the egg whites. Beat for 2 more minutes. Stir in the crushed cookies.
7. Fill the cupcake lines three-quarters full. 
8. Bake for about 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of cupcakes comes out clean. 
9. Cool cupcakes in the pan.

Use frosting of your choice (not mine!) and top with remaining crushed Oreos!

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Dear Blog world, I am pregnant….

27Feb09

Yes it is official, the husband and I made the big announcement last week. I am currently 13 weeks, and now you have a reason that there has been almost ZERO new things made by me the last few months. Can I just say by poor husband has had to take over in the kitchen!!!! 

This may also explain any weird things I may blog about eating in the future!

xoxo

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Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Lasagna and Garlic Bubble Bread!

26Feb09

Ok, obviously this post is just a few weeks old, but better late then never! Valentine’s day also happens to be my amazing husband’s birthday, so of course I made him the birthday dinner of his choice. Not to my surprise, he requested Pioneer Woman’s Lasagna that I made back in December. It was good then, and it was great this time too! 

I also made a heart shaped garlic bubble bread that was REALLY good… I mean way better than I thought it would be! You should try it!

Enjoy! <3 <3 <3

This is the link to when I made the lasagna last time!

BEST LASAGNA EVER!

And here is the recipe for the bread! Warning, it needs to rise for an hour before cooking, so plan ahead!

Garlic Bubble Bread

Ingredients:

 

• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 loaf frozen bread dough, thawed

 

Directions:

1. 1. In a bowl, combined butter, parsley, garlic powder and garlic salt.
   2. Cut dough into 1″ pieces; dip into butter mixture. ( I just ripped off pieces!)
   3. Layer in a greased 9″ x 5″ x 3″ loaf pan.
   4. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
   5. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Filed under: Ground Beef, Italian   |  Leave a Comment

Super Bowl Sunday

14Feb09

We had people over this year for the Super Bowl, and I made several yummy things. The menu included: Chocolate Krispy Footballs, Buffalo Chicken (AKA Crack Dip), Veggie Pizza, and Hot Pizza Dip. I have pictures and recipes for all!!

Chocolate Football’s

I made this for the super bowl last year, and people told me they wouldn’t come over this year if I didn’t make them again! They are fun to make, and fairly easy as well!!!

Ingredients:

• 6 squares Bakers semi-sweet baking chocolate
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon butter (we used light)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 cups of Cocoa Pebbles
• White decorating gel

Directions:

1. Microwave chocolate, corn syrup and butter in large bowl on HIGH for 2 1/2 minutes. Stirring after 1 1/2 minutes.
2. Stir in vanilla. 
3. Add cereal. Mix well.
4. Cool for 10 minutes.
5. Shape into 18 (3 inch long) football shapes with lightly moistened hands. 
6. Place on wax paper. Use decorating gel to add laces. Let stand until laces are firm.

 

Veggie Pizza

I have already blogged this recipe before, here is the link- Veggie Pizza! For fun, a picture!

 

 

Buffalo Chicken Dip (AKA “Crack Dip”)

I have been hearing about this dip forever on the nest’s What’s Cooking board, but I have never really had a good occasion when I felt like making it. When I decided to have people over for the game this year, I knew this would be absolutely perfect. I am not a fan of buffalo wings or spicy stuff, so I didn’t eat this, but my guests ate it up. They said it was amazing, and I believe them. It was very easy to make, and I will definitely make it again!

Ingredients:

• 2 cans white meat chicken ( the big cans) drained. Our grocery store only had the tuna sized cans, so we used 4. (NOTE to blog readers: If I was going to be eating this I would use real chicken. The canned chicken honestly makes me want to gag……) If you want to use real chicken, use 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded, about 4 cups.
• 3/4 cup Frank’s red hot sauce… other recipes say to use 12 oz, I guess it’s personal preference.
• 1 cup ranch or bleu cheese dressing. We used Ranch.
• 2 packages of cream cheese, for a total of 16 oz, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (we used Mild)

Directions:

1. Mix cream cheese, dressing, and buffalo sauce until well blended.
2. Add chicken, mix well
3. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese
4. Place mixture into crock pot and heat on high until hot, reduce heat to low or warm for serving.

We ate the dip with Fritos scoops and celery!

Molly’s Hot Pizza Dip

I saw this recipe on Molly’s blog, and knew I had to make it! I am so glad I did, because it turned out really yummy. It was also really easy to put together and bake. I will for sure be making this one again. 

Sorry about the pic, we dug in before we remembered to photograph it haha!

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 oz). cream cheese, softened 
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (of course I ran out… thankfully my spice rack had a seasoning called “pizza seasoning” so we used that. It was perfect!)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¾ cup grated fresh parmesan cheese
• 1 (8 oz) pizza sauce
• ¼ cup diced green bell pepper, sliced green onions or sliced green onions (we omitted)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Combine cream cheese and seasoning mix; spread onto bottom of dish.
3. In small bowl, combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese mixture over cream cheese mixture. Top with pizza sauce, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese mixture. 
4. Bake 15-20 minutes or until bubbly. Top with bell pepper or onion if using!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed under: Appetizers, Chicken, Cookies, Italian   |  1 Comment