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Tag: Ground Meat

Beef and Cabbage Wraps

Beef and Cabbage Wraps

 

8 8-inch flour tortillas

12 oz. lean ground beef

1/2 C. chopped onion (1 medium)

1 C. frozen whole kernel corn

1/2 to 2/3 C. bottled barbecue sauce

2 C. packaged shredded cabbage with carrot (coleslaw mix)

 

Wrap tortillas tightly in foil; place on baking sheet. Heat in 350 degrees F oven 10 minutes or until heated through. Meanwhile, in large skillet cook beef and onion until beef is brown and onion is tender. Drain. Stir in corn and 1/3 C. barbecue sauce. Cook and stir until heated through. To serve, spread one side of tortillas with some of the remaining barbecue sauce. Spoon about 1/2 C. filling on each tortilla. Add shredded cabbage mix. Roll to make wraps.

Quick Beef and Rice

Quick Beef and Rice

 

1 pound ground beef or turkey

2 cups rice

1 package onion soup mix

4 cups water

1 15 oz. can cream of mushroom soup

 

Brown the ground meat and drain if necessary. Add soup mix, rice, soup, and water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, till rice is done.  Options: You can leave out the cream of soup if you don’t have it or just make a simple white sauce. If you don’t have any onion soup mix, sauté an onion and add 2 tsp. beef bouillon instead.

Baked Beans with Hamburger

Baked Beans with Hamburger

Baked Beans with Hamburger1 pound ground beef

2 (28-ounce) cans Bush’s Barbecue Baked Beans

1 (28-ounce) can Bush’s Bold and Spicy Baked Beans

1 bunch green onions

¾ C. brown sugar

1 tsp. barbecue sauce

1 tsp. mustard

Brown ground beef in skillet. Chop green onions. Combine all ingredients (cooked ground beef, baked beans, onions, brown sugar, barbecue sauce and mustard) in Crock-Pot or baking dish. Bake, covered, at 300 degrees for 2 hours or simmer in Crock-Pot for at least 3 hours.

 

Yield:

Calories:

Fat:

Fiber:

Impossible Pies – Savory

Impossible Pies – Savory

Impossible Pies - Savory¾ C. Bisquick
½ – 1 ½ C. Milk
2 Eggs

Fillings of choice – about 3 C. total

Grease a 9” pie pan. Layer in your filling ingredients. Mix bisquick, milk and eggs together. You can use milk plus another liquid as well, such as milk and stock, or mix in a little mustard, etc. It seems to be very forgiving in how much liquid to be added. You can season your “crust” with herbs and spices to match your filling choice if desired. Pour over filling. Bake at 400 degrees for 30-340 minutes, until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Cheeseburger
Taco
Quesadilla
Chicken Pot Pie
Crab Cake
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Ham & Swiss
Barbecue Beef
Chicken & Broccoli
Vegetable
Chiles Rellenos
Sausage & Cheese Breakfast Bake

Pizza Muffins

Pizza Muffins

 

8 ounces ground 90% lean turkey or beef

1 1/2 C. Bisquick Reduced Fat Baking Mix

1/4 C. grated Kraft fat-free Parmesan cheese — 3/4 oz.

1 tsp. pizza or Italian seasoning

1 tsp. dried parsley flakes

1 tsp. dried onion flakes

1/4 C. green bell pepper — chopped

3/4 C. fresh tomato — chopped

1/3 C. shredded Kraft reduced-fat Cheddar cheese — 1 1/2 oz.

1/3 C. skim milk

2 tsp. vegetable oil

1 whole egg — or equivalent in egg substitute

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 8 wells of a 12-hole muffin pan with butter-flavored cooking spray or line with paper liners.  In a large skillet sprayed with olive-oil-flavored cooking spray, brown meat. Place skillet on a wire rack and allow to cool. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine baking mix, Parmesan cheese, pizza seasoning, parsley flakes, and onion flakes. Stir in green pepper, tomato, and Cheddar cheese.  In a small bowl, combine skim milk, vegetable oil, and egg. Mix well to combine. Add milk mixture to baking mix mixture. Mix gently just to combine. Fold in cooled, browned meat. Fill 8 muffin wells full. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Place muffin pan on a wire rack and let set 5 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and continue cooling on wire rack. Serve at once. Serves 8.

 

Yield: 8 muffins

Calories: 179

Fat: 7g

Fiber: 1g

Quick Skillet Lasagna

Quick Skillet Lasagna

 

3 C. (6 ounces) dried mafalda (mini lasagna) noodles

12 ounces lean ground beef or bulk pork sausage

1 26- to 27-3/4-ounce jar tomato-base pasta sauce

1-1/2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)

1/4 C. grated Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)

 

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, cook meat in a 10-inch nonstick skillet until meat is brown; drain. Set meat aside. Wipe skillet with paper towel. Spread about half of the cooked pasta in the skillet. Cover with about half of the sauce. Spoon cooked meat over sauce. Sprinkle with 1 C. of the mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining pasta and sauce. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over top. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until heated through and cheese melts. Remove skillet from heat and let stand, covered, for 1 minute. Makes 6 servings.

Saucy Meatball Sandwiches

Saucy Meatball Sandwiches

1/2 pound ground turkey

1/2 pound ground beef

3/4 C. breadcrumbs

2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T.p. fresh parsley, chopped

2 T.p. grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg, beaten

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 C. Coarsely Chopped Onion

1 C. shredded cheese

French Baguettes or Hoagie rolls

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ground turkey with ground beef thoroughly. Add next 6ingredients and shape into meatballs. Place meatballs into a 9 x 13 baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until cooked through. Remove dish from oven and add spaghetti sauce and onions. Bake another 10 minutes or until sauce is heated. Serve on buns with cheese sprinkled on top of meatballs. Place back in warm oven to melt cheese, if desired. You can also use frozen meatballs; add to sauce and onions on stovetop. Bring to boiling and then reduce heat and simmer, covered, about ten minutes, until meatballs are thawed and sauce is hot; stirring occasionally.

Sheet Pan Meatballs and Sausage

Sheet Pan Meatballs and Sausage

Sheet Pan Meatballs and Sausage

2 T. olive oil

1 onion, finely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tsp. dried oregano

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

4 slices hearty white sandwich bread

3/4 C. milk

1 lb sweet Italian sausage links

1 C. parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 C. chopped fresh parsley leaves

2 large eggs

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 tsp. salt

2 1/2 lb. ground beef chuck

 

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onions until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Add garlic, oregano, and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a large bowl to slightly cool.   Meanwhile, adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and preheat oven to 475 degrees. Mash the bread and milk with the onion mixture.  Remove the casings from two of the sausage links and add to the bread mixture along with the parmesan, parsley, eggs, garlic, and salt.  Mix well with your hands to combine.  Add the ground beef and knead with your hands until well combined. Form mixture into 2 1/2-inch meatballs (you should have about 16 meatballs), and place on rimmed baking sheet.  Arrange the remaining sausages around the meatballs and bake until well browned, about 20 minutes. Once your meatballs and sausage are cooked, you can transfer them to your favorite sauce to simmer for a bit and add flavor to it, fill some hoagie rolls with them and top with mozzarella, or freeze for later use!

Bite-Size Taco Turnovers

Bite-Size Taco Turnovers

1/2 lb. ground beef

1/4 C. taco sauce

2 tsp. chili powder

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1 10-ounce package refrigerated pizza dough

1/4 C. shredded American cheese or cheddar cheese

1 egg

1 tsp. water

For filling, cook ground beef in a small skillet until brown. Drain off fat. Stir in taco sauce, chili powder, onion powder and garlic powder. Set aside. Unroll pizza dough. Roll dough into a 14×10-1/2-inch rectangle. Cut into twelve 3-1/2-inch squares. Divide filling among dough squares. Sprinkle with cheese. Brush edges with water. Lift one corner of each square and stretch dough to the opposite corner, making a triangle. Press edges well with a fork to seal.  Arrange on a greased baking sheet. Prick with fork. Combine egg and the 1 tsp. water; brush onto turnovers. Bake in a 425 degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Sheet Pan Meat Lovers Breakfast Pizza

Sheet Pan Meat Lovers Breakfast Pizza

Sheet Pan Meat Lovers Breakfast Pizza

2 pkgs. Crescent Dough Sheets

½ lb. Ground Chuck

4 slices Bacon cooked crumbled

½ pkg. 8 oz. Jimmy Dean Sausage (or your favorite)

6 thin slices sandwich Ham cut into strips or smaller

7 ounces Pepperoni slices (one small package)

2 C. Shredded Hash Browns thawed

2 C. Shredded Cheese Cheddar or a blend of your favorites

6 eggs

¼ C. milk

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. ground black pepper

4 tsp. grated Parmesan Cheese

 

Preheat oven to 375F. Take crescent roll dough out of fridge 15 minutes before using. Spray jelly roll pan (10×15) with nonstick spray. Combine eggs, milk, salt, pepper and Parmesan together and set aside. In a large skillet, brown the ground chuck, bacon and sausage and drain. Spread the dough in the pan and up the sides. Pinch the seams together. Spread the hash browns over the dough. Spread the ground chuck mixture, ham and pepperoni over the hash browns. Spread the cheese over the meat. Pour the egg mixture on top the cheese. Lightly sprinkle all with grated Parmesan Cheese. Bake pizza at 375F for 25-30 minutes or until eggs are set in the middle.

Crescent Dough Cabbage & Beef Bundles

Crescent Dough Cabbage & Beef Bundles

Crescent Dough Cabbage & Beef Bundles

1/3 C. mayonnaise

2 tsp. horseradish

 

1 pound ground beef

1/3 C. diced onion

4 C. chopped Napa cabbage

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 C. shredded Cheddar cheese

2 cans (8 oz ea) crescent rolls

 

Combine the mayonnaise and horseradish in a small bowl and mix completely. Refrigerate until needed.  Preheat the oven to 375ºF.  Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high-heat until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. In the last few minutes, add the onions and cook until the onion is soft. Drain, if needed.  Add the cabbage, salt, and pepper; stir to mix. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until the cabbage is crisp-tender, stirring occasionally, about 10-15 minutes.  Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.  Stir in the cheese. Separate the crescent dough into 16 triangles, pressing each triangle out slightly to form a larger triangle. Spoon about 1/4 C. beef mixture on shortest side of each triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side of triangle, gently wrapping dough around beef mixture and rolling to opposite point. Pinch edges to seal. Place point side down on ungreased large cookie sheet.. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve the bundles with the horseradish mayo for dipping.

Homemade Philly Cheesesteak Hamburger Helper

Homemade Philly Cheesesteak Hamburger Helper

Homemade Philly Cheesesteak Hamburger Helper

1 pound ground beef

1 large sweet onion, diced

1 large green bell pepper, diced

8 ounces brown mushrooms, chopped

2 tsp. ketchup

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. Kosher salt

1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

4 C. beef or chicken broth

8 ounces elbow macaroni

4 ounces provolone cheese slices, chopped (or 4 ounces shredded)

2 tsp. minced parsley, for garnish

Method

 

Add the ground beef to a large deep skillet over medium high heat. Cook until a brown crust appears before breaking the beef apart. Sauté until no longer pink. Add the onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring periodically, until the vegetables are soft and the mushrooms have released their liquid. Add the broth, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper to the pan and stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then add macaroni. Cover with a tight fitting lid and cook for 5-7 minutes or until noodles are just barely al dente (do not overcook), stirring once to make sure nothing is sticking. Remove cover, reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for another 5 minutes to thicken before serving. Turn off the heat, add in the provolone cheese and stir until melted and well combined. Garnish with minced parsley. Serve.

Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper

Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper

Homemade Cheeseburger Macaroni Hamburger Helper

1 pound ground beef

1 medium onion, diced

2 large cloves garlic, minced

2 1/2 C. beef broth

1 tsp. yellow mustard

1/2 C. ketchup

1/4 C. tomato paste

1 tsp. pickle juice (optional)

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

8 ounces macaroni

1 C. (4 ounces) cheddar cheese, grated

Scallions, chopped, for serving (optional)

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the beef, onions and garlic, breaking apart the meat as you go, until the onions are soft and the meat cooked through. Drain off grease and return pan to heat.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the beef broth, mustard, ketchup, tomato paste, pickle juice (if using), salt, and pepper. Add to meat. Bring the meat mixture to a boil, then add macaroni. Reduce the heat to medium low, and cover. Continue cooking for 10 to 12 minutes, until the pasta is tender (check it a couple of times during cooking to make sure the pasta isn’t sticking to the bottom).  When the macaroni is done, sprinkle the grated cheese on top. Stir until melted, about 1 minute. Top with scallions, if desired, and serve immediately.

Wild Rice Hot Dish

Wild Rice Hot Dish

1 lb. ground beef

1 green pepper

1 C. celery, chopped

1 can mushrooms

1/2 pkg. slivered almonds

1 can mushroom soup

4 C. canned chicken broth

1 C. wild rice, washed

1 T. soy sauce

Pinch of rosemary

Handful of cranberries (preferably fresh, although dried will work, too)

 

Brown first four ingredients in a pan. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bake at 375 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Rice will soak up the broth and pop open. After 1 hour, put the cranberries on the top of the hot dish. This will give the dish a surprisingly tart flavor when the berries are mixed in with the rest of the hot dish.

Macaroni and Beef Hot Dish

Macaroni and Beef Hot Dish

1 lb. elbow macaroni

1 medium onion, chopped

1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained

1 28 oz. can Italian tomatoes with liquid, broken up (may want to add 1 smaller can, too…drain and reserve liquid, in case it is needed)

Salt and pepper

2 C. shredded cheddar or mozzarella

 

Cook macaroni until just tender. Brown beef with onions and drain. Mix macaroni, meat and tomatoes, season. Pour half into a lightly buttered casserole and top with half of cheese. Add remainder of mixture and top with remainder of cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

VARIATIONS: You can add oregano, chopped garlic, Italian seasoning, etc.

Tamale Pie

Tamale Pie

2 lbs. ground beef

1 large chopped onion

1 large chopped green bell pepper

1 C. tomato sauce

1 can chopped black olives

1 1/2 C. yellow corn meal

3/4 lbs. shredded cheddar cheese

1 tsp. ground cumin or 2 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/2 tsp. salt (once again)

 

To a large skillet add ground beef, onion, green pepper, cumin, salt and pepper. Saute until beef is browned and veggies are soft. Drain fat from pan. Add tomato sauce and stir until boiling. In medium sauce pan, stir 2 1/2 C. water, corn meal and 1/2 tsp. salt. Bring mixture to boil until thickened. Grease huge casserole (hot dish) dish, coat bottom of casserole (hot dish) dish with half the corn meal mixture, pour beef mixture into casserole (hot dish), cover top with chopped or sliced black olives. Layer cheddar cheese over top of that. Spoon remainder of hot corn meal mixture over entire top. If need be, make another batch of corn meal mixture for top. Bake at 350 degrees until top is golden brown and bubbly.

Bacon & Beef Hot Dish

Bacon & Beef Hot Dish

3-4 strips bacon (more if you use center cut)

1 C. diced celery

1 C. diced green pepper

1 C. diced onion

1 lb. lean ground beef

3 C. cooked rice

1 can tomato soup

salt & pepper to taste

 

Dice bacon and cook over low heat to render most of the fat without overcooking — you want it a bit short of crumbly. Remove to large mixing bowl. Leave a T. or so of fat in pan. Raise heat to medium high and add vegetables and salt and pepper to taste. Sauté vegetables until tender. Don’t brown. I start with the celery and give it an extra minute or two. Add vegetables to bacon in mixing bowl. Brown ground beef, breaking into fairly small pieces. Drain and add to bacon and vegetables. Add rice and mix thoroughly. Add soup and mix again. Taste and adjust seasoning. Put in casserole (hot dish) dish and bake covered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour. Bacon never tasted so good!

Taco Braid

Taco Braid

1 teaspoon active dry yeast

2 tablespoons sugar, divided

3/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°), divided

2 tablespoons butter, softened

2 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups all-purpose flour

FILLING:

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)

1/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

2 tablespoons taco seasoning

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup sliced ripe olives

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1 teaspoon sugar in 1/2 cup water; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the butter, milk powder, egg, salt, remaining sugar and water and 1-1/2 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.  Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to greased top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.  In a large skillet, cook beef and mushrooms over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Set aside 1 tablespoon beaten egg. Stir remaining egg into beef mixture. Cool completely.  Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; roll into a 15-in. x 12-in. rectangle. Place on a greased baking sheet. Spread filling lengthwise down center third of rectangle. Sprinkle with cheese and olives.  On each long side, cut 1-in.-wide strips about 2-1/2 in. into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.  Brush with reserved egg. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. Yield: 12-16 servings.

You can use 1 1/2 cans of crescent rolls instead of making your own dough.  Lay the three blocks of dough next to each other and pinch up all the perforations to make a single sheet of dough.

Taco Meatloaf

Taco Meatloaf

 

3 eggs, lightly beaten

2 cups picante sauce, divided

1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 can (11 ounces) Mexicorn, drained

1 medium onion, chopped

2 cans (2-1/4 ounces each) sliced ripe olives, drained

3/4 cup dry bread crumbs

1 envelope taco seasoning

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

2 pounds ground beef

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Additional picante sauce, optional

 

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, 1/2 cup picante sauce, beans, corn, onion, olives, bread crumbs, taco seasoning, cumin and chili powder. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well.  Pat into two ungreased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pans. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until no pink remains and a meat thermometer reads 160°.  Spoon remaining picante sauce over each meat loaf; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with additional picante sauce if desired. Yield: 2 meat loaves (6 servings each).

Sour Cream Casserole Hot Dish

Sour Cream Casserole Hot Dish

1 lb. lean ground beef

12 oz. egg noodles

8 oz. sour cream

8 oz. cream cheese

4 oz. grated sharp cheddar cheese

2 cans tomato sauce

1 bunch green onions

 

Brown ground beef, season to taste with garlic salt and/or pepper, and drain fat. Add tomato sauce and simmer while you cook the noodles according to package instructions. Mix the sour cream and cream cheese. Chop up onion and add all chopped onion minus a handful of green top to the sour cream/cream cheese mixture. Rinse and dry noodles. Layer a 13×9 pan with half of each: noodles, hamburger, & then sour cream/cream cheese/onion mixture. Repeat. Top off the layers with the grated cheddar cheese and for style and color, sprinkle the handful of chopped green onion top. Cover & bake to heat through and melt cheddar at 350 degrees. Serve with salad/bread/cold beverage. And a dish from Aunt Sunny would not be complete without parsley garnish.

15 Minute Hamburger Stroganoff

15 Minute Hamburger Stroganoff

1 lb. hamburger

8 to 10 oz. bag wide egg noodles

1 can cream of mushroom soup

3 T.p. sour cream

2 T.p. chopped onion

Salt and pepper

1 sm. can sliced mushrooms (optional)

 

Brown hamburger with chopped onion, salt and pepper, browning meat to taste. Drain off drippings.

While meat is browning, boil water for cooking egg noodles. Salt water, if desired. Cook noodles to desired tenderness. Drain off water. Add to drained hamburger mixture 1 can cream of mushroom soup and 3 T. sour cream. Stir over medium heat. Add can of drained mushrooms. Heat thoroughly. Add hamburger mixture to drained noodles or serve hamburger mixture over noodles.

Lamb Ragu with Mint

Lamb Ragu with Mint

Lamb Ragu with Mint

1 lb. rigatoni pasta

2 T. olive oil

2 shallots, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 lb. ground lamb

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

1 C. red wine

4 C. marinara sauce, store-bought or home made

1/2 C. fresh mint leaves, torn

1/2 C. ricotta cheese

 

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta. Meanwhile, in a large skillet warm the olive oil over high heat. Add the shallots and the garlic and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Add the ground lamb, salt, and pepper. Cook until the lamb has browned and the juices have evaporated. Add the wine, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon. Simmer until the wine has reduced by half. Add the marinara sauce and simmer over low heat until the flavors have blended, about 10 minutes. Add the mint and ricotta and stir until mixed. Add the pasta and stir to coat. Serve immediately.

 

Giada’s Homemade Marinara Sauce:  1/2 C. extra-virgin olive oil , 2 small onions, finely chopped , 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped , 2 stalks celery, finely chopped , 2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped , 1/2 tsp. sea salt , 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper , 2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes, 2 dried bay leaves In a large casserole pot, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, and 1/2 tsp. of each salt and pepper. Sauté until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and bay leaves, and simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thickens, about 1 hour. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Season the sauce with more salt and pepper, to taste. (The sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)

Ground Beef Flautas

Ground Beef Flautas

2 lbs ground beef

1 tsp. Salt

2 T. Chili powder

2 T. Paprika

1 tsp. Cumin

1 tsp. Garlic powder or 2 cloves

1/2 diced Bell pepper

1/2 diced medium Onion

12 corn tortillas

 

In 2 quart sauce pan add ground beef, salt, chili powder, garlic, cumin, paprika. Enough water to cover meat. Bring to a boil. Simmer over medium low heat about an hour. Then add 1/2 medium chopped onion, 1/2 medium chopped bell pepper continue cooking 20 or 30 more minutes. For beef flautas: Heat oil in skillet. Cook corn tortillas, one at a time, in hot oil until soft, about 5 to 10 seconds; drain. Strain liquid, then spoon 1 T. of the beef meat in center of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla around the beef filling into flute shape. Use toothpicks to hold the tortilla in the flute shape. Fry beef flautas approximately 2-3 minutes or until tortilla holds its shape. Remove the toothpicks and serve 2-3 flautas on a plate.

Belize Beef on Spiced Potatoes

Belize Beef on Spiced Potatoes

1 pound ground beef round

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) zesty diced tomatoes, undrained

1-1/2 tsp. jarred minced garlic

1 tsp. Caribbean jerk seasoning

2 large unpeeled baking potatoes, such as russets (8 to 10 oz. each)

 Salt, pepper and Caribbean jerk seasoning

 

Topping:

1/2 C. plain yogurt

3/4 tsp. jarred minced garlic

1/2 tsp. Caribbean jerk seasoning

 

Brown ground beef in large nonstick skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes or until beef is not pink, breaking up into small crumbles. Pour off drippings. Reserve 1 T. diced tomatoes. Add remaining tomatoes with liquid, 1-1/2 tsp. garlic and 1 tsp. jerk seasoning to beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover skillet; continue simmering 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.  Meanwhile cut potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices; pierce in several places with a fork. Dip in cold water; sprinkle lightly with salt, pepper and jerk seasoning. Place in single layer on nonstick baking pan. Broil 3 to 6 inches from heat 10 to 12 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, turning once.  Combine topping ingredients and reserved 1 T. tomatoes in small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Spoon beef mixture over potatoes. Serve with topping.

 

Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 370 (85% lean ground beef)

Fat: 15g

Fiber:  

Taco Pockets

Taco Pockets

1 1/3 lb. ground sirloin or ground turkey breast

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 T. (a palmful) ground cumin

1 T., (a palmful) dark chili powder

1 tsp. cayenne pepper sauce

1 tsp. (1/3 palmful) coarse salt,

1 T. (1 turn around the pan) vegetable oil,

4(12-inch diameter) soft flour tortillas

1 C. mild taco sauce

1 heart of romaine lettuce, shredded

2 small plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped

2 C. shredded monterey jack

Accompaniments:

Cut fresh seasonal vegetable pieces and strips

Assorted organic tortillas like blue corn, red corn or black bean

Prepared mild salsa, for dipping chips and vegetables, recipe follows

 

Combine ground meat with onion, garlic, spices, and salt and form 4 patties. Pan fry patties in 1 T. oil over medium high heat for 7 minutes on each side. To make a taco pocket, blister a flour tortilla on a hot griddle pan for 30 seconds on each side. Place tortilla on dinner plate and spread surface with 1 /4 C. mild taco sauce. Pile shredded lettuce, tomatoes and a handful of cheese in center of tortilla. Top veggies and cheese with cooked taco burger patty and wrap tortilla up and over patty on all four sides. Turn square pouch over and cut from corner to corner, making 2 taco pockets that will not crumble and drip like traditional tacos. Serve taco pockets with cut fresh seasonal veggies, assorted tortilla chips and mild salsa for dipping.

Homemade Beefaroni

Homemade Beefaroni

 

1 lb. ground beef

2 14.5 oz cans tomato sauce

1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 C. water

1 T. sugar

1 t. each garlic powder, salt and Italian seasoning

1/4 t. black pepper

1 lb. cooked pasta (I used the new Barilla piccolini ziti, because of it’s closeness in shape to the traditional beefaroni noodles, but any shape would be fine.)

 

Brown ground beef in a sauce pan and drain. Stir in remaining ingredients, except the pasta. Simmer for about 10 minutes, to let the flavors combine. Stir in the pasta until coated. Enjoy!

Taco Muffins

Taco Muffins

1 pound ground beef

3/4 C. water

1 envelope taco seasoing

1/4 C. butter, softened

1/4 C. sugar

1 egg

1-3/4 C. all-purpose flour

4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 C. buttermilk

1 C. salsa

1 C. (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

 

In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add water and taco seasoning; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Cool.  In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Combine dry ingredients; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in meat mixture.  Fill greased muffin C. two-thirds full. Bake at 425° for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Carefully remove muffins to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Top each with salsa and cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. Yield: about 16 muffins. To serve Taco Muffins as an appetizer, bake in miniature muffin C., reducing the baking time, and have your guests top their own servings with salsa and cheese.

Easy & Creamy Italian Skillet Dinner

Easy & Creamy Italian Skillet Dinner

1/2 lb. ground beef

1/2 onion, diced

1/2 green pepper, diced

1 t. salt

1 t. garlic powder

1 T. Italian seasoning

1 80z. can tomato sauce

1 15oz. can diced tomatoes

1 16oz. container ricotta cheese

1/2 lb. pasta, cooked and drained (I used bowtie pasta)

1 C. mozzarella cheese, shredded

 

In a large skillet, cook ground beef with onions and green pepper. Season with salt, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Drain when browned. Add tomato sauce and diced tomatoes to skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in ricotta cheese until combined. Stir in pasta. Sprinkle cheese on top, cover and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy. This is super Stolen Moments friendly. After step 2, place in refrigerator. Warm over low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with cheese once warmed and serve.

Beef Triangles with Chutney Sauce

Beef Triangles with Chutney Sauce

1/2 C. plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 C. mango chutney
1 lb. ground chuck
1/2 C. chopped onion
1/3 C. dried currants
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. ground red pepper
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/2 C. water
1 T. cornstarch
15 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
Butter-flavored vegetable cooking spray

Combine yogurt and mango chutney in a bowl; stir well, and set chutney sauce aside. Cook meat and onion in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until browned, stirring to crumble. Drain meat mixture in a colander; wipe drippings from skillet with a paper towel. Return meat mixture to skillet. Add currants and next 6 ingredients (currants through black pepper); stir well. Combine water and cornstarch; stir well, and add to the meat mixture. Cook over medium heat 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; set aside. Working with 1 phyllo sheet at a time, cut each sheet lengthwise into 4 (3 1/2-inch-wide) strips; lightly coat strips with cooking spray (cover remaining phyllo dough to keep it from drying out). Stack 2 strips, and spoon about 1 T. meat mixture onto one end of each stack. Fold the left bottom corner over mixture, forming a triangle; keep folding back and forth into a triangle to end of strip. Place triangles, seam sides down, on a baking sheet; lightly coat with cooking spray. Bake at 400� for 12 minutes or until golden. Serve warm with chutney sauce.

Yield: 30 appetizers
Serving size: 1 triangle and 1 1/2 tsp. sauce

Calories: 82
Fat: 3g
Fiber: 0g

Chipotle Tamale Pie

Chipotle Tamale Pie

1 3/4 C. chopped onion
3/4 C. chopped green bell pepper
3/4 lb. ground round
1/2 C. bottled salsa
1 to 2 T. bottled chipotle sauce (such as La Preferidia) or hot sauce
1 (15 1/2-oz.) can pinto beans in zesty sauce (such as S&W), undrained
1 (14.5-oz.) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, drained
3/4 C. chopped fresh cilantro, divided
1 C. all-purpose flour
3/4 C. yellow cornmeal
2 T. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 C. 1% low-fat milk
1 1/2 T. butter, melted
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 400�. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and beef; cook 5 minutes or until meat is browned, stirring to crumble. Stir in the salsa, chipotle sauce, beans, and tomatoes; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1/2 C. cilantro. Spoon beef mixture into a 3-quart casserole. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring C.; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (flour through salt) in a large bowl. Add 1/4 C. cilantro, milk, butter, and egg; stir until well-blended. Spoon the batter over beef mixture; spread evenly. Bake at 400� for 35 minutes or until golden.

Yield: 8 servings
Calories: 329
Fat: 11g
Fiber: 5.8g

Meatballs in Saffron-Almond Sauce

Meatballs in Saffron-Almond Sauce

3 slices whole-grain bread, divided
1/2 lb. ground round
1/2 lb. ground turkey
2 T. chopped onion
2 T. chopped fresh parsley
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 clove garlic, minced
1 large egg, lightly beaten
cooking spray
1/4 C. blanched almonds, toasted
1/2 C. dry white wine
1/2 tsp. crushed saffron threads
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
2 cloves garlic
1 (14.5 oz.) can no-salt-added beef broth
Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place 2 bread slices in a food processor; process 30 seconds or until crumbs are fine. Combine the breadcrumbs, beef, and next 8 ingredients (beef through egg) in a bowl. Shape mixture into 24 (1-inch) meatballs. Place meatballs on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 17 minutes or until browned. Combine 1 bread slice, almonds, and next 6 ingredients (almonds through garlic) in a food processor, and process until smooth. Spoon mixture into a skillet; add broth, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add meatballs; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

Yield: 8 servings
Serving size: 3 meatballs and 2 tablespoons sauce

Calories: 162
Fat: 7.9g
Fiber: 1g

Individual Sicilian Meat Loaves

Individual Sicilian Meat Loaves

1 beaten egg

1 14-ounce jar garlic and onion pasta sauce (1-3/4 C.)

1/4 C. seasoned fine dry bread crumbs

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

12 ounces ground beef

2 ounces mozzarella cheese

4 thin slices prosciutto or cooked ham (about 2 ounces)

1 9-ounce package refrigerated plain or spinach fettuccine

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a medium bowl beat egg with a whisk. Stir in 1/4 C. of the pasta sauce, the fine dry bread crumbs, salt, and pepper. Add ground beef; mix well.  Cut mozzarella cheese into four logs, each measuring approximately 2 1/4×3/4×1/2 inches. Wrap a slice of prosciutto or ham around each cheese log. Shape one-fourth of the ground beef mixture around each cheese log to form a loaf. Flatten each meat loaf to 1-1/2 inch thickness. Place the four meat loaves in a shallow baking pan.  Bake loaves about 20 minutes or until meat is done (160 degrees F).*  Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. In a small saucepan heat remaining pasta sauce over medium heat until bubbly.  Arrange meat loaves over hot cooked pasta. Spoon sauce over top. Makes 4 servings.  *NOTE: The internal color of a meat loaf is not a reliable doneness indicator. A beef or pork loaf cooked to 160 degrees F is safe, regardless of color. To measure the doneness of a meat loaf, insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the loaf.

Mega Meatball Pizza

Mega Meatball Pizza

1 pizza dough, store bought or from your favorite pizza shop

A palm full all-purpose flour or cornmeal

Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling, plus 2 T. – 2 turns of the pan

2 T. finely chopped rosemary leaves, a couple of sprigs

Coarse salt

1 1/2 lb. ground sirloin

1 medium onion, finely chopped

4 to 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Black pepper

1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste

1/2 C. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

A handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1 tsp. dried oregano

3/4 lb. fresh mozzarella or brick mozzarella, your choice, sliced or grated

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. On a round pizza stone or pan or on a rectangular baking sheet, using flour or cornmeal to dust the dough, spread out the dough to form your crust. If you are using a baking sheet, drizzle pan with extra-virgin olive oil then set crust in place. Poke the pizza dough in several areas with the tines of a fork. Drizzle the dough with extra-virgin olive oil then season it with finely chopped rosemary and a little salt. Place in oven 10 minutes. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 2 T. extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, then the meat. Brown and crumble meat a couple of minutes, then add onions and garlic. Season the meat with salt and pepper then work in the tomato paste using the back of a wooden spoon to combine. Stir in the cheese, parsley and oregano. Remove pizza crust from oven and top with meat. Arrange cheese over the pizza, working to edges. Return the pizza to the oven and bake until cheese is golden, another 10 to 12 minutes.

Smoky Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Smoky Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

3 large Idaho potatoes, peeled and cubed

Coarse salt

2 T. EVOO – extra-virgin olive oil – 2 turns of the pan

1/4 lb. smoky bacon or turkey bacon, chopped

1 1/3 lb. ground turkey breast

1 T. smoked paprika, available in small cans on spice aisle of market (You may substitute 1 1/2 tsp. each sweet paprika and cumin combined)

Coarse black pepper

2 T., 5 or 6 sprigs, fresh thyme leaves

1 medium onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and diced

3 ribs celery from the heart, chopped

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

2 C. frozen peas

2 T. all-purpose flour

2 C. chicken broth

1 C. sour cream, divided

3 T. butter

1 large egg, beaten

10 to 12 blades fresh chives, chopped or snipped

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, salt it, and cook the potatoes until tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Heat a deep, large skillet over medium-high heat. Add EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, to the skillet. Add bacon and brown it up, then add ground turkey to the pan and break it up. Season the turkey with smoked paprika, salt and pepper and thyme. When turkey browns up, add: onions, carrots, celery. Season the veggies with salt and pepper. Cook 5 minutes, then add red pepper and peas cook another 2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook flour 2 minutes. Whisk in broth and combine. Add 1/2 C. of sour cream and combine. Simmer mixture over low heat. Preheat your broiler to high. When potatoes are tender, add a ladle of cooking water to the egg. Drain potatoes and return to the warm pot to dry them out a little. Add remaining 1/2 C. sour cream, butter, half of the chives, and salt and pepper. Smash and mash the potatoes, mashing in the beaten, tempered egg. If the potatoes are too tight, mix in a splash of milk. Pour turkey mixture into a medium casserole dish. Top turkey with an even layer of smashed potatoes and place casserole 5 inches from hot broiler. Broil the potatoes until golden at edges and remove the casserole from the oven. Garnish the casserole with the remaining chives and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Variation: Omit potatoes, peas and egg. Swap 2 lb. ground lamb or sirloin for the turkey, beef stock for the chicken stock and add 1/2 lb. wide egg noodles. Serve the goulash over the cooked egg noodles dressed with the butter and chives.

Hawaii Burgers

Hawaii Burgers

2 lbs ground turkey breast

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

2 T. low sodium soy sauce

2 garlic cloves

2 green onions, chopped

1/2 C. Hoisin sauce

2 tsp. Sesame oil

1 cored fresh Pineapple, cut into rings

 

Mix turkey with ginger, soy sauce, garlic and onions. Form into patties and cook for 5 minutes on each side on grill. As burgers cook, baste with hoisin mixed with sesame oil. Grill pineapple rings alongside burgers. Place burgers on buns and top with grilled pineapple rings and lettuce.

Turkey Loco Burgers with Chunky Guacamole

Turkey Loco Burgers with Chunky Guacamole

1 lb. ground turkey

1 tsp. Ground cumin

1-2 T. chopped fresh oregano (a handful of leaves)

1/4 onion, grated

1 lime, juice of

 Hot pepper sauce (to taste or a few shakes)

 Coarse salt

 Cracked black pepper

4 crusty rolls, split

 Romaine lettuce leaves

Chunky Guacamole

2 avocados, peeled and pitted

1/4 medium Spanish onion, grated

1 jalapeno pepper, minced (or serrano)

 Coarse salt

1 plum tomato, seeded and diced

 

In a bowl, combine the turkey and the next 7 ingredients. Form mixture into 4 patties and grill over medium-high heat for 6 minutes on each side. While the burgers are cooking, mash the avocados with the onion, chile pepper, salt, and tomato—leave it chunky. Place each burger on a bun and pile it with chunky guacamole and a piece of romaine.

Pot-Sticker Pockets

Pot-Sticker Pockets

1 1/2 lb. ground pork

1/2 C. water chestnuts

2 green onions, chopped

3 T. Soy Sauce

1″ piece fresh Ginger, grated

2 cloves Garlic, minced

Pinch Crushed Red Pepper

1/2 orange

8 flour tortillas

2 tsp. Honey

1/4 C. white Vinegar

1 cucumber, seeded, peeled, thinly sliced

1/2 carrot, shredded

Hoisin Sauce

Bibb lettuce

 

Combine pork and next 7 ingredients in bowl. Form into patties and cook 5 minutes per side on grill pan or on a grill over medium-high heat. Baste with hoisin sauce as they cook.  Mix honey and vinegar. Coat cuke and carrot with mixture.  Thinly slice Bibb lettuce into shreds. Heat tortilla 15 seconds per side on a dry pan over high heat. Paint tortilla with hoisin. Place lettuce in center and top with some carrot and cucumber. Add pork patty and fold up sides to form a square. Cut across diagonal to form triangle pockets.

Wild Mushroom Manicotti

Wild Mushroom Manicotti

1/2-ounce dried porcini mushrooms
6 large manicotti shells
Olive oil spray
1/2 pound lean ground turkey, or lean ground beef
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small onion, finely sliced
4 ounces jarred roasted red bell peppers, chopped
1/2 low-fat ricotta cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon course black pepper
Tomato Sauce, recipe follows
1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan

Preheat oven 350 degrees F. In a small bowl, cover dried mushrooms with hot water; set aside to soak for 30 minutes. After mushrooms have soaked, drain them, and coarsely chop. Meanwhile, prepare manicotti shells according to package directions, drain, and cool. Lightly spray an 8 by 8-inch baking pan with olive oil; set aside. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat, and spray pan with olive oil as it is heating. Add ground turkey and brown, breaking it up to cook evenly. Drain fat from pan. Add garlic and onions and cook until onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes. Add roasted peppers and cook for about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat, and stir in the ricotta. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer turkey mixture to a large resealable plastic bag. Pipe the filling into the cooled manicotti shells. Place the manicotti shells in the prepared baking dish. Top with tomato sauce and then sprinkle Parmesan over top. Fill the cooled pasta shells with the turkey mixture and Parmesan. Bake for 25 minutes. Serve immediately.

Tomato Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 1/2 cups prepared tomato sauce

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, and dried oregano, and saute until onion is translucent. Add tomato sauce and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and pour over the prepared stuffed manicotti shells.

Yield: 6 servings
Calories 252
Fat: 9g
Fiber: 2

Texas Jo Casserole

Texas Jo Casserole

8 oz Ground 90% lean turkey or Beef
1/2 c Chopped onion
1/2 c Frozen whole kernel corn
1/2 c (2.5 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/4 c (1 oz) sliced ripe olives
1 1/2 c Hot cooked rotini, rinsed & drained
1 cn (10 3/4 oz) Healthy Request Tomato soup
1/2 c Chunky salsa
1 T Brown Sugar Twin
1/3 c (1.5 oz) shredded Kraft Reduced-Fat Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray an 8×8 baking dish with butter-flavored cooking spray. In a large skillet sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray, brown meat and onion. stir in corn, mushrooms, olives, and rotini pasta. Add tomato soup, salsa, Brown Sugar Twin, and Cheddar cheese. Mix well to combine. Spread mixture into prepared baking dish. Bake 30 minutes. Place baking dish on a wire rack and let set 5 minutes.
Cut into 4 servings.

HINT: 1 cup uncooked rotini pasta usually cooks to about 1 1/2 cups. Also good topped with 1 T fat-free sour cream.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 293
Fat: 9g
Fiber: 5g