Wednesday Chili

My sister, Lori, received this recipe while living in Nevada. It is very easy to prepare and very tasty!

2 pounds Lean Ground Beef
10 oz. Can French Onion Soup
1 Tablespoons Chili Powder
2 Teaspoons Cumin
1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
Few Drops of Tabasco Sauce (to your taste)
21 oz. Can Red Kidney Beans, Undrained
6 oz. Can Tomato Paste
8 oz. Can Tomato Sauce

Brown ground beef and drain. Puree soup in the blender. Pour over meat and heat until it is the consistency of rice. Stir in spices, add beans, tomato paste, tomato sauce. Stir until well combined. Heat over low heat at least 20 minutes. Great frozen and warmed for later meals.

Minestrone Soup

1 Cup Onion, Chopped
1 Cup Celery, Diced
2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
1/4 Cup Vegetable Oil
10 Cups Beef Broth*
2 Cans Diced Tomatoes
1 29 Oz. Can Hunt's Pasta Sauce
1 Cup Carrots, Sliced
2 Teaspoons Dried Basil
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Beef, Cooked
1 1/2 Cups Zucchini, Sliced
1 Can Kidney Beans, Rinsed and Drained
1 Can Garbanzo Beans, Rinsed and Drained
2 Cups Uncooked Ditalini Pasta

In a large stock pot, saute onions, celery and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the broth, tomatoes, pasta sauce, carrots, basil and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes. Then add zucchini beans, ground beef and pasta. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until pasta is tender. Remove from heat.

* * I like to use an actual beef base paste instead of buillon as it has more flavor. I am a little more generous in my measurements so that it is a little more concentrated (more flavor).

Baked Tacos

My mother-in-law made these one night for Bryon and Sam while they were down there for dinner. Sam couldn't stop talking about these. I decided to give them a try. My mom made them for my family one weekend while she was up helping me. They lived up to their reputation! They were a hit for everyone in my family.

Serves: 8-10

2 Pounds Ground Beef
4 Teaspoons Dry Minced Onion
2 Teaspoons Chili Powder
1 Teaspoon Cornstarch
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/8 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1 (8 Ounce) Can Tomato Sauce
1 (16 Ounce) Can Refried Beans
2 Cups Colby Jack Cheese, Shredded
18-20 Hard Taco Shells

Toppings:
Shredded Lettuce
Diced Tomatoes
Salsa
Guacamole

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl combine minced onion, chili powder, cornstarch, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and set aside.

In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess liquid. Add refried beans, tomato sauce and bowl of seasonings. Mix well.

Spoon the taco meat mixture into the taco shells. Place in a 9x13 baking dish, standing up. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the taco meat in each shell. Place into the 400 degree oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tacos are heating through. Remove from the oven and garnish with toppings.

If you are short on time or seasonings, you can replace all the above seasonings for a package of taco seasoning.

Stroganoff Sandwiches

We had this at our dinner group in October. It was delicious! She served it on individual buns so everyone could fix their own as they wanted. She also substituted sliced sirloin instead of the ground beef and that is what I do when I make this.

1 Loaf French Bread
1 Pound Ground Beef
1/4 Cup Onion, Chopped
1 Tablespoon Milk
1 Cup Sour Cream
1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
1/8 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
Butter or Margarine to spread on the bread
Toppings of Your Choice: Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Red Peppers, Sauteed Mushrooms, Cheese

Cut bread in half lengthwise. Wrap in foil and put in the oven at 350 for 7-10 minutes.

Brown the hamburger with the onion. Drain off the grease. Stir in the sour cream, milk, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. At this point, add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Heat.

Butter bread. Spread the mixture on each half of loaf. Arrange toppings. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes or until cheese is warm.

Crockpot Beef Tips & Rice

Another recipe from my favorite crockpot website. I made this one for dinner and it was a huge hit. The meat was super tender. It is super easy to make. Good and easy, it doesn't get much better than that!

2 Packages of Stew Meat
2 Family Size Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup
2 Packages Lipton Beefy Onion Soup Mix

Add all together and place in a crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over rice. Yum!

Baked Beans

Tonight I am going to a dinner and was asked to bring baked beans. This is a recipe I received from my mom. This recipe is probably my favorite for baked beans.

1 Large Can of Pork and Beans
1 Can Red Kidney Beans
1 Can Butter Beans
1 Onion, Chopped
1 Pound Hamburger
4 Slices Bacon
1/2 Cup Catsup
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Vinegar
2 Tablespoons Green Pepper

Brown the hamburger with the onion. Drain off the fat. In a crockpot combine all of the ingredients, including the cooked and drained hamburger. If you like a thicker bean, drain the kidney beans and butter beans. If you like a thinner bean, do not drain them before placing them in the corckpot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Chow Mein Dinner

1 1/2 Pounds Hamburger
2 Medium Onions, Chopped
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
1 1/2 Cups Warm Water
1/2 Cup Uncooked Non-Instant Rice
Chow Mein Noodles

Brown hamburger with onions. Drain off fat. Add cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, soy sauce, water, and rice. Put in a large casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and cook another 30 minutes. Take from oven and sprinkle with Chow Mein noodles. Return and bake uncovered another 15 minutes.

Creamy Salisbury Steak

I think I have been missing out on life. Salisbury steak isn't something I make hardly ever. I think I have only made it one other time during our married life. I wasn't a big fan. The other day, when planning my menus I came across this recipe. It was a huge hit at our house! YUM! It is definitely a comfort food and great for those cold winter nights.

2 Pounds Ground Beef
1 Package Onion Soup Mix
1/2 Cup Cracker Crumbs (I used Saltines. I think you could use bread crumbs.)
1 Egg
2 Packages Brown Gravy Mix
1 Cup Sour Cream
1 Small Can Sliced Mushrooms, Drained
Egg Noodles, Rice, or Mashed Potatoes (We did mashed potatoes!)

Make hamburger patties using ground beef, onion soup mix, cracker crumbs, and egg. Fry or grill patties until they are browned on both sides.

While the hamburgers are cooking, in a bowl combine the brown gravy mix, the amount of water called for on the packet, and the sour cream. Whisk together.

Grease a 9x13 pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place the patties in the bottom. Pour gravy mixture over the top of the patties.

Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Serve the patties and gravy over mashed potatoes.

Cheeseburger Chowder

1/2 lb Hamburger, Browned
4 Cups Potatoes, Diced
3/4 Cup Onions, Chopped
1/4 Cup Flour
3/4 Cup Carrots, Shredded or Diced
8 oz Velveeta
3/4 Cup Celery, Diced
1 1/2 Cups Milk
1 Teaspoon Dried Basil
3/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Parsley Flakes
1/4 Teaspoon Pepper
3 Cups Chicken Broth
1/4 Cup Sour Cream

Saute onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 T butter for about 10 minutes. Add brother, potatoes and hamburger. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt about 3 T butter. Add flour and cook, stirring, for about 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup. Bring to boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese, milk, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.

Pizza Casserole

My Aunt Arlene said that she makes this casserole all of the time to take to people in the ward who need a meal brought in and she always gets rave reviews. My mom made this dish while we were home for New Years. It was really good and the kids loved it.

1 Pound Hamburger
1 Can Tomato Soup
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 Can of Milk
1 (6 oz.) Can Tomato Sauce
1 Small Onion, Chopped
1/2 Green Pepper Chopped
1 Package Egg Noodles, Cooked and Drained
Pizza Spice or Italian Seasoning
Cheddar Cheese, Grated

Brown hamburger with the onion and green pepper. Mix the tomato soup and mushroom soup with the milk. Add soup mixture, seasoning, and noodles to the hamburger. Stir well. Place in a 9x13 casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes. Top with grated cheddar cheese the last ten minutes.

Beef & Biscuit Casserole

This is a recipe from my Grandma Pehrson. This serves about 4.

1 Pound Ground Beef
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Onion, Chopped
16 Ounce Can Pork and Beans
3/4 Cup Barbecue Sauce
2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
Refrigrated Biscuits (The big ones don't work. Just get the normal size)
1 Cup Mild Cheddar Cheese, Grated

Brown ground beef and onion. Drain off excess fat. Stir in pork and beans, barbecue sauce, brown sugar and salt and cheese. Heat until bubbles. Pour in a 2 quart casserole dish. Cut biscuits in half circles. Place cut side down around the edge of the casserole dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.

Homemade Pizza

Another one of my favorites from my mom. I couldn't believe I haven't posted this one yet.

Crust:
1 Package Dry Yeast
1 Cup Warm Water
2 1/2 Cups Flour
2 Tablespoons Oil
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1 Teaspoon Salt

Sauce:
1 Can Mushroom Pieces
3 Small Cans Tomato Sauce
1 Tablespoon Dry Onions
1 Teaspoon Dry Parsley
1/2 Teaspoon Oregano
1 Teaspoon Basil
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Salt

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in flour, oil, sugar, and salt. Beat about 25 strokes. Cover and let rest about 5 minutes while mixing sauce ingredients. With greased fingers, spread dough thinly on cookie sheet or pizza pan. Let rest at least 10 minutes. Bake at 425 for 8-10 minutes until lightly browned. Take out top with sauce, favorite pizza toppings and cheddar cheese. Return to oven and bake 10 more minutes, just long enough to heat the toppings and melt the cheese.

Finger Steaks

This is a recipe from my mom. This is probably one of my favorite meals.

Batter:
2 Eggs
1 Cup Milk
2 Teaspoons Sugar
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
1 Teaspoon Seasoning Salt
1 1/2 Cups Flour

Beat eggs until fluffy. Add milk. Beat. Add sugar, salt, garlic salt, seasoning salt, and flour. The batter should be fairly thick. Cut round steak into bite-size pieces. Dip steak pieces in batter and deep fry at 375 degrees for 3-4 minutes on each side. You can dip them in steak sauce or barbecue sauce. I like to dip them in Ketchup. YUMMY!

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Meatballs:
18 Single Saltine Crackers, Ground Up
2 Eggs
1 Pound Hamburger
1 Clove Garlic, Minced
2 Tablespoons Parsley
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Oregano
Dash of Pepper

Combine and form into balls. Brown and then add to sauce mixture.

Sauce:
3/4 Cup Onion, Chopped
1 Clove Garlic, Minced
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
2 (1 Pound) Cans Tomatoes
2 (6 Oz.) Cans Tomato Paste
1 Cup Water
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
1 1/2 Teaspoon Oregano
1 Bay Leaf

Combine and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Add browned meatballs and simmer for an additional 30 minutes more. Serve over spaghetti.

Hamburger Hawaiian

This recipe is yummy! A friend gave me this recipe and it has become a family favorite!

1 1/4 Pound Ground beef
1/2--2/3 Cup Bread or Cracker Crumbs
1/2 Cup Onion, Chopped
1 Teaspoon Salt
A little milk (I use about 2 TBSP. or so--not much)
1 Egg
1 Can Pineapple Chunks
2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
1/4 Cup Vinegar
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
1 Cup Green Pepper, Chopped (I don't use pepper)

Combine beef, crumbs, onion, salt, milk and egg, like a meatloaf. Shape into about 10-12 small patties (2-3 in.). Brown patties in a large skillet. Drain off fat. Drain pineapple, reserving syrup. Add water to reserved syrup to equal 1 C. liquid and mix with cornstarch, vinegar, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Pour mixture over hamburgers. Simmer until thickened and clear, stirring carefully with spatula, so you don't break up hamburger patties. Add pineapple and green pepper for the last 10-15 minutes of simmering. Serve with rice.

NOTE: I always double this recipe to feed my family. Also, I brown the patties until they are done (not overcooked), and then add the sauce, and cook until it is thickened and clear. Then I add the pineapple and heat through--I rarely have to leave the hamburger patties in for 10-15 more minutes like the recipe says. It also works to bake the patties in the oven for about 20 minutes or so at about 350'. Once the patties are baked through, pour the sauce over them, let them cook longer until the sauce is thickened and clear, stirring it occasionally. I like them better browned in a skillet better, however. Also, for the bread crumbs, I have just used the already prepared bread crumbs that you can buy in the baking section at the store. Any crushed cracker crumbs would work, too.

Noodle Casserole

I got this recipe from my mother-in-law. It has become a family favorite of ours.

1 Pound Ground Beef
1 Large Onion, Chopped
8 Ounce Package Cream Cheese
1 Can Whole Kernel Corn
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
4 Cups Wide Egg Noodles, Cooked
Cheddar Cheese, Grated

Brown ground beef and onion. Drain off fat. Add cream cheese, corn and cream of mushroom soup. Simmer for a few minutes. Add noodles. Place in a casserole dish. Sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

One Pot Spaghetti

When making a spaghetti dinner, if you are like me, you have a hard time trying to get the noodles and sauce to come out even. I always seem to have more of one. This recipe solves that problem. Plus it is all done in one pot! Once you try this recipe, you will never go back to the other way.

1 Pound Ground Beef
1 Medium Onion, Chopped
7 Oz. Package Spaghetti Noodles
8 Oz. Can Tomato Sauce
2 Cups Ragu Spaghetti Sauce
2 Cups Water
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
Parmesan Cheese

Cook beef in skillet until brown. Drain off excess fat. Stir in onion, water, tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce, sugar and salt. Add Spaghetti noodles (uncooked). Heat mixture to boiling over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally. Turn heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with Parmesan cheese sprinkled over the top.

Enchilada Casserole

A good friend gave me this recipe. I was a little hesitant about it but it was great and all my kids had seconds. We didn't have a single drop left over. Plus it was very easy to make which is always a bonus! Recently the local newspaper used this recipe when featuring my family and I in a Food Stuff section.

1 Bag Nacho Cheese Doritos
1 Pound Hamburger
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
1 Clove of Garlic1 Onion, Chopped
1 16 Ounce Can Tomato Sauce
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Cup of Milk
Cheddar Cheese

In a skillet brown hamburger with the onion and garlic. After it is browned, add the chili powder and the tomato sauce. In the blender combine the cream of chicken soup and the milk. Then in a greased 9x13 pan line the bottom of it with half the bag of Dorito chips. Then layer the meat and tomato sauce mixture over the top of that. Then add another layer of chips, using the rest of the bag. Drizzle the milk and soup mixture over the top. Add a layer of shredded cheese and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. You can serve Ranch on the top of it but my family liked it just plain.

Pasta Fagioli Soup

This is supposed to taste exactly like Olive Garden's Pasta Fagioli Soup. It makes a huge batch. When I made it I fed my family and then I put some in containers and froze the rest.

2 Pounds Ground Beef
1 Onion, Chopped
3 Carrots, Chopped
4 Stalk Celery, Chopped
2 (28 oz.) Cans Diced Tomatoes Italian Style, Undrained
1 (16 oz.) Can Red Kidney Beans, Drained
1 (16 oz.) Can White Kidney Beans, Drained
3 (10 oz.) Cans Beef Broth
3 Teaspoons Oregano
2 Teaspoons Pepper
5 Teaspoons Parsley
1 Teaspoon Tabasco Sauce
1 (20 oz.) Jar Prego Traditional Style Spaghetti Sauce
8 Ounces Orozo Pasta, Cooked and Drained

Brown hamburger and onion in a skillet. Drain fat from beef. Add all ingredients, except the pasta, to a crockpot. This makes a HUGE batch. Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours. During the last 30 minutes on high, add cooked pasta.

Barbecue

3 Pounds Ground Beef
2 Onions, Chopped
1 3/4 Cups Catsup
1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
1 1/2 Tablespoons Prepared Mustard
1 1/2 Cups Tomato Juice
Salt & Pepper, To Taste
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 Bay Leaves
1/4 Teaspoon Curry Powder
4 Stalks Celery, Diced
2/3 Cups Brown Sugar

Place all the above ingredients in a crockpot. Cook all day long. You might have to thicken the barbecue with flour and water before serving. Serve on hamburger buns.