What’s for lunch? Asian Beef and Noodles. This is a colorful, budget friendly stir-fry dish that takes only five ingredients—all of which you're likely to have on hand. Ready to eat in about 20 minutes! Serve with fruit (fresh, frozen or canned – whatever you have available) for a complete meal. I had to raid Bytes’ cupboard to find the ramen. I don’t usually buy it, but he keeps it on hand because he likes it for a snack. Or a meal when he is pressed for time. It was worth sneaking down the stairs, avoiding the laser beam network, dodging under the security camera, giving the guard cat a generous handful of treats to keep him busy, and opening the cupboard door just right to avoid setting off the piercing alarm. Actually, I just asked over the stair rail, “got any ramen?” and ... [Read More]
ground beef
Baked Spaghetti
What’s for lunch? A big pan of baked spaghetti. Or Pasketti as Bytes’ Big Brother used to say. The whole family will love it! Layers of pasta, meat sauce, sour cream and cheese – comfort food of the highest order! The number of servings will depend on the appetites at your house. It makes 8 large servings, which will serve the three of us with two man-sized servings (and one regular serving for me) for TWO meals. Two littles usually ate the equivalent of one of the 8 servings. Which means enough for the man sized eater, two littles and one regular serving. The point? You may very easily get TWO meals for the effort in making one! And that’s a bonus in my book. If your cooking tends to be based on last minute decisions, you’ll find no judgment here because there are a lot ... [Read More]
Enchilada Bake
Layered Enchilada Bake is deliciously easy. You get all the goodness and flavor of an enchilada without wrapping and tucking tortillas. And – IF – there are any left overs they are even better than the serving you had when they were freshly made! Begin by browning the ground beef. Drain excess grease and push the meat to one side to lightly saute the chopped onion. Stir in the can of corn and the enchilada sauce (mild or to your taste), plus the Taco seasoning mix. Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat when mixture reaches a boil. In the meantime, place two tortillas end to end in a 9x13 pan sprayed with cooking spray. Cut a third tortilla into 2 inch wide strips and place around the edges so that the bottom is fully covered. Spread half the sour ... [Read More]
Cowboy Beef Hash
Cowboy Beef Hash is a meat and ‘taters meal that is ready in about 30 minutes. It is a quick and easy, stick to the ribs meal that everyone in the family will love. You probably have the ingredients on hand in the pantry/freezer right now. Add it to the rotation and your family will thank you!! The recipe is also easily adjusted to individual taste. Instead of adding the entire 16 ounce jar of salsa to the meat mixture, I only add half and then serve the remainder on the side for those who want more kick. (You know – my wimpy taste buds!) I like the shredded frozen hash browns, because you can cook them crispy. Bytes and Wheels like their potatoes so they prefer Potatoes Obrien for heartiness -- and that's what I use. I had not heard of Frozen Roasted Sweet Corn until I saw ... [Read More]
Cheesy Beef Stromboli
Hearty. Cheesy delicious. Filling finger food. Meal in a crust. You'll love Cheesy Beef Stromboli. Plus it is quick and easy! Just beef and cheese - no tomato sauce. Each sentence: one more word than the last. Now it is time to talk about the food! :-) Brown the beef and let it cool. Unless you brown the beef as you buy it and toss it in the freezer in 2 cup packages. (Highly recommended! Especially if you buy on sale!) If you are using beef from the freezer, thaw in the microwave. Add egg and cheese. Grab your favorite cookie sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray. Crack open a roll of refrigerated pizza dough and unroll it on the cookie sheet. Pat out until it touches the edges. Spread meat filling over the dough, leaving about 3/4 inch uncovered on all the ... [Read More]
Cheeseburger Dip
Everything you love about a cheeseburger in one creamy bite. Cheeseburger Dip has it all -- hearty beefy burger, creamy cheese, ketchup, mustard -- in one spoonful. Serve it on a cracker, scoop it with a chip, it's all good! Top it with bacon chunks for even more goodness. Cut the bacon into small pieces before browning. It will crisp faster that way. It also saves burned fingers because you won’t be trying to cut hot bacon into pieces. I add half the mustard because its not my favorite flavor so I would order my cheeseburger without, but you can go all out and add all the recipe calls for. If you brown your bought on sale hamburger before popping it into the freezer, measure out two cups browned ground beef and save yourself some time. You can use any cheddar cheese or even ... [Read More]
