Mexican Stuff Shells

Yup I had to try these and yup they were pretty darn yummy and will make their appearance in our menu rotation every now and then :) I found these at The Way to His Heart....
I make my own taco seasoning and if you do too use that instead of the packaged stuff :)

Mexican Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:
1 lb. ground beef
1 package low-sodium taco seasoning
4 oz. cream cheese
14-16 jumbo pasta shells
1.5 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup monterey jack cheese
3 green onions
Sour cream

Preheat oven to 350°.
In a frying pan cook ground beef; add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese, cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and cool completely. While ground beef is cooking, cook the pasta shells according to directions; drain. Set shells out individually on cutting board/baking sheet so that they don’t stick together.
Pour salsa on bottom of 9×13 baking dish. Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place shells in 9×13 pan open side up. Cover shells with taco sauce. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, add shredded cheese and bake for 10-15 more minutes, with the foil removed. Top with any condiments you’d like (green onions, black olives, etc.) Serve with sour cream and/or more salsa.

Jack in the Box Tacos Copycat Recipe

Ok so I was totally excited when I saw this recipe because I'm a huge fan of Jack in the Box. It was one thing I missed when I left Arizona. Even when I lived in Charleston, SC the closest one was 3 hours away so it was a real treat to drive up there and get them! Now that we live in Italy we don't even have one closer than a very long flight away so yes I had to try these when I saw the recipe. This recipe is pretty darn close to the real thing. Although I would suggest running the meat through a food processor to get it to a proper consistancy. If you can I would also get the taco sauce from the Jack in the Box because the ones we tried just didn't taste the same. So hopefully one of my awesome friends and/or family members will send us some for the next attempt!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 cup refried beans
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1/4 cup mild taco sauce (Ortega or Pico Pica brand or any smooth taco sauce, no chunks of tomato and stuff)
• 12 soft corn tortillas (try to use thin ones and warm them up before using so they don't crack when you fold them)
• 3 cups cooking oil, crisco oil will give the tacos a taste closest to the original
• 6 slices American cheese
• 1 head finely chopped lettuce

Directions:

Prep Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 1 1/4 hr
1. Slowly brown the ground beef over low heat, using a wooden spoon to chop and smoosh the meat, keep it very fine and smooth.
2. When the beef is brown, drain the fat.
3. Add the refried beans and use the wooden spoon to smash the whole beans into the mixture, creating a smooth texture.
4. Add the salt, chili powder, and 2 tablespoons of the taco sauce to the mixture; remove from the heat.
5. In another skillet, heat 1/4 inch of oil until hot (test with a small piece of tortilla, it should bubble when dropped into the oil).
6. Spread 1/12 of the beef mixture on the center of each corn tortilla.
7. Fold the tortillas over and press so that the beef filling acts as an adhesive and holds the sides together.
8. Drop each taco into the pan of hot oil and fry on both sides until crispy.
9. When cooked, remove the tacos from the oil and place them on a rack or some paper towels until they are a little cooler.
10. Pry open each taco slightly; add 1/2 slice of American cheese (cut diagonally) and some lettuce; top with about 1 1/2 teaspoons of the remaining taco sauce.
 

Sloppy Joes

Another yummy one from the Pioneer Woman! This is also a bit spicy if you add everything but oh so yummy! And definitely toast the buns with real butter YUM!

Ingredients:


■2 Tablespoons Butter
■2-½ pounds Ground Beef
■½ whole Large Onion, Diced
■1 whole Large Green Bell Pepper, Diced
■5 cloves Garlic, Minced
■1-½ cup Ketchup
■1 cup Water
■2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
■2 teaspoons Chili Powder (more To Taste)
■1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
■½ teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes (more To Taste)
■Worcestershire Sauce, To Taste
■2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste (optional)
■Tabasco Sauce (optional; To Taste)
■Salt To Taste
■Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
■Kaiser Rolls
■Butter

Preparation Instructions:


Add butter to a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until brown. Drain most of the fat and discard.

Add onions, green pepper, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until vegetables begin to get soft.

Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili pepper, dry mustard, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Tabasco if desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Spread rolls with butter and brown on a griddle or skillet. Spoon meat mixture over the rolls, topping with a slice of cheese if it makes your skirt fly up. Serve hot with kettle cooked chips!

Rempel Family Meatloaf

Ok so I'm not the biggest fan of meatloaf or I wasn't in the past but I've been brave and started trying out new recipes. This one is super good and even my mom who isn't a fan of meatloaf had a second helping! I got this recipe off of Allrecipes.com.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup crushed buttery round crackers
• 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons steak sauce

 Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2.Stir the ground beef, crushed crackers, Cheddar cheese, and onion soup mix in a large bowl until well combined. Whisk the eggs, ketchup, and steak sauce in a separate bowl until smooth. Mix the eggs into the meat until evenly combined, if the mixture seems too dry, add a little water. Press into a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

3.Bake in preheated oven until the meatloaf reaches 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) and is no longer pink in the center, 45 to 60 minutes.

Lasagna Soup

**This was actually really yummy and budget friendly so it will more than likely show up in one of weekly menus again! It was super easy and so much quicker to make than I had anticipated, hopefully you guys/gals enjoys it as well!**

1 onion finely diced
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic finely minced
choice of meat (ground beef, Italian sausage, meatballs...)
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cups jarred spaghetti sauce
4 cups chicken (or vegetable or beef) stock
2 bay leaves
8 oz pasta (Rotini, Fusilli, Campanelle,Corkscrew)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
shredded Mozzarella cheese

In a large Dutch oven, heat oil to medium heat and saute onion until golden. Add garlic and warm through about 1 minute before adding your choice of meat. Brown the meat, remove any extra fat. Add oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, spaghetti sauce, chicken stock and bay leaves. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Add pasta and increase heat to bring to a boil and cook for recommended time on pasta box for "al dente". Discard bay leaves and adjust seasonings by adding salt & pepper. Stir in fresh parsley and serve with a sprinkling of shredded Mozzarella cheese.

Sloppy Joes

**So I'm not a sloppy joe fan but I figured I should start trying out some more kid friendly meals since we have a baby boy whole will eventually grow up and want kid friendly foods. I then decided to try to find a sloppy joe recipe that I would actually eat (because quite frankly that manwich crap blows) and I found this recipe on a budget friendly blog which one I can't think of at the moment, but me and the hubby really enjoyed this recipe which I was seriously surprised that I did!**

• 1 medium onion, chopped finely
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 – 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef or chicken broth
• a few dashes of hot pepper sauce
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• hamburger buns

1. Brown ground beef with onion until onion is tender and beef is cooked.
2. Add garlic and cook for approximately one more minute.
3. Add remaining ingredients (except buns)and stir well.
4. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Serve over buns and enjoy.

Potato Pizza Pie

• 4 – 5  cups sliced peeled potatoes
• 1 can (11 ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 ½ cups pizza sauce ( you could also use a store bought jar of spaghetti sauce or homemade sauce)
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Place potatoes in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Combine soup and milk and pour over potatoes.

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink and drain. Spread over soup mixture. Pour pizza sauce over top.

Cover and bake at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with cheese; bake for 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted

**this was actually rather tasty and we just may make it again :)**

Taco Pasta Casserole

We tried a new recipe last night. I didn't care for it. I personally thought it was kinda bland, but the hubby enjoyed, so maybe next time I'll mix in some green chiles and maybe a can of tomatoes? I'm not sure yet I just know it needs something, but who knows maybe you'll enjoy it as is.
Taco Twist Casserole
•1lb ground beef

•1 packet taco seasoning

•1 jar taco sauce

•1 16oz box rotini noodles

•bag of shredded cheddar cheese

•sm thing of sour cream

brown the ground beef, drain, add the taco seasoning and 1 cup of water.. let simmer.. also cook your noodles.. when all thats done. mix sour cream and a cup of shredded cheese in with your noodles.. then line a casserole dish with the noodles. put a layer of taco sauce.. add the ground beef, do another layer of sauce. top with cheese, bake until cheese is melted.

so I'm not sure if I didn't put down a temp or if there just wasn't one at all but I stuck it in the oven at about 350 degrees and waited for everything to melt together and it was fine....

Taco Pasta

My hubby likes those Hamburger Helpers and I just can't stand the taste of them. Maybe its one of the preservatives they put in it, but they always have such an odd awful taste to me, but like I always do I find some way to compromise. I decided to find one that was still inexpensive, but hopefully yummy and as easy as a hamburger helper! This one was yummy thankfully and even I enjoyed it!

Taco Pasta

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 package (1-1/4 ounces) taco seasoning
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 1 package (8 ounce) shell macaroni, cooked and drained ( I used a gf brown rice pasta)
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

In a skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drain and add taco seasoning, tomato sauce, and green chilies. Stir in cooked macaroni. Place in a 9×13 pan. Top with cheese. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through.

 

 

 

Southwestern Stuffed Bell Peppers

Southwestern Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 4-6 bell peppers
• 1 (19 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (15-16 ounce) jar salsa
• shredded cheddar cheese
• sour cream

Directions:

1. Combine beef, onion, seasoning mix and egg in a large bowl.
2. Add rice and mix well.
3. Cut peppers in half lengthwise; remove seeds and membrane.
4. Spread tomatoes on the bottom of an ovenproof 12 X 9 inch baking dish. The liquid from the tomatoes will reduce during cooking so if (like me) you like lots of sauce, add about a cup of water. This also helps make the peppers softer.
5. Place peppers, cut side up, on top of the tomatoes.
6. Spoon beef mixture into peppers, mounding as necessary.
7. Top each pepper with salsa.
8. Bake in preheated 375°F oven for 40-45 minutes or until beef is cooked thoroughly and peppers are soft.
9. Cover each pepper with cheese and return to oven, under the broiler, until the cheese melts- less than a minute, so watch carefully!
10. Serve with sour cream and additional salsa.

**These are what we would say are super yummy! These are def getting added to the we will make again list and I wouldn't be surprised if the hubby asked for them specifically. I think I found these on recipezaar.com which is a recipe website I absolutely love! I would highly recommend stuffed pepper fans to try these and if you don't these may change your mind!

Quick Chili

Quick Chili

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
1 white onion, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cups water
1 (15 ounce) can ranch-style beans
1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

Directions

1.In a large pot, cook beef over medium heat until brown. Stir in onion and cook until onion is translucent. Stir in tomato sauce, water, ranch-style beans, kidney beans, chiles, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin and Cajun seasoning. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.

This chili is super easy and is pretty good. I would recommend cooking it longer so that it thickens up otherwise its more like a soup. The hubby loved it and ate most of it.

Crock Pot Taco Soup

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) can pinto beans
1 (16 ounce) can white beans or kidney beans
1 (11 ounce) can niblet corn
1 (11 ounce) can Rotel tomatoes & chilies
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
1 (1 1/4 ounce) envelope taco seasoning mix
1 (1 ounce) envelope hidden valley ranch dressing mix
1 lb shredded chicken, ground beef or any meat

Directions

1. Cook meat and drain.

2. Shred if needed.

3. Add all ingredients to crock pot.

4. DO NOT DRAIN CANS.

5. Stir.

6. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.

7. Keep on low until serving to keep hot.

8. Garnish with sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, or tortilla chips.


OMGosh! This was super easy and super good! The hubby loved loved loved this and asked me to make it again soon after eating it two days in a row. I followed this recipe exactly.

Taco Pizza (another favorite)

Taco Pizza

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1 pkg. (10.75 oz) taco bell taco dinner kit (make sure to buy the hard taco shell one)
• 1 prepared pizza crust
• 1 c. mexican style shredded cheese
• 1 c. shredded lettuce
• 1 large tomato chopped

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook meat with seasonings. Spread meat evenly on crust with cheese. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with lettuce and tomatoes. Crush taco shells and sprinkle over pizza. Drizzle with salsa.

This seriously is super yummy and I could probably eat it everyday! The hubby almost ate the whole thing! I love pizza and tacos and who would have thought to put the two together! This is a must try!

Weeknight Lasagna Toss

This was actually pretty good.

Weeknight Lasagna Toss

What You Need!

1 lb. lean ground beef
2 green peppers, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce
1-2/3 cups water
1/4 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
12 oven-ready lasagna noodles, broken into quarters
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese

Make It!

BROWN meat in large saucepan; drain.
ADD peppers, garlic, spaghetti sauce, water and dressing; bring to boil. Stir in noodles; cover.
COOK on medium-low heat 10 to 15 min. or until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese; cover. Let stand 5 min. or until cheese is melted.

Picadillo Stuffed Pepper Casserole

It was so absolutely yummy and delicious and so good! We ate the whole thing tonight (plus it wasn't a very big pan and I do have a giant of a husband), but we enjoyed it. I didn't make it exactly following the recipe (because I hate sweet foods unless its for dessert and this sounded like it would make it sweet and I really dislike raisins a lot), so here is the recipe below.


Picadillo Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef
1/8 tsp. garlic powder OR 1 clove garlic, minced (I used fresh garlic)
1 can (about 14 1/2 ounces) stewed tomatoes
1/2 cup Pace® Picante Sauce (I used a chunky salsa I had in my house)
1 tsp. ground cumin1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon (I did not use this)
1/3 cup raisins (I did not use this)
1/3 cup toasted slivered almond (I did not use this)
2 medium green peppers, seeded and cut into lengthwise quarters
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Fresh basil leaves

I also added salt and pepper to taste and I had to cook it for 35 mins. for the peppers to be tender. It was really good even with the ingredients that I left out. Hope you enjoy!

Directions:

Cook the beef and garlic in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is well browned, stirring frequently to break up meat.
Stir tomatoes, picante sauce, cumin, cinnamon, raisins and almonds into the beef. Cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling.
Arrange the peppers in a 2-quart casserole.
Spoon the beef mixture over the peppers. Cover.
Bake at 400°F. for 25 minutes or until the peppers are tender.
Uncover. Top with the cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese melts. Garnish with the basil.

Tip: To toast almonds, arrange almonds in single layer in shallow-sided baking pan. Bake at 350°F. for 10 minutes or until they're lightly browned.

Fiesta Meatloaf

I made meatloaf last night for dinner!! Ok this one totally surprised my sister! She emailed me who are you and what have you done with my sister!! So this is the first time ever that I made meatloaf! Ok so I watched Jennifer do it once but that doesn't really count.

I am still not a huge fan of meatloaf but its one of those meals that my hubby grew up eating so I went out on a limb and tried a Fiesta Meatloaf recipe. He liked it and it was much better with cheese! I don't know a meal that isn't good without cheese though!!

FIESTA MEATLOAF

 Ingredients:

• 2 LB. LEAN GROUND BEEF
• 1 PKG (6 OZ) STOVE TOP STUFFING
• 1 C. WATER
• 2 EGGS BEATEN
• 2 TSP. CHILI POWDER
• 1/2 C. THICK AND CHUNKY SALSA, DIVIDED
• 3/4 C. FINELY SHREDDED CHEDDAR JACK CHEESE

Directions:

HEAT OVEN 375 DEGREES
MIX ALL INGREDIENTS EXCEPT 1/4 C. SALSA AND CHEESE
SHAPE INTO OVAL LOAF IN 13 X 9 PAN
TOP W/ REMAINING SALSA
BAKE 1 HR OR UNTIL DONE (160 DEGREES)
TOP WITH CHEESE AND BAKE 5 MIN. OR UNTIL CHEESE IS MELTED
LET STAND 5 MIN.

ENJOY!

PULLED-BEEF SANDWICHES

PULLED-BEEF SANDWICHES

• 1 LARGE ONION, CHOPPED (1 CUP)
• 1 CUP BARBCUE SAUCE
• 1/2 CUP FRENCH DRESSING
• 1/2 CUP CONDENSED BEEF BROTH
• 1 BONELESS BEEF CHUCK ROAST (3 1/2 TO 4 LBS.)
• 12 BURGER BUNS, SPLIT

1. SPRAY 3 TO 4 QUART SLOW COOKER WITH COOKING SPRAY. MIX ONION, BARBECUE SAUCE, DRESSING, AND BROTH IN SLOW COOKER. ADD BEEF; STIR TO COAT
2. COVER; COOK ON LOW HEAT SETTING 8 TO 10 HOURS.
3. REMOVE BEEF FROM SLOW COOKER; SKIM FAT FROM SAUCE. SHRED BEEF WITH 2 FORKS; STIR BEEF BACK INTO SAUCE. USING SLOTTED SPOON, PLACE 1/2 CUP BEEF MIXTURE ONTO BOTTOM OF EACH BUN. COVER WITH TOPS OF BUN

These turned out really well but it does make way more than enough for two people. I ended up freezing some of it so it didn't go to waste and so we didn't get tired of eating it!