Lasagna Casserole

Pictured: Lasagna Casserole made with egg noodles.

Original recipe from Inspired Taste.

Noodle Ingredients:

• 9 lasagna noodles or 8 oz pasta of choice (1 1/2 c dry orzo)

Red Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 T olive oil
• 1 onion
• 1 pepper (or 1 can diced green chilis)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• *3 small (or 1/2 gallon freezer bag) zucchini, sliced
• *16 oz mushrooms, sliced 
• OR replace *above 2 ingredients with 1 lb browned ground beef
• 1 c shredded greens, optional
• 16 oz spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 t salt

Cheese Sauce Ingredients: 

• 2 c cottage cheese (16 oz)
• 1 tub (1 can) pureed white beans
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 parmesan cheese
• Shredded cheddar and/or mozzarella cheese to taste (~1 c)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Pasta: In a large pan filled with water over high heat, cook noodles until al dente (more firm than mushy)--for lasagna noodles, 10-12 minutes. While cooking, move to the next steps. 
3. Red Sauce: In a medium frying pan over medium low heat, warm oil. Sauté veg, cooking until all juices have evaporated. Add optional ground beef (browned), optional greens, spaghetti sauce, and salt. Bring to a simmer; set aside.
4. Cheese sauce. In a medium bowl, mix cottage cheese, pureed white beans, eggs, and parmesan cheese. 
5. Assemble. In a 9x13 pan, spread 1/2 red sauce mixture. Lay 3 lasagna noodles or a thin layer of pasta of choice over top. Carefully spread with 1/2 cheese sauce mixture. Layer 3 more lasagna noodles or pasta of choice. Spread second 1/2 of red sauce mixture, last 3 noodles (or pasta), and last layer of cheese sauce. 
6. Cover with tinfoil, bake 20 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with shredded cheddar and/or mozzarella cheese, and bake 15 more minutes. Let cool 5 minutes to set up before serving.

Cheeseburger Pasta

Recipe inspired by Cozy Cook. 

Ingredients:

• ~1/2-1 lb browned beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans tomatoes
• 2 c chili beans, tomato lentils, BBQ black beans, or taco lentils
• 1 1/2 c dry noodles (like macaroni or shells)
• 2 c tomato or other broth or [water +2 t bouillon]
• 1 t chili powder
• 1/4-1/2 t garlic salt
• 1 c shredded cheese
• 2 c finely minced greens, fresh or frozen

Directions:

1. In a medium pan over medium low heat, brown beef and sauté onion, pepper, and garlic. 
2. Add all remaining ingredients except cheese and greens and bring to a boil. Simmer 8-12 min until noodles are done.
3. Alternatively, combine all ingredients except cheese and greens in an instant pot and cook 12 minutes. 
4. Mix in cheese and greens until cheese is melted. Enjoy!

Corned Beef and Cabbage

Original recipe from Delish. Perfect St. Patrick's Day dinner!

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, cut into wedges
• 1 (2-lb) corned beef brisket, with seasoning packet
• 4 c broth (or water + 1 T bouillon)
• 1 head cabbage, cored and cut into wedges
• 8-10 carrots, cut into sticks
• 6-8 potatoes, scrubbed and cut into wedges
• salt, pepper, and parsley to taste

Directions:

1. In an instant pot, place onion, brisket with seasoning, and broth.
2. Pressure cook for 90 minutes.
3. Remove beef and onions from instant pot, leaving liquid. Keep beef warm. 
4. Add cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and seasonings and pressure cook 4 minutes.
5. Transfer all to a serving dish and slice corned beef. Ladle remaining juices over top. 

Beef Stew

Original recipe from Once Upon a Chef.

Ingredients:

• 2 T olive oil
• 1 c diced steak, cooked or raw
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3-6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 c flour
• 1 c celery, chopped (~4 ribs)
• 1 c carrots, chopped (~4 large)
• 4 c potatoes, chopped (~3 lb)
• 4-6 c broth (or water + 1-2 T beef bouillon)
• 1 can tomatoes
• 1 t paprika
• 1 bay leaf

Directions:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, warm oil. Saute vegetables and steak. If raw, saute until steak is browned. Mix in flour, then add tomatoes and 2-4 c water and mix until well combined. Simmer 1 hour.
2. Add remaining ingredients, simmer 1 hour or until vegetables are soft. Remove bay leaf.
3. Serve hot with crusty bread. 

Ultimate Quesadillas

Original recipe from me.

Quesadillas are a great place to hide extra nutrients while simultaneously pounding in the flavor.  :)

Optional Ingredients (besides two tortillas and cheese to taste per person):

• cooked black beans
• cooked chicken
• taco beef
• best burrito beans 
• salsa
• chips (for a crunch-wrap supreme)
• guacamole
• greens

Directions:

1. Heat a large frying pan over medium heat.  Place tortilla in pan, sprinkle with cheese and desired toppings.  Top with remaining ingredients.  After 3-5 min, use care when flipping.  Serve with salsa.  

Chili Beans

Original recipe from All Recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 T olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1  bell pepper, chopped
• 2-3 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans diced tomatoes with juice
• 2 c dry beans of choice, cooked OR 3 cans beans (we use half black, half pinto)
• opt: browned ground beef or venison
• 2 T chili powder
• 1 T bouillon
• 1 T cocoa powder
• 1 T worcestershire sauce 
• 1/2 t pepper
• salt to taste
• spash of red wine vinegar
• 1 c water, opt

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Saute onion, pepper, and celery five min.  Add garlic and saute 1 min more.  
2. Add remaining ingredients except water.  Bring to a boil, reduce to low heat and simmer 1-2 hours.  Add water as necessary.  
3. Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, and/or cornbread.  Also serve on top of baked potatoes. 

Spaghetti Sauce

Pictured: spaghetti with garlic bread and a kale/collard salad.

This sauce is delicious and hearty with or without beef.

Ingredients:

• opt: ½ lb ground beef 
• 1 c diced carrots and celery
• ½ chopped onion
• 1/2 c pepper, chopped
• 1 c mushrooms, chopped
• 2 15-oz cans tomato sauce
• 1 6-oz can tomato paste OR 1/4 c lentil puree
• 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp parsley
• 1 tsp basil
• 1/8 tsp oregano
• spaghetti

Directions: 

1. Over medium heat, brown beef and drain excess fat.  Add remaining vegs and sauté until onions are translucent, about 5 min. 
2. Add all remaining ingredients (except spaghetti), cover and simmer.  The longer it cooks, the better the flavors meld. 
3. In a medium saucepan, bring about 6 cups of water and 1 tsp salt to a boil.  Add spaghetti, cook until tender when sampled, about 10-15 min. 
4. Serve with salad and/or garlic bread.

Taco Beef

Pictured: taco beef on pizza with tomatoes, cheese, and taco sauce to be topped with lettuce and sour cream.

Original recipe from family.

Tacos are delicious, versatile, quick, easy...everything a cook could want!  Switch up the main filler by using burrito beans or salsa beans.  Try making homemade tortillas for extra yumminess.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 T taco seasoning

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef on medium heat.  Drain liquids, add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 min.  Add about ¼ c water and taco seasoning, simmer uncovered until water has evaporated.  
2. Serve over tortillas with salsa, greens, tomatoes, sour cream, cheese, guacamole, etc.  Also serve on taco pizza with taco pizza sauce.

Shepherd's Pie

Pictured: shepherd's pie with resurrection rolls for Easter dinner.

Original recipe from family.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb hamburger
• 1 can tomato soup
• 1-2 c chopped veg (fresh or frozen)
• 2 c mashed potatoes
• cheese (opt)

Directions:

Brown hamburger, drain grease.  Combine all but potatoes in skillet, heat through.  Top with mashed potatoes and cheese.

Pizza Rice Casserole

Pictured: pizza rice casserole with peppers and mushrooms

Original recipe from The Family Homestead

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb sausage or hamburger 
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 c cooked rice or lentil rice
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 c (1 can) diced tomatoes
• 1 t Italian seasoning
• 1 t bouillon 
• Parmesan cheese (we use about 1/4 c)
• mozzarella or cheddar cheese to taste 
• salt and pepper to taste
• opt: pepperoni, olives, mushrooms, green peppers, spinach, or other pizza toppings

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a medium oven-proof skillet over medium heat, brown meat. Add and saute onion, garlic, and optional vegetables. Add and lightly toast pepperoni, then remove from pan and set aside. Turn off skillet heat.
3. In a medium bowl, mix rice, egg tomatoes, seasonings, and some cheese. Add to skillet and mix well. Layer optional pepperoni and cheeses.  
4. Bake 10-20 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Quick Beef Stroganoff

Pictured: beef stroganoff with onion, pepper, and rotini noodles.

Original recipe from The Family Homestead 

Ingredients: 

• 1/3 lb ground beef
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1/2 pepper, chopped
• 1/4 c celcery, chopped
• 1/2 c chopped mushrooms, opt
• 1 1/2 c pasta, uncooked (whole wheat is best!)
• 1/2 c plain yogurt or sour cream
• 1 T Warcestershire sauce
• 2 T red wine vinegar
• 3 c beef broth (3 c water + 3 tsp beef bouillon)
• 1 T Italian seasoning
• salt/pepper

Directions:

1. In a large pot over med heat, saute beef and vegetables, drain excess. 
2. Mix in remaining ingredients.  Cover and bring to boil on high. 
3. Turn heat to low and simmer 30 minutes. Add veg side and fresh bread for a complete meal.