Pizza Casserole

Pizza Casserole
adapted from the recipe here at tasteofhome; originally published in Taste of Home December/January 2007, p42


16 Servings (2 casseroles, 8 servings each)
Prep: 20 min. Bake: 30 min.

Ingredients
1 box (13oz - just a little over 4 cups) uncooked spiral pasta (I use whole wheat)
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
16oz mushrooms, sliced
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce (I use the no salt added type when I can find it)
1 jar (14 ounces) pizza sauce (I make my own)
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste (I use the no salt added type when I can find it)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided (I tend to use more)
1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni (I don't use the full package)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the mushrooms, tomato sauce, pizza sauce, tomato paste, sugar and seasonings. Drain pasta; stir into meat sauce.

Divide half of the mixture between two greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dishes; sprinkle each with 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Top each with pepperoni and Parmesan cheese.

Cover and bake at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 10-15 minutes longer or until heated through.


***MY NOTES***: Not owning two 11x7-inch baking dishes, I use a 9-inch squared and a 9x13-inch baking dish. Or I could make one big 11x13-inch casserole out of this. Whatever size dishes you use, divide the meat and cheese accordingly.

These are the nutrition facts for the original recipe: 1 serving (1 each) equals 296 calories, 14 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 51 mg cholesterol, 616 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 23 g protein. Even before I altered it, it's not...hideous...when it comes to nutrition. With minimal effort the sodium could be cut waaaaay down and probably the cholesterol, too....except that I tend to add about a cup or two more mozzarella to the recipe.

Easy Salisbury Steak

Easy Salisbury Steak
source: unknown (I probably pulled this from one of the cook books on my shelf and adapted it into what it is here. I do that a lot.)


1 1/4 lb lean ground beef
1/2 cup flour
1 egg
1 (10 oz) can beef gravy
seasoned salt
pepper

In a large bowl, combine beef, flour and egg.  Add a little seasoned salt and pepper.  Mix well. Shape into 5 patties and place in a shallow 7x11-inch baking dish.  Bake uncovered at 350 for 20 minutes; drain off any fat.  Pour beef gravy over patties.  Bake another 20 minutes.  Serve with rice or noodles.



**My Notes: First of all, use whatever size pan you have on hand. After that comment... I highly suggest using LEAN ground beef. The leanest you can find. It's been my experience that if more fatty ground beef is used, the amount of beef used should be increased. If I absolutely do not have or cannot find lean ground beef for a price I'm willing to pay and use ground chuck, I use 2 pounds of meat as most of it is fat and gets cooked out and drained. As to the "seasoned salt", put whatever you want in it. What spices go into this depend on my mood when I'm cooking it. Oh, yeah, and the gravy: use what you have. If you *make* your own gravy or have something other than canned gravy, use it! Just make sure you're using approximately the same amount as the can would add.

Hamburger Noodle Casserole

Hamburger Noodle Casserole
adapted from the recipe at Taste of Home


1 bag whole wheat egg noodles
2 pounds lean ground beef (90% lean)
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
1 cup reduced-fat ricotta cheese
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese


Cook noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook beef and garlic until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt and pepper; heat through. Drain noodles; stir into beef mixture.

In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, ricotta cheese and sour cream until blended.

Spoon half of the noodle mixture into a 13-inch x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with cheese mixture and remaining noodle mixture.

Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake 5-10 minutes longer or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Yield: 10 servings.


**MY NOTES: I changed this recipe very little. As a matter of preference, I use whole wheat egg noodles, add a little more meat and cheese, and drop the green onions completely. This recipe is so easy that Mister and Girl can cook it with almost no input from me. On nights I actually cook it, I might toss in a few herbs for flavoring (a little parsley, a smidge of basil, etc.) if I remember/feel like it.

Cheeseburger Pasta

Cheeseburger Pasta
adapted from The New Cooking With 4 Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1/2 tsp minced garlic (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder - if using powder, add with soups)
1/3 cup minced onion
1 10.5 ounce can cheddar cheese soup
1 10.5 ounce can tomato bisque soup
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups uncooked shell pasta

Brown ground beef. Add onion and minced garlic and cook with ground beef until softened. Drain any fat remaining. Add soups, water, and pasta. Bring to a boil, cover and turn heat to medium. Cook 10-12 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring often.

Meatball Stroganoff

Meatball Stroganoff
adapted from the Meatball Stroganoff recipe at cooks.com


1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
1/3 cup onion, chopped (or rehydrated dehydrated onion flakes)
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder (or 1/2 tsp minced garlic)
1 can cream of mushroom with roasted garlic soup (cream of mushroom soup is fine)
2/3 cup sour cream
1/4 - 1/2 cup water
cooked noodles

In a large bowl combine hamburger, bread crumbs, onion, garlic, salt, and egg. Mix thoroughly and shape into balls of whatever size you want. Bake on broiler pan (or cooking rack set in pan to catch the any grease). Put meatballs in skillet (sauce pan, whatever) and add soup, sour cream, and water. Cover and simmer for 20 - 30 minutes, or until thickened. Serve over hot egg noodles.

note: I've used ground turkey without any problems 

Simple Taco Meat

[adapted from The Hillbilly Housewife's recipe here]

1 lb ground beef
2 tbsp flour
1/4 - 1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 - 3/4 cup water
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/8 - 1/4 tsp baking cocoa
1/4 - 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 - 1/4 tsp sugar
1/8 - 1/4 tsp ground allspice


Brown a pound of ground beef and use a fork to smash it into small bits. When it is brown drain off the fat. Add flour and stir until the meat is sort of dusty looking. Add chopped onion, garlic, and water. Sprinkle in chili powder, salt, pepper, baking cocoa, cinnamon, sugar, and allspice. Stir through and simmer until thickened.


***please note that ranging quantities for ingredients are estimates. Those should be added according to your tastes.

Shepherd's Pie (a la my mom)

[This is (sort of) how my mother has been making Shepherd's Pie since I was a little kid. The basic recipe is still there, I just sort of tweaked it a bit.]


1 pound ground beef
1 pound frozen mixed veggies (we prefer a carrot/green pea/corn/lima bean mix)
1/2 cup water (approximately)
1 tsp minced garlic
4 - 6 servings mashed potatoes
grated cheddar cheese (enough to cover)

Brown ground beef; drain. Return to pan. Add mixed vegetables and garlic. Stir to mix. Add enough water to keep from sticking to pan. Cover and cook on medium heat until vegetables are done to liking. Transfer beef/vegetable mixture to a baking dish. Top with mashed potatoes (cover completely). Top with grated cheddar cheese. Put in oven with low heat until cheese melts.

Oriental Burgers

[adapted from More Lean and Luscious by Bobbie Hinman and Millie Snyder. ISBN:0-914629-49-2]

1 pound lean ground beef
1 egg
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 tablespoon finely minced onion
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a large bowl, combine beef with remaining ingredients. Mix well. Shape into 4 patties. Place on a rack in a broiler pan. Cook approximately 3 inches from heat until done to taste, turning half-way through.