Not-so-Sloppy Joes

A summertime switch from the traditional hamburger!

Real prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4 adults
Side dish suggestions: corn on the cob, cantaloupe

Supplies:
• Large skillet
• Toaster

From the freezer:
• 1# ground beef or ground turkey

From the pantry:
• 1 can tomato paste (6 oz)
• 1 tbl chili powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbl cooking oil

Fresh:
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• ½ yellow onion, diced
• ½ c sour cream, optional
• ½ c shredded cheese, optional
• Toasted buns

Preparation:
1. Heat large skillet to medium with cooking oil, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Stir often, cooking for 3 minutes or until vegetables begin to soften.
2. Add ground meat and cook until no pink remains. Drain off grease.
3. Turn heat to low. Add spices and tomato paste, stir well.
4. Serve on toasted buns topped with sour cream and cheese, if you wish.

From Real Simple’s Great Food Fast
*If you add the corn to the water when you add the meat, everything should turn out on time.

Meatballs and Shells

Real prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
Side dish suggestions: green salad, garlic bread

Supplies:
• Large pot
• Baking sheet
• Medium bowl
• Cookie scooper, melon baller, or spoon

From the freezer:
• 1# ground beef or ground turkey, thawed

From the pantry:
• 1# box pasta shells
• 1/2 c bread crumbs
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp parsley
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 jar marinara

Fresh:
• 1 egg
• Parmesan (optional)

Preparation:
1. Combine ground meat, egg, oregano, basil, parsley, garlic salt, and bread crumbs in a medium bowl.
2. Scoop out meat in 1-inch balls and place onto baking sheet. (I cover the sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.) If you like, roll the balls so they are uniform. In your oven, move the top rack so it's 4-6 inches from the top. Turn on your broiler. If you have an option, use low.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions.
4. Broil meatballs for 6-8 minutes on until beginning to brown. Shake them around or flip them over and broil for 4-6 more minutes or until cooked through.
5. Drain and set aside shells. Dump the cooked meatballs into the pot you used for the pasta and add the marinara. Heat through.
6. Top the shells with the meatball marinara. Add grated parmesan if you like.

Shepherd's Pie

Technically this is "Cottage Pie", since Shepherd's Pie is made with lamb....but we Americans generally call it by this name, so I'll stick to tradition!

Real prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Serves: 4-6
Side dish suggestions: green salad

Supplies:

• Large skillet
• Medium pot
• 9x13 baking dish

From the freezer:

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 2 c. frozen vegetables (carrots, corn, peas)

From the pantry:

• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 c. beef broth
• 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
• salt
• pepper

Fresh:

• 6-7 medium potatoes, peeled & quartered
• 1 onion, chopped
• 8 Tbl butter
• milk

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Boil potatoes until tender.
3. Brown beef in skillet with onion until fully cooked & onions are tender.
4. Add frozen veggies, salt, pepper, worcestershire, broth & cream of mushroom. Stir & simmer on low heat.
5. Mash potatoes with butter & milk until creamy. Season to taste.
6. Place beef mixture in baking dish. Distribute mashed potatoes on top.
7. Cook at 400 degrees until bubbling and brown on top - approx. 30 min

Runzas

Real prep: 20 minutes (plus 8-10 hours for dough to thaw)
Bake time: 20 minutes
Serves: 6
Side dish suggestions: applesauce, tomato wedges

Supplies:

• rolling pin
• large skillet
• baking sheet

From the freezer:

• 2 loaves frozen bread dough
• 1# ground beef

From the pantry:

• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Fresh:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 c green cabbage, chopped

Preparation:
1. Let dough thaw on counter all day. (Tip: spray waxed paper with cooking spray. Place dough on waxed paper.)
2. Up to several hours in advance, brown ground beef and onions in skillet. Drain. Add cabbage, salt, and pepper. Stir over low heat until cabbage wilts. Use immediately or store in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
3. When ready to bake, heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out dough to a rectangle 1/4 inch thick. Cut into thirds. Each loaf should make three squares about 6 inches on a side.
4. Place 1/2 c filling mixture onto one half of each square. Fold each square over to form a triangle. Pinch edges together.

5. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray or coat with aluminum foil. Bake runzas for 20-25 minutes, until brown on top. (You can flip them over for the last five minutes to make sure the dough is cooked underneath.)

Approx. calories: 350 per runza

Taco Soup

Real prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes or all day
Serves 4
Side dish suggestions: tortilla chips, rice and beans, green salad

Supplies:

• Large saucepan

From the freezer:

• 1# ground beef or turkey

From the pantry:

• 1 can red kidney beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 small can tomato sauce

Optional extras (all, one, or some!):

• Shredded cheese, cheddar or monterey jack
• Tortilla chips, crushed
• Sour cream
• Salsa
• Cilantro

Prep:

1. Brown ground beef in large saucepan. Drain.
2. Add remaining ingredients plus 1/2 to 1 c water (your preference for thicker or thinner soup).
3. Heat till bubbly.
4. Serve now or turn heat to low and let simmer all day.