Cheese Tortellini Soup

This recipe is from my good friend Tawna Fuller. The tortellini used in the pic were from Costco and really good, but they were too big for this soup.  The smaller ones work lots better.

Cheese Tortellini Soup

1 lb. hamburger (or sausage)
1 onion
1-3 garlic cloves
6 cups beef broth
1 (28 oz.) can stewed tomatoes (or 1 quart bottled tomatoes)
1 can tomato sauce
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 cups cubed zucchini
1 cup chopped green pepper
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 c parsley
2 cups frozen cheese tortellini (or more, we like lots more!)
*Fresh grated parmesan for garnish (optional)

Brown the hamburger, garlic, and onion together.  Add all the other ingredients except the tortellini.  Bring to a boil, and then simmer about 20 minutes.  Cook the pasta according to package directions, and then add it to the soup. 

Crockpot directions:
Brown the hamburger, garlic, and onion together.  Transfer to a slow cooker, add all other ingredients except the tortellini.  Cook on high 4-5 hours.  Cook the pasta according to the package directions, drain, and add to soup.  Cook 30 more minutes. 

Note: This is extremely tasty when you add a sprinkle of grated fresh parmesan cheese when serving!

Goulash

This recipe is adapted from Paula Deen's Goulash recipe.  It is quick and easy, and it's very kid friendly.  I've changed a lot from her original recipe mostly because her recipe takes 1 hour and 45 minutes!  The main thing I like about this recipe is how quickly it can come together.  The way I do it will take a total of about 30 minutes, which is much more reasonable to do on a school night when their is homework and scouts and everything else to do.

Goulash
1 lb hamburger
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

-Brown the hamburger and onion together, and then add the garlic when the hamburger is almost done. Season with salt and pepper.

Add:
3 c. water
2 cans tomato sauce
2 cans diced tomatoes or 1 quart home canned tomatoes
1 1/2 Tbs. Italian Seasoning
3 bay leaves
3 Tbs. soy sauce
2 c. frozen corn
1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Simmer for 10 minutes, and then add:

3 c. elbow macaroni (uncooked)

Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until noodles are tender.  Remove bay leaves and then serve.

Tips:
-Sprinkle with cheese while still hot if desired.
-Sour cream can also be added if yo want.
-This is for a thicker, dryer goulash.  If you want it a little runnier then add another can of tomato sauce or tomatoes, or you can reduce the amount of dry macaroni noodles you put in.

Meatloaf

This is a favorite at our house, and there is never any leftovers!  I have to at least double the recipe, plus I usually do baked potatoes with it as a filler.  The pictures don't always make it look super appetizing, but I promise its good. 

Meatloaf
1 lb. hamburger
1/4 c. chopped onion
1 Tbs. vinegar
1 Tbs. brown sugar
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tbs. soy sauce
1 tsp. prepared mustard
1 egg, beaten
1 can tomato sauce (reserve a little to drizzle over top)
bread crumbs (I break up about 2 pieces of bread)
salt
pepper


Mix everything together, reserving a little of the tomato sauce for the top.  Put mixture into loaf pans or a small glass casserole dish.  Drizzle reserved tomato sauce over top, or use ketchup.  Bake at 350 degrees about an hour.

Tips:
*If you like stuffed green peppers, cut the green peppers in half and stuff with the meat mixture.  Place on a cookie sheet to cook.
*If you are in a hurry, try cooking at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.  It will be slightly drier and a little crispier on the edges, but I do it often. 
*I rarely measure any of the ingredients.  I just throw it all in.  It comes out great. 
*If you only have a single oven you can cook baked potatoes at the same time in the oven with the meatloaf. 


 Mix everything together in a large bowl (sorry, this stainless steel bowl didn't make for a very good picture). Spread into loaf pans or small casserole dish.

Drizzle the top with the remaining tomato sauce.  You could also use ketchup if you wanted to.  Bake at 350 1 hour or 400 30 minutes. 

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

My kids love these meatballs!  Tonight I used 2 /2 lbs of hamburger instead of the original recipe and had only 3 meatballs left over.  I can't wait until my infant and toddler become young boys and start eating a ton like my older three do (kidding!).  My older three are eaters for sure.  

Meatballs: 

1 1/2 lb. hamburger

3/4 c. rolled oats

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

Sauce:

1 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. vinegar

1 tsp. mustard

1/4 c. BBQ sauce

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Meatball Directions:  Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix well (I use my hands).  Form into small balls and place in a glass casserole dish.  I like to use a cookie dough baller to make the meatballs.  Bake at 375 degrees about 30 minutes.  While cooking, prepare the sauce. When meatballs are done, poor the sauce over top and bake another 5 minutes.  Serve over Rice.

Sauce directions:

Whisk all together and cook over medium heat.  Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes.  Poor over meatballs.  

Skillet Lasagna

I got this recipe from a friend who cooks for only herself and her husband.  I love it because it is so simple!  I've made lasagna the old-fashioned way, but not anymore.  I always have the ingredients on hand for this dish, and my boys LOVE it!

1 lb. ground beef

10 lasagna noodles, broken into 2 inch pieces.

1 jar (16 oz.) marinara sauce

2 cups water

1 cup shredded cheese blend

¾ c. ricotta (or cottage cheese)

1.  Brown beef with onion in a large skillet; salt and pepper.  Drain off fat.  Stir in noodles, sauce, and water; bring to a boil.  Cover; reduce heat and simmer, stirring often.  Cook 18 minutes or until noodles are tender.

2.  Remove from heat; stir in ½ c. shredded cheese.  Spoon ricotta on top; add remaining cheese.  Cover 3 minutes to melt cheese. 

*Notes: I often use dehydrated onions versus real onions.  Just add them when you add the water.  About a tablespoon or maybe a little less.  Also,  I use whatever cheese I have on hand.