It’s that time of the month where we are on rations.  The pantry is stocked with basics and very little of anything else.   I’ve learned over the years that you can turn anything into a casserole.  While I’m sure others have made this recipe in a similar fashion, I myself have no clue what to call it.  I will say, it turned out pretty good, with no leftovers.

Now focus on the casserole baking dish for just  sec.  It’s beautiful, it’s perfect, it’s Le Creuset.  There’s a reason people love to want these cooking pieces and it’s because they are built with quality, are made in beautiful colors, and cook very well–evenly.  I absolutely love it.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef
• 2 cups corn
• 2 cans ranch style beans
• 1 1/2 cups of Kraft Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 1 can of Ro*tel ( you can also use a packet of taco seasoning as  sub)
• 2 cup of biscuit baking mix
• 1/2 cup water

DIRECTIONS

Cook Rotel and ground beef in skillet until done; add corn, beans, 1/2 cup of cheese and mix together.  Pour mixture into baking casserole dish.  In a small bowl, mix baking mix and water and pour over the meat/bean mixture in casserole dish.  Top with cheese and bake for 25 minutes at 375′.

Nor is it healthy when topped with all that cheese but it’s very good to eat and GREAT to make when feeding a large crew.  I’ve always seen this cooked in this way but would love to hear your variations if you make something similar.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ small onion chopped
• 6 to 8 saltine crackers, crushed
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup, divided
• 1 cup cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS

Combine the ground beef, onion, egg and about ¾ of the soup in a bowl. Add the crackers to the beef and mix till combined.  Put in a baking dish and form it like a meat loaf. Spread the remaining soup on top.
(It is better to have a casserole with higher sides so that when you top with mashed potatoes there will be room)

Bake @ 350 degrees for approx. 1 hour  While it is baking prepare the mashed potatoes.  When the beef is done top with the mashed potatoes and sprinkle the cheese on top.  Place back in oven till cheese has melted.

The lovely dish is Temp-Tations from QVC.  They offer many beautiful styles, including the one below.  The meal itself isn’t a pretty one but it always helps to serve it up in something pretty!

This guest post is brought to you by my mom who told me not to tell you that she submitted this recipe but I am ’cause that’s how I roll.  Here’s my Mom’s Tortellini Soup!

INGREDIENTS:

• 3/4 lb cooked hamburger or Italian sausage crumbled
• 1 can Italian recipe stewed tomatoes (ie..Del Monte)
• 1 can (14 oz) beef broth
• 1 package tortellini, cooked al dente
• 1 can Italian green beans
• 2 green onions, sliced

DIRECTIONS:

Combine hamburger, tomatoes, broth and 1 3/4 cups water; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low; stir in tortellini, green beans and onions.  Gently cook until heated through.  Season with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with grated Parmesan Cheese if desired.

Makes 4 servings (about 2 1/2 cups each)

TIP: If you don’t have Italian stewed tomatoes…I use regular stewed or just diced tomatoes in a can and add some Italian seasoning.

Okay, so I really don’t know the name of this recipe. It was given to me by a friend of mine years ago. It’s been a cowboy favorite for many years for me. People try to take short cuts like NOT pan frying the patties but you can’t do that! It’s not the same if you don’t pan fry them! Thank you to Johnna for giving me the recipe and many others.

INGREDIENTS:

• Ground beef formed into patties
• Cheddar Cheese
• 2 Cans Cream of chicken or 1 can of cream of chicken & 1 of cream of mushroom
• Green Chilies but I highly recommend Rotel!  I know many of you don’t have Rotel though.
• Flour

DIRECTIONS:

Flour up your patties and start frying them.  While they are cooking, mix up your cream of soups and green chilies and set aside.  When patties are done, place in casserole dish and cover with soup mixture.  Top with cheese and bake in 350′ oven until warm and cheese melts.

Served with my quick bread rolls, green beans and mash taters!

Not the best picture I know but I was having a bad day;)