We’ve already established that today is Ash Wednesday. While in hour house that means fasting and abstinence, not everyone will be observing dietary restrictions for religious purposes. For some, this is just another Wednesday, for others it has meaning without the Catholic limitation. Fine by me.
Tag: Family-Friendly Suppers
Crunchy Doritos Chicken Casserole
Do you like crunch? How about the flavor of Cool Ranch? And Alfredo Sauce. And tomatoes. Are these striking a cord with you? Great, then we’ve got a casserole that is right up your alley.
Sunday Roasted Herb Chicken and Potatoes
Thank goodness, it’s Sunday. Sunday in the fall can only mean one thing – roast chicken! Golden, beautiful and just screaming of childhood memories. Many a Sunday we came home from Mass and sat down to a late afternoon supper of roasted chicken. The house was warm and filled with family. Cousins, aunts and uncles. People we weren’t really related to but called family anyway.
Crock Pot Pizza Pasta Get a Heavenly Stamp of Approval
Today Brother Dear would have been 62 years young. Over the years since his surrender to cancer, when I’ve felt that need to draw him near, I’ve cooked up one of his favorites. Sure enough, as the aromas float to the heavens, I feel his spirit smile, filling the room with warmth and joy. But the world moves on, and so must I.
Continue reading “Crock Pot Pizza Pasta Get a Heavenly Stamp of Approval”
Rhodes Curly Dogs
Here’s a fun idea that I picked up from Rhodes Breads – just a cute way to serve up an old family favorite – the hot dog. I served mine with big bowls of Baked Beans. It was fun, whimsical and we all felt like kids again.
Hamburger Helper Cheesy Italian Shells
If someone had told me that my 504th posting would have been how to make a Hamburger Helper Style meal without a box, I would have laughed. No way – I would have something sensational, something so awe-inspiring, it will knock your socks off. Yet, here it is. I will admit, I stressed about reaching over 500 posting – and then I realized it is just a number. The point of my little blog isn’t about numbers, it’s about enjoying my life, my family, and puttering about in my cozy kitchen. Simple pleasures and the sound of my guys laughing together – that’s what matters.
This is now my eighth “installment” of Hamburger Helper meals without using an actual box of “Hamburger Helper”. Yep, the easy, busy mom’s best friend, only without all the stuff no one wants to eat in the first place. Have you ever read a box of Hamburger Helper ingredients? Half of the ingredients are words I cannot even begin to pronounce – but have no fear – all those yellow and red dyes and words that seem to be a bunch of letters strung together have all been deemed safe for human consumption by the FDA – so no worries. Right? What’s that – you aren’t impressed? Neither am I. Especially when you consider how absolutely easy it is to skip the box and still have all the convenience of a quick, easy weeknight meal. Add a fresh salad, some warm bread and tall glasses of ice-cold milk – what more do you need? Oh, and just like the boxed variety – one pan will do the trick. Unlike the box variety – this dish has chunks of tomatoes you can actually see.
I adore suppers that only need a tossed salad and warm bread for the finishing touches – especially the bread part. Bread has to be my greatest weakness. I could easily sit down with a loaf of fresh-baked bread and sweet butter and call it a day. Happy, content. Okay, maybe a glass or two of a full-bodied red wine to go with the bread. Yeah, bread and wine – reminds me of a prior life – before Hubby. Sitting ’round a campfire on a beach in San Francisco, dining on warm, fresh-baked San Francisco Sourdough slathered in butter and drinking cheap wine from a Bota bag. And cheese. Yeah, bread, wine and cheese . . . oh, but I digress. We’re here to talk about Hamburger Helper-Style suppers.
Hamburger Helper Style Cheesy Italian Shells
Italian Shells:
1 lb Lean Ground Beef (Ground Turkey is fine, too)
1-2 Garlic Cloves, minced
2 ¼ Cups HOT water
½ Cup Milk
1 Can (14 oz) Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes with Garlic
2 Cups Medium Shell Pasta
1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese
Seasoning Package:
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
1 Tablespoon Italian Seasonings
1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1 Teaspoon Salt
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and garlic together. Drain well.
Add water, milk, tomatoes and pasta. Bring to a boil. Stir in seasoning package (everything else but the cheese). Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 12-15 minutes or until liquid has evaporated and noodles are tender.
Stir in the Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheeses, cover and simmer a few minutes more to allow cheese to melt.
Remove from heat, uncover, and allow to sit for 5 minutes for sauce to thicken.
That’s it – dinner is served.
What’s that? You missed the other seven posting? No need to worry – All delicious, all one-skillet, all family friendly.
Hamburger Helper Style Chili-Cheese Macaroni
Hamburger Helper Style Skillet Lasagna
Hamburg Helper Style Cheesy Jambalaya
Hamburger Helper Style Stroganoff
Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy – Simple Comfort Food
There’s something wonderful about simple, old-school comfort foods. The simplicity of the food and the warmth of fond memories transports us to another place and time. It’s good for the soul, especially when life seems to be running away with your sanity.
Continue reading “Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy – Simple Comfort Food”Crunchy Double Crusted Taco Pie
This is sort of a spin-off from the ever so popular Mexican Taco Ring. While lacking in lettuce; tomato and such; it makes up for in the crunch of Doritos Chips. I made it a point to get Ground Chuck from my butcher – love the robust; beefy flavor of chuck. If you are thinking 80% Lean is the same – it’s not. Chuck comes from the shoulder – while most other types of ground beef come from the hind leg. Be warned – Chuck has about three times the calories of other ground beef. Which begs the question – why is the more tasty cuts also the highest in calorie count?
Mexican Taco Ring and Family Game Night
I’ve made this Mexican Taco Ring several times now. I can’t believe I haven’t shared this fun recipe before.
Hamburg Helper Style Cheesy Jambalaya
Well folks, it’s been a while since we’ve made a Hamburger Helper Style supper – not since April have I shared a Hamburger Helper Style meal. Think of this as installment number three in the Hamburger Helper Style renditions
I know my family loves the whole Hamburger Helper concept, I like the fact that I know what is going into the pot so to speak. All around it’s a win-win for everyone. Rarely do I need to make a special trip to the market since most if not all the ingredients are things I have on-hand anyway. Who doesn’t have a few pounds of ground beef in the freezer at any given time – and the spices are your usual in-the-pantry items.
Don’t forget; putting together the dry ingredients; the seasoning package and instructions in a nice little gift bag or pretty little box makes for a great gift for new moms, college students or care givers – it shows a personal touch. You could even box up a few meals up to keep in your pantry for those “I’m too bushed to even think about cooking” night. We’re talking brown, simmer, eat. What can be easier?
Hamburger Helper Style Cheesy Jambalaya
Ingredients – Cheesy Jambalaya
1 lb Lean Ground Beef (or Turkey)
¾ Cup HOT water
2 Cups Milk
1 Cup Converted Rice
1 Cup Stewed or Diced Tomatoes, plain
1 Cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Drain well.
Add tomatoes, water, milk and rice. Bring to a boil. Stir in seasoning package.
Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15-20 minutes or until liquid has evaporated and rice is tender.
Stir in 1 cup of cheese, cover and simmer a few minutes more to allow cheese to melt.
Remove from heat, uncover, and allow to sit for 5 minutes for sauce to thicken.
Ingredients – Seasoning Package:
1 Tablespoon Arrowroot or other tasteless thickening agent
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
1 Teaspoon Basil
1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
½ Teaspoon Salt
¼ Teaspoon Sugar (optional)
½ Teaspoon Paprika
In a small bowl or sandwich bag, mix all the ingredients to make a seasoning package. Blend well and set aside until ready to use.
Other Hamburger Helper Style Favorites for your consideration:
Hamburger Helper Style Chili-Cheese Macaroni
Hamburger Helper Style Skillet Lasagna
Hamburger Helper Style Skillet Lasagna
As Hubby went through our shopping list, checking off things we didn’t need to buy, and making notes as to what was on sale, he saw a notation referring to Hamburger Helper Lasagna. Hubby pointed out that Hamburger Helper wasn’t on the list. I had to chuckle. We haven’t “bought” a box of Hamburger Helper in years – making our Hamburger Helper Style Suppers from “scratch”. You would have thought he might have noticed over the years. All Hubby knows is that I putter in the kitchen for about 30 minutes, then I call him to the table when it’s time to eat. For all he knows, I had already placed the empty boxes of Hamburger Helper in the recycle bin. Silly man.
Hamburger Helper Style Skillet Lasagna another installment of my Hamburger Helper Style Meals. So quick, so convenient and always a hit with my guys. Like Hamburger Helper Style Chili-Cheese Macaroni, this makes a great gift – be it for a new mom, your college dorm gang or a busy care-giver. Simply put the pastas into a large bag or jar, and the seasoning package into a small sandwich bag. Tuck the seasoning package into the large bag or jar of pasta along with the instructions and a personal note. These store well in the pantry, only requiring the “fresh” ingredients to be added when cooked and there you have it – a one skillet supper. You could even include the can of tomatoes for this one if you like.
Hamburger Helper Style Skillet Lasagna
Ingredients – Seasoning Package
1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
1 Tablespoon Italian Seasonings
1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1 Teaspoon Salt
½ Teaspoon Sugar (optional)
In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the seasoning package.
Set aside until ready to use.
Ingredients – Skillet Lasagna
1 lb Lean Ground Beef (or Turkey)
1-2 Garlic Cloves, minced
2 ¼ Cups HOT water
½ Cup Milk
1 Cup Stewed or diced Canned Tomatoes, Italian style
1 ½ Cups Small Egg Noodles
¾ Cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and garlic together. Drain well.
While meat is browning, mix together Seasoning Package (Recipe Below).
Add water, milk, tomatoes and pasta. Bring to a boil. Stir in seasoning package. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 12-15 minutes or until liquid has evaporated and noodles are tender.
Stir in the Mozzarella cheese, cover and simmer a few minutes more to allow cheese to melt.
Remove from heat, uncover, sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and allow to sit for 5 minutes for sauce to thicken.
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