Meatball and Orzo Soup

I'm a HUGE fan of soup, but it is sometimes hard to find one which garners as much enthusiasm with the kids as it does with me.  This one comes close.  It's also extremely easy to make and comes together quickly. And if you use turkey meatballs it's quite healthy as well.

Meatball and Orzo Soup

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
2 carrots,finely diced
1 1/2 tsp.minced garlic
32 oz. reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup water
15 oz.  petite-diced tomatoes, with their liquid  (I will also sometimes use Italian or Fire-Roasted tomatoes for an extra boost of flavor.)
1 lb. pre made meatballs or turkey meatballs (I like the Italian Meatballs at Aldi the best.)
1/2 cup ditalini noodles or orzo
3 cups fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
dash of crushed red pepper, optional (I leave this out for the kids, as they don't like the heat.)

1. In a largestockpot, heat the oil over medium heat. When it is hot add the onions, carrots and garlic, and sauté them until they onions and carrots are tender, about 5 minutes.
2.  Add the broth, water, and tomatoes, cover it, and bring it to a boil. Add the meatballs and orzo, and stir frequently for a minute or two so the noodles don’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Add crushed red pepper, if using.  Simmer the soup for 15 minutes, partially covered, stirring occasionally.
3.  Stir in the spinach and let it wilt for one minute. Season the soup with salt and pepper to taste, and serve it immediately.

As with many soups, I like to serve it with my perfect Bread Machine Dinner Rolls.


source:  Mom Made Foods

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

I must admit, that once or twice I've cheated on this one and used store-bought meatballs when they were on sale.  Beef prices being what they are, I'll usually go for the cheaper option.  Given a decent price for ground beef, however, these are pretty easy to do.
When I've done them with the cheap frozen meatballs, I've just prepared the sauce and put it with the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker for a couple of hours.  When making them from scratch I usually prefer just to do it on the stovetop since it is relatively quick to make.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

1 lb. extra lean ground beef
2 Tbsp. minced dried onion
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 egg
1/4 c. bread crumbs

Sauce:
3/4 c. brown sugar
3 Tbsp. flour
1 1/2 c. pineapple juice
1/4 c. white vinegar
3 Tbsp. soy sauce

1.  Spray a foil lined baking sheet with cooking spray.  Combine meatball ingredients.  (This is best done with your hands.)  Shape meat mixture into 1 inch balls and place on on the cooking sheet.  (For this you can use a small cookie scoop.)  Place under the broiler 5-7 minutes or until brown.
2.  Meanwhile, combine sauce ingredients in a saucepan and whisk together over medium heat.  Bring to a boil.  Add the meatballs, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
Serve over rice.

source:  Our Best Bites Cookbook

Cheeseburger Soup

This recipe comes from one of the teachers at the school where I used to work.  She brought it to a potluck and everybody raved about it so she forwarded on the recipe.  My husband also raved about it and has deemed it blog-worthy. 
I usually buy ground beef in a large family size package or two when it goes on sale and brown most of it up immediately and then freeze it in 1 lb. packages to make for easy recipes.  This one came together pretty quickly as a result.  

Cheeseburger Soup

3/4 c. chopped onions
3/4 c. chopped carrots
3/4 c. chopped celery
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. parsley
1 Tbs. butter
3 c. chicken broth
1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
4 c. peeled, diced potatoes

3 Tbs. butter
1/4 c. flour
1 1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. sour cream
12 oz. processed American cheese (Velveeta or sliced American cheese)
salt & pepper 

1. In large saucepan, saute onions, carrots, celery, basil, and parsley in butter until tender, about 10 minutes. 
2. Add broth, potatoes, and beef.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 10 to 12 minutes until potatoes are tender.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt butter.  Stir in flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until bubbly.  
4.  Stir in milk and sour cream.  Cook until thickened, stirring often.  Add cheese and heat on low until melted smooth.  
5.  Add cheese sauce to soup. Stir until well blended.  Add salt & pepper to taste.

source:  Allyson M.

Taco Bake

Okay, gourmet food it isn't, but my family really likes it.  My husband doesn't normally like macaroni and cheese, but this version, dressed up with taco meat and salsa, makes for a yummy, kid-friendly, quick meal which he also enjoys.  Especially if, like me, you cook your taco meat up ahead of time.

Taco Bake

1 box macaroni & cheese dinner
1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. taco seasoning
3/4 c. sour cream
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 c. salsa

1.  Prepare mac & cheese according to directions on box.  Once completed, stir in sour cream.
2.  Meanwhile, brown ground beef, add taco seasoning according to directions.
3. Spray 2 qt baking dish with cooking spray.  Spoon in 1/2 of mac & cheese mixture.  Top with meat, 1 c. shredded cheese and remaining mac & cheese.
4.  Cover and bake 15 minutes at 400 degrees.
5.  Top with salsa and remaining cheese and bake uncovered fore 5 more minutes.
Serve.

source: Kraft Food & Family

Mexican Tortilla Skillet

As a variation of taco night, this one may be my favorite as far as ease of preparation.  It was made even easier this time since last time I bought ground beef I cooked and seasoned it and then portioned it into the freezer right away.  I like to serve this with a little sour cream and a side of lime flavored tortilla chips

Mexican Tortilla Skillet

1 lb. ground beef
1 clove minced garlic
1 pkg. taco seasoning
6 tortillas
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1/2 c. salsa
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 chopped green pepper (optional)

1.  Brown ground beef.  Add garlic and taco seasoning and stir.
2.  Using a pizza cutter, cut the tortillas into 1 in. squares.
3.  Add tomatoes, salsa and tortillas to skillet.  Cook about 5 minutes, adding water if it seems to dry.  Once heated through, sprinkle cheese on top, turn off heat, and cover until cheese is melted.  Sprinkle with green pepper, if using.

source:  Family Feasts for $75 a Week

Dorito Salad

Traditional Mexican food it is not, but it's on our plates for Cinco de Mayo.
Note that this is a very large salad.  It can be the main course for a family dinner, or makes a great potluck item. 

Dorito Salad

1 lb. ground beef
1 can dark red kidney beans or black beans, drained
1 head lettuce, chopped
4 med. tomatoes, chopped
1/2 purple onion chopped
1 sliced avocado
1 bag crushed Doritos (about 10 oz.)
3/4-1 c. Catalina dressing

1.  Brown the ground beef until completely cooked.  Drain excess grease.  Add the can of beans and simmer a few minutes until warmed through.
2.  Toss the remaining ingredients together. 
Serve immediately.

 source:  Jill P.

Hamburger Stroganoff

My kids like this one...if I can hide the mushrooms well enough. 

Hamburger Stroganoff

1 pkg. egg noodles
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. onion thinly sliced
1/4 c. water
2 Tbsp. flour
1 4oz. can sliced mushrooms
1 can cream of mushroom soup
8 oz. sour cream
salt and pepper

1.  Cook egg noodles according to directions.  Meanwhile,  spray a pan with cooking spray and saute onions until tender.  Remove onion.
2.  In same pan, lightly brown meat. Spoon off all but 1 or 2 Tbsp fat.
3.  Sprinkle in 1/2 flour, stirring and cooking 1 min.  Add water and stir to make a little gravy.
4.   Add in onion, cream of mushroom soup and another 1/2 c. water.  Stir.  Cover and cook over low heat a few minutes until meat is done.
5.  Stir in sour cream and salt and pepper to taste.
6.  Stir over prepared noodles.

source:  Diana B.

Taco Casserole

This is a nice variation to the traditional "taco night."  It's meant to be eaten in a bowl, though you can certainly try wrapping it up in the tortilla of your choice if you wish.

Taco Casserole

1 lb. ground beef
1 med. onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1/2 c. tomato juice or water
2 T. chili powder
1/4 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
1 can chili beans in sauce
8 oz. corn chips

garnish options:
chopped onion, lettuce, tomato, shredded cheese, black olives, sour cream

1.  Brown ground beef.  Add onion and garlic, and drain excess fat.
2.  Stir in tomato sauce, oregano, tomato juice or water, and chili powder.  Simmer a few minutes to let flavors combine.
3.  In a greased 2 qt. casserole dish, layer meat mixture, chili beans, and corn chips.
4. Cover and bake at 350 for 450 minutes.
5.  Serve topped with garnishes of your choice.

source:  Erin P.

Meatloaf

Like chili, every household has it's own meatloaf recipe.  Except mine.  My dad was not terribly fond of meatloaf, so I can't remember having it once in my childhood.  In fact the first time I remember eating it was in a college dorm cafeteria.  The first time I made it was in the first year of my marriage.  I overcooked it, however, and the ketchup on the top was scorched black.  When I tried to apologize for it to my new husband he told me, "That's okay, I like it this way."  I proceeded to burn it for a couple more years until our newlywed phase had ended and he finally told me was just being polite before and that it would be okay with him if I did not burn the meatloaf.

One way to keep from burning it is do it in the slow cooker.  It doesn't get quite as crispy on the outside, but it holds together well and cooks through without burning. 

Meatloaf

1 lb. ground beef
1 egg
1/2 c. quick cooking oats
1/2 pkg. dry onion soup mix
1/4 c + 1 Tbsp. ketchup

1.  Combine ingredients, reserving 1 Tbsp. ketchup, in a large bowl.  Mix together with hands.
2.  Place into a loaf pan.  Top with remaining 1 Tbsp. ketchup
3.  Bake at 400 for 35-35 minutes.

For the slow cooker:
2. Shape into a loaf.  Place into crock pot.  Top with remaining ketchup.
3.  Cover and cook on high 4-6 hours or low 8-10 hours.

*When making it in the slow cooker, especially for Sunday dinner, I like to wash and pierce potatoes, wrap them in foil, and place them around and on top of the meatloaf.  Your meat and potatoes will be done at the same time with minimal preparation.

source:  James B.

Chili

There are as many chili recipes out there as there are people.  Within my own family, this basic recipe has evolved to be different in each of my siblings' households.  Any way you make it, it's a great recipe for a cold day.

The Chili-O seasoning is key to my family's recipe, but when I run short I just use chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and paprika.
The beans may be light or dark kidney beans, red beans, or chili beans.  I usually like to mix it up with a can or two of chili beans mixed with kidney beans.  The chili ready tomatoes add the most flavor, but regular diced tomatoes will work as well. 


Chili

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cans chili-ready tomatoes
3 cans beans
2 pkgs. Chili-O seasoning
salt & pepper

1.  In skillet, cook ground beef until lightly browned.  Season with salt & pepper.
2.  Add onion and green pepper and cook for a few minutes until tender.
3.  Put meat/onion/pepper mixture in the slow cooker.  Add canned tomatoes and beans (Do not drain tomatoes.)
4.  Stir in Chili-O seasoning.
5.  Cook in slow cooker on low for 3-4 hours or on high 6-8 hours.
6.  Serve with Fritos, shredded cheddar and sour cream.

source:  Emily B.

Taco Soup

I love recipes where I can just open cans, dump them into a pot and create something yummy in minutes. This one is already heavy on the veggies, but if you want to make it even lighter, you can omit the ground beef or use ground turkey instead.

Taco Soup 

1 lb. ground beef seasoned w/ salt & pepper 
1 onion, chopped

2 cans Mexican style stewed tomatoes (or diced)

1-2 cans red kidney beans

1 can corn 

1 can green beans 

½ pkg. taco seasoning  

1 can refried beans 

1.  Brown hamburger, when lightly browned add onions and cook until done.

2.  Place hamburger and onions in a pot, and add all other ingredients.  Do NOT drain cans, you will use all the liquid in the cans.  

3.  Stir on med heat until combined and heated through.

4.  Serve with Fritos or tortilla chips and shredded cheese.

source:  Allison R.