Sloppy Joes

Why feel under pressure to make a big dinner, when sometimes something super simple is just perfect in a pinch?  This recipe is just the simplest ever, and very yummy.

Prep 10 minutes or less.   Serves 6

l lb ground beef browned with
1/4 cup chopped onion (or whatever you'd like) and
1/4 cup chopped green pepper (or to taste)

Drain the juices and add:
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. prepare mustard
3/4 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook - or rather, simmer, for about 30 minutes.  I added a bit of water to keep the mixture from getting too thick and sticking.  That's it.
Serve on hamburger buns with veggies or fruit or whatever sounds good.
 I made an easy cole slaw with cabbage, sliced green onions and ranch dressing. If it stands in the fridge for a couple of hours that's nice, but not necessary.

PS if you feel fancy you can add chopped celery to the sloppy Joes, or some sausage. But why?  It's good just as it is. I added celery because I didn't have green pepper. You couldn't tell the difference.

Mexican Lasagna

This is SO easy - There's no right way, so improvise to you heart's content!


1 package Taco seasoning
1 lb. ground beef or cooked chicken (you can buy it precooked)
1 - 14 ounce can of tomatoes - plain, or Mexican style - diced
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup  grated cheese or more to taste(Mexican style, medium cheddar or whatever you have)
10 corn totillas - torn or cut into strips or pieces


Cook the meat and drain off juices.  Mix with Taco seasoning, tomatoes, and salsa.
Layer twice with cheese in a glass pan
Top with extra cheese

Bake at 350º about 20 or 30 mintes or till bubbly and brown on top


You can add all kinds of things to this to make it more interesting - chopped chilies, olives, diced onions, etc.

Lasagna (Does Part Costco Count?)

Don't Laugh.

Buy the big round flat Spinach and Cheese Filled Ravioli's in the deli section

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 pound ground beef

8 oz package shredded mozzarella cheese

Don't worry about cooking the ravioli first.

Brown the ground beef and drain off the fat

In a pan, layer about a third of the sauce, then 1/2 of the meat, 1/3 of the cheese, and then the ravioli. Do it again.

Top with the leftover sauce and cheese and bake at 400 degrees until it's bubbly. I think about a half hour should do it.

Super easy!

Fajitas

In a Crock Pot place...

4 chicken breasts

1 cup water

1 package Fajitas seasoning

Cook for 4 hours on high or 6 on low

Slice...

1 green pepper

1 red pepper

1 onion

Saute in a pan with a little olive oil

Shred the chicken and put it in a bowl.

Serve with warm tortillas, cheese, salsa, sour cream and diced tomatoes.

If you want to be super fancy, combine equal parts sour cream and green taco sauce to make a yummy dressing.

So good.
Tara