Patty Melts

 

 Last week I served these up for us during the Texas football game. Our team hasn't been doing really good so far this year so I made us some good ole comfort food to get us through another game. These sandwiches helped my hubby forget about the game for a little bit. ;)

Ingredients

• 1 stick Butter
• 1 whole Large Onion, Halved And Sliced
• 1-1/2 pound Ground Beef
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 5 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
• 8 slices Swiss Cheese
• 8 slices french bread

 Directions:

Start your grill to medium heat.
In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Throw in the sliced onions and cook slowly for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and soft.

In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, salt & pepper, and Worcestershire. Form into 4 patties.
Take your patties out to the grill and cook the patties on both sides until totally done in the middle, or to however you like your ground beef cooked.
After you have cooked your meat bring them inside and assemble you sandwiches.
Take your bread, a slice of cheese, one of the hamburger patties, 1/4 of the cooked onions, another slice of cheese, and lastly another slice of bread. In a clean skillet melt 2 tablespoons of butter and grill the sandwiches over medium heat until golder brown.  Remove the sandwiches and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Turn the sandwiches to the skillet, flipping them to the other side. Cook until golden brown and crisp, and until cheese is melted.

Slice in half and serve immediately!

Recipe modified from The Pioneer Woman

All American Burger Dogs

 

Isn't this the most fun way to eat a hamburger?!?! Make it a Burger Dog!! I ran across this idea on All Recipes and knew immediately that I wanted to make these for my family. I will tell you that they all laughed at me when I told them what we were having for dinner, but NOBODY complained once they started eating. Everyone said, "These are actually really good!" Not sure what was different (because we made them the exact way we make our regular burgers), but I think the fun presentation made them more enjoyable than just a round patty and round buns. ;)

Ingredients:

2 lbs extra lean ground beef
8 hotdog buns
hamburger seasoning (we used Lawry's) 
shredded cheese
dill pickle relish
mustard
mayo
ketchup
onions
lettuce
tomatoes

Directions:

Heat your grill. Make your ground beef into the shape of a hotdog. Season your meat.

Cook on the grill until your meat reaches your desired doneness.

Place patty inside of a hotdog bun and top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy!! ;)

Taquito's

 

My family LOVES taco's. We love both beef and chicken taco meat. I make our meat using McCormick's Taco Seasoning, which is what I used for this recipe instead of the ingredients given below. You can buy it for both beef or chicken. It is so good! I use the meat in taco shells, on nacho's, chalupas, and even in crescent rolls all bundled up into a little piece of heaven. ;) This recipes has you putting the meat into flour tortillas and placing them in the oven to get a little crispy on the outside. Yummy!! One thing though, that we learned, was to let them cool for a bit. We got so excited to try these that we took big bites and burned our mouths because they were still piping hot inside. Please be careful and let them cool. :)

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for brushing on taquitos
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1 cup salsa, plus more for dipping
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
10 flour tortillas or you could use corn
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterrey Jack
Sour Cream & Guacamole (optional)

Directions:
Heat oven to 400 F. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook them for 3 minutes, stirring often. Add the beef and use a wooden spoon or a spatula to break it up while it cooks, until it is no longer red, about 3 minutes.

(I substituted the following with the taco seasoning) Stir in 1/2 cup salsa, the chili powder, and the salt and pepper. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, for ten minutes.

Place the tortillas on a plate and cover them with damp paper towels. Microwave them until warm and pliable, about 45 seconds. Top each tortilla with 1/4 cup of the beef mixture, spreading it to an inch from the edges. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the beef.

Roll up the tortillas and place them on a foil lined baking sheet with the seam sides down. Brush the taquitos lightly with vegetable oil, then bake them until the filling is heated through and the tortillas are lightly browned, about 8-12 minutes. Serve them hot with sour cream, guacamole, and/or salsa.

Recipe adapted from: Six Sisters Stuff

Beefy Cheesy Stuffed Baked Potatoes

   

Ingredients:

• 4 medium baking potatoes, washed, skins left on
• 8 ounces ground beef, extra lean
• 2 cups broccoli florets, finely chopped
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, low-fat, shredded, divided
• 1/2 cup sour cream, light
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1/4 cup fat free half and half (or use fat free chicken or beef broth)
• 1 teaspoon Montreal Steak Seasoning
• 1/4 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic salt
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Directions:

1. Pierce potatoes all over with a fork. Place in the oven at 425 degrees F until the potatoes are soft. When cooking is complete, set potatoes aside to cool down enough that the potato can be handled.
2. While the potatoes cook, brown meat, onion and minced garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When mixture is completely cooked remove from heat and allow to cool, season with Montreal Steak seasoning mix. 
3. Put broccoli in a microwave safe bowl, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon water, cover and cook until tender about 2 minutes. Drain the broccoli; add to the meat.
4. Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, carefully cut the potatoes in half. Leaving a 1/4 inch border all around the potato, scoop out the inside into a medium bowl. Place the potato shells in a baking dish. 
5. Add 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, sour cream, fat free half and half, garlic salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste to the potato insides and mash with a fork or potato masher. Add half the scallions and all of the broccoli and meat to the potato mixture; stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
6. Evenly divide the potato mixture among the potato shells and top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese and sprinkle with the remaining green onions.
7. Place back in the oven until the filling is hot and the cheese is melted, 10 minutes.

Source: Nutmeg Notebook

Blue Cheese & Spinach Meatloaf Muffins

 

Yum Yum and Extra Yum!! These were delicious! My husband and I really enjoyed the mix of flavors in these cute little Meatloaf Muffins. These were not kid friendly with the kiddos, but I figured as much. Just the mention of onions scare the kids and they won't even try it. Usually if I chop them up extra small they don't even know they are in the dish, but I couldn't fool them this time. ;)

My husband and I both thought that the muffins would be really good with a brown gravy over the top. We will have to try that next time. I hope you get the chance to make this yummy treat!


Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped fresh spinach
2 eggs
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a large muffin pan with cooking spray.

Combine ground beef, blue cheese, onion, bread crumbs, spinach, eggs, and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl until well blended. Divide meat mixture evenly into the prepared muffin pan.

Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees F.

Source: www.allrecipes.com

Korean Beef

This is such a great recipe not only because it is delicious, but it is also quick, cheap, and easy. Perfect on week nights when everything is crazy busy.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1/4-1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger 
• 1/2-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper (to desired spiciness) 
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 bunch green onions, diced (I forgot this at the store but went ahead and made the dish anyway. Don't forget the onions! It adds a lot to the dish)

Directions:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown hamburger with garlic in the sesame oil.

Drain most of the fat and add brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, salt and pepper, and red peppers. Simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors.

Serve over steamed rice and top with green onions.

Source: www.eatathomecooks.com

Cheddar Broccoli Loaded Baked Potato Skins with Avocado Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

• 8 small Idaho potatoes, scrubbed and dried
• canola oil/cooking spray
• salt
• 8 oz. broccoli florets, chopped (about 4 cups)
• 4 slices of bacon, crumbled
• 3/4 cup extra-sharp Cheddar, shredded

Avocado Creme:

• 2 scallions, thinly sliced, green reserved
• 1 medium avocado, peeled and pitted
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 F.
Pierce potatoes several times with a fork and wrap in paper towels. Microwave on high for 12-15 minutes, until potatoes are cooked through. Remove from microwave and cool until potatoes are easy to handle. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scoop out about half of the inside of the potato, leaving skin intact. Reserve scooped potato flesh for another use.

Brush both inside and outside of potatoes with oil (I used the canola oil cooking spray) and sprinkle with salt. Place potatoes, skin-side down, on a baking sheet and bake until skins are crisp and edges are golden brown, about 20 minutes.

In the meantime, prepare the filling. Steam the broccoli until crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and set aside. Cook bacon over medium heat until crisp and set aside on a paper towel to drain.

To make avocado cream, combine scallion whites, avocado, sour cream, lime juice, cilantro, garlic and salt in a small bowl.

You can use a fork to mix and make smooth or you could put it in a food processor and process on high until smooth. About 30 seconds. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Toss the broccoli with cheese (I also threw in the potato as well instead of using it later) filling evenly among potatoes. Lower oven to 400 degrees F and return potatoes to oven until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

Spoon 1 tablespoon of the avocado cream on top of broccoli-filled potatoes, then top with scallion greens and 1 teaspoon crisped bacon bits. Serve hot.

Serves 8

Source: ahintofhoney.com

Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, shredded
• 1 c. celery, chopped
• 2 (28oz.) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (16oz.) can red kidney beans, drained
• 1 (16oz.) can white kidney beans, drained
• 4 cups beef stock
• 3 tsp. oregano
• 2 tsp. pepper
• 5 tsp. parsley
• 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce
• 1 (20oz.) jar traditional spaghetti sauce
• 8 oz. pasta

Instructions:

• Brown ground beef in a large skillet.
• Add beef and all ingredients except the pasta into a large crock pot. 
• Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
• Before serving, cook pasta according to directions. Drain and add to soup.

Source: www.favfamilyrecipes.com

Meatloaf Cupcakes

Ingredients

Meatloaf

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup ketchup, divided
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, (raw)
• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• cooking spray

Mashed Potatoes

• 4 cups cubed peeled Yukon gold potatos (about 2 pounds)
• 1/4 cup 2% reduced-fat milk
• 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Garnish

• 3 tablespoons chopped chives
• 4 pieces of bacon cooked and then chopped

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add chopped onion, chopped carrot, dried oregano, and minced garlic, saute 2 minutes or until tender.

Combine onion mixture, 1/2 cup ketchup, and the remaining ingredients except cooking spray in a large bowl.

Spoon the meat mixture into 12 muffin cups coated with cooking spray. Top each with 2 teaspoons of ketchup. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until a thermometer registers 160. Let stand for 5 minutes.

While the meatloaf is cooking, make the mashed potatoes. Place potatoes in a sauce pan; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until tender. Drain. Return potatoes to pan. Add milk and remaining ingredients; stir with a spoon until desired consistency.

I scooped my potatoes with a spoon and placed on top of each meatloaf. But, if you have a pastry bag you could put the mashed potatoes into a pastry bag with a wide star tip and pipe the mashed potatoes on top of the meatloaf. Sprinkle with bacon crumbles and chopped chives.

Source: www.recipebyphoto.com

This recipe is linked up at houseofhepworths.com

Taco Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground meat
• Package of McCormick Taco seasoning mix
• 1 can pinto beans 
• tortilla chips
• shredded lettuce
• 2 Roma tomatoes dices
• shredded cheese
• olives sliced
• sour cream
• guacamole 

Directions:

• On the stove top in a large pan brown your ground meat. Drain the fat.
• Add your package of McCormick Taco seasoning. Follow instructions on the package.
• Heat the pinto beans. You can heat them seperately or with the meat it's up to you. I put mine in with the meat and let it all simmer together. 
• On a dinner plate place your tortilla chips, meat and beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, sour cream, and guacamole. You can put these in order you like. You can not go wrong!!

I hope you enjoy one of my favorite meals. :) To make this meal even better make a pitcher of margaritas to wash it all down!!