Marvelous Recipes

If you and your family enjoy spicy foods, this easy skillet dinner is sure to please everyone at your dinner table.

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups water
1-1/2 cups penne rigate pasta (or pasta of your choice)
1 (10-3/4 ounces) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1 (4 ounces) can chopped green chilies
1 (2.25 ounces) can sliced ripe olives
1 cup salsa (I used Pace Thick and Chunky hot)
Salt & pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and onion until meat is no longer pink and onions are tender; drain.

2. Add the water and bring to a boil; stir in pasta. Cover and simmer over medium heat until pasta is tender; about 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Stir in the soup, green chilies, olives, salsa, salt and pepper; cover and simmer until hot and bubbly. Remove from the heat; sprinkle cheddar cheese over meat mixture. Cover and let stand until the cheese is melted. Makes 6 servings.

Emily

My husband was in the mood for meatloaf for dinner. I wasn’t in the mood for the traditional meatloaf recipe so I started putting ingredients together and this is what I came up with. It was sooo good! Hubby declared it his all-time favorite meatloaf!!

2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage (I used hot)
1 (14 oz) jar pizza sauce
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 (1.25 oz) packages taco seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs, well beaten

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl; mix using your hands until well blended.

2. Transfer mixture to an 11×7-inch baking dish. With your fingers, form a ridge around all sides of the meat mixture to allow space for drippings to collect. Pour off these drippings at least twice during cooking time; discard drippings.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Makes 8 servings.

This tastes great with my Easy Cheesy Pasta!

Emily

My  hubby said these were some of the best chops he had ever eaten. They are simple and quick-to-fix, so you can have dinner on the table in a hurry!

4 (4 oz each) boneless pork loin chops
1 tablespoon spicy Montreal steak seasoning
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/4 cup water
1-1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1-1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1-1/2 teaspoons calorie free sweetener (Splenda)

Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with the steak seasoning. Heat a large skillet over high heat until hot; add oil. Place chops in hot oil, reduce heat to medium-high and cook chops 4 minutes on each side or just until done, (do not over-cook or the meat may be tough). Remove chops from the skillet; set aside and keep warm.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; add to the drippings in the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture is reduced to about 1/4 cup, scraping bottom and sides of skillet to loosen brown bits. Serve over pork chops. Makes 4 servings each containing 1.9 grams carbohydrate.*

* I have included the carbohydrate count for all you low-carb dieters but the carb-eaters in your family will also enjoy these delicious chops.

Emily

This delightful spicy casserole is sure to become one of your family’s favorites! Simple, easy-to-make and delicious!

1-1/2 cups elbow macaroni
2 pounds ground chuck
1 package taco seasoning mix
1-15 ounce can tomato sauce
1-8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Cook elbow macaroni according to package directions; drain and set aside.

2. Brown ground beef in a 10 inch skillet until well done. Drain and return to skillet. Add taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Simmer on low heat 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand in skillet.

3. In large mixing bowl, with mixer set on medium speed, blend softened cream cheese, cottage cheese and sour cream.

4. Butter a 2 quart casserole dish. Pour 1/2 the pasta into the bottom of casserole dish. Layer 1/2 the meat mixture over pasta, then 1/2 the cheese mixture over the meat. Repeat for a second layer.

5. Bake at 350 degrees 15-20 minutes. Top with cheddar cheese and bake 5 more minutes or until cheese melts and is lightly browned. Serves 4-6.