What's for Dinner?

I wanted to try this because it was different. I wasn't disappointed because it was delicious. The whole family loved it! Makes 10 servings.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
8 ounces macaroni
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
2 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
2 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup crushed tortilla chips
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain.
In a large skillet, cook and stir ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat until brown. Mix in tomato soup, diced tomatoes, and taco seasoning mix. Stir in pasta.
Spoon beef mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Sprinkle crumbled taco chips and grated cheese on top.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cheese is melted. Serve with chopped green onions and sour cream, if desired.

This recipe was a really nice change from the typical pasta casseroles I usually make. The noodles took on a nice smoky flavor from the kielbasa. Overall, it was really yummy! Makes 1 9x13 dish.

Ingredients

16 ounces dry ziti pasta
1 pound Polish sausage, sliced diagonally
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 (14.5 ounce) cans Italian-style stewed tomatoes
3 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup Italian-style dry bread crumbs
8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook sausage in oil until browned on both sides, 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine ziti, sausage, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, parsley and pepper. Mix well. Pour into 9x13 baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs and top with shredded cheese.
Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, until top is golden.

This recipe is really yummy. My kids had a great time helping me by taking turns adding all the layers. It has a lot of flavor for using such simple ingredients! Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
3 cups peeled and thinly sliced potatoes
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup milk
salt to taste
freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef; drain fat.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine cream of mushroom soup, onion, milk, salt and pepper to taste.
Alternately layer the potatoes, soup mixture and meat in a 11x7 inch (2 quart) baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until potatoes are tender. Top with Cheddar cheese, and continue baking until cheese is melted.

This was delicious! I was a little skeptical about the Total sprinkled on top but I was pleasantly surprised about the extra layer of flavor it added. Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons shortening
2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 cup water
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flake cereal, crumbled

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large skillet over high heat, melt the shortening and quickly brown the ground beef with the onion. Stir in water and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
In a medium bowl, thoroughly mix the condensed cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Pour meat mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange potatoes over the meat. Pour soup mixture over the potatoes. Sprinkle with Cheddar cheese. Top with whole wheat flake cereal.
Bake in preheated oven, uncovered, for 1 1/2 hours.

This recipe has such simple ingredients but has a lot of flavor! It's very easy to make and is the perfect amount for a family of 4. Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 cup water 3/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Directions
In a large skillet, heat oil and butter. Add chicken, onion and green pepper; cook and stir until the chicken is lightly browned and vegetables are tender. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Transfer to a lightly greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Cover and bake at 375 degrees F for 55-60 minutes or until the rice is tender.

This is a great recipe that is easy to throw together. It has meat, carbs and veggies so you don't have to make anything else with it. That's the best part! Makes 4 servings.

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package egg noodles, cooked
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into cubes
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 1/4 cups milk
1 (14.5 ounce) can peas and carrots, drained
salt and pepper to taste
paprika to taste
1 teaspoon chili powder
4 slices Monterey Jack cheese
4 slices soft white bread, cubed

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread cooked egg noodles in a 9x13 inch baking dish and set aside.
In a large skillet over medium high heat, saute cubed chicken meat with onion for about 7 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside. Add the soup, milk, peas and carrots and stir together. Season with salt and pepper, paprika and chili powder to taste. Stir until just bubbly and remove from heat.
Stir chicken mixture into noodles in baking dish until well combined; top with cheese slices, then bread cubes.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 30 minutes or until bread is toasted; serve hot.

This casserole takes a little bit of time to make, but once it's in the oven, you don't have to make anything else. Your protein, side dish and veggies are all spoken for. And it tastes pretty good too! Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 cup water
1 pound pork sausage
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup diced fresh tomato
4 cups cubed zucchini squash
2 (4 ounce) cans sliced mushrooms, drained
1 (8 ounce) package processed cheese food, cubed
1 pinch dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Combine the rice and water in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until tender. Remove from heat, and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
Cook sausage and onion in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring until evenly browned. Drain excess grease. Stir in zucchini and tomatoes, and cook until tender. Stir in rice, mushrooms, and cheese. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Spread into a 9x13 inch baking dish, or a 2 quart casserole dish.
Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned and bubbly.

This was really, really good. It's a different way to cook chicken and pasta together. It's easy to make and it's a casserole so you don't have to make anything else with it. Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients
3 cups cooked, cubed chicken meat
8 ounces spaghetti, broken into pieces
1/4 cup chopped pimento peppers
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup white wine
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Put uncooked spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water. Let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes or until pasta is al dente. Drain.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl combine the chicken, cooked spaghetti, pimento, bell pepper, onion, soup, wine and 1 cup of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste and mix all together. Spread mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cup of cheese on top and bake for another 15 minutes.

This is a really good casserole made with ingredients you probably already have at home. I used chicken breasts instead of a whole chicken. It doesn't take that long to make either, which is great for weeknights. Makes 8 servings.

INGREDIENTS
1 (4 pound) whole chicken
1 onion, quartered
2 stalks celery
2 bay leaves
1/3 cup butter
8 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 cup chicken stock
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (4.5 ounce) can sliced mushrooms
1 cup cooked white rice
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
In a large pot boil the chicken with the onion, celery and bay leaves until done. Let chicken cool until you can handle it. Remove chicken meat from the bones and cut into small pieces.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a saucepan over medium heat melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute. Slowly stir in the cold milk and chicken stock and cook mixture until thick. Stir in the cheese.
In a large bowl combine the chicken, rice and mushrooms together. Stir in the cheese sauce and season with salt and pepper. Place mixture in a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 30 minutes or until bubbly.

This was ok. Again, I don't know why I put the seeds in it because I am not a fan of seeds but I guess I didn't want to rule it out without trying it. Anyway, I made this in the crock pot and the meat was great, really tender. I would just do without the seeds next time. Makes 8 servings.

INGREDIENTS
1 pound country style pork ribs
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup dry white wine (optional)
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon caraway seed
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 pound sauerkraut, drained
1 medium red apple - cored and diced
1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Season ribs with salt and pepper. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook ribs, turning occasionally, until well browned on all sides. Add wine (if using), water, caraway seeds, and brown sugar; stir to dissolve sugar. Stir in drained sauerkraut, apple, and carrots, and transfer to a large casserole dish.
Bake, covered, in the preheated oven for 2 1/2 hours, adding water as needed to prevent drying out.

This is a simple Italian casserole that goes great with garlic bread. I didn't use the pepperoni in mine. Also, I halved the recipe and it still made a ton. Makes 8 servings.

INGREDIENTS
1 pound rigatoni pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage
1 (8 ounce) can mushrooms, drained
2 (32 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 pounds shredded mozzarella cheese
thinly sliced pepperoni

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Pour in rigatoni, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set pasta aside.
Meanwhile, brown ground beef and italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. With a slotted spoon, remove beef and sausage to a baking dish. Stir mushrooms, spaghetti sauce, and cooked pasta into the baking dish. Sprinkle cheese and pepperoni over the top.
Bake in preheated oven until the cheese is brown and bubbly, about 20 minutes.

This is also called shepherd's pie. This recipe is great and is very simple to make. I used OreIda's Steam & Mash potatoes instead of powdered instant potatoes. So yummy! Makes 4 servings.

INGREDIENTS
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can green beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can carrots, drained
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (15 ounce) can peas
1/2 pound processed cheese food, sliced
4 cups prepared instant mashed potatoes

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large skillet over medium high heat, saute the beef and onion for 5 to 10 minutes, or until meat is browned. Drain excess fat and place this mixture in the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
Layer the green beans, carrots, corn and peas over the beef mixture. Place the cheese over the vegetables.
Prepare the potatoes according to package directions, but add some extra milk or water to make it a little runny. Cover the entire casserole with the potatoes.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until potatoes get slightly crusty and the sides of the dish are bubbly.