TATER TOT NACHOS

Note: This is a recipe from Pillsbury thus their product names. Feel free to substitute your favorite brands.

2

bags (16 oz each) Cascadian Farm™ Spud Puppies™ organic frozen potatoes

 

1/2

lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef

 

1/2

package Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix (about 2 tablespoons)

 

3

tablespoons water

 

1 1/2

cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (6 oz)

 

1

cup Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky salsa

 

Shredded lettuce

Sour cream and guacamole, if desired

Heat oven to 425°F. Line cookie sheet with sides with foil or cooking parchment paper. Place frozen potatoes on cookie sheet. Bake as directed on bag.

Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Add taco seasoning mix and water. Cook about 2 minutes or until hot.

Sprinkle potatoes with beef mixture and cheese. Bake 3 to 5 minutes longer or just until cheese is melted. Top with remaining ingredients.

Note: 

Swap out the ground beef for a can of drained, rinsed black beans for a vegetarian twist. Personally, I use both since I am diabetic and need the protein.

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BRUSCHETTA MEATLOAF

This recipe goes together in only a few minutes. It does however require almost an hour baking time.

1 lb extra-lean ground beef
1 can (14.5-oz) tomatoes, do not drain
1 pkg (6-oz) stuffing mix for chicken
1 egg
2 green onions, finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix the tomatoes and stuffing mix until combined; reserve half for later.

Add the ground beef and egg to the stuffing mix that remains; mix together well.  Press mixture onto the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish.

Combine the reserved stuffing mixture with the onions and spread over the meat mixture. Cover pan with foil.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes; sprinkle the cheese over the top, /Continue baking, uncovered, for 10 minutes or until the meatloaf is cooked through.

This is a recipe I got from Kraft Foods in 2013.

CREAMY BROCCOLI SLAW

1/2 cup olive oil mayonnaise

3 tbsp cider vinegar

2 tsp honey

1 pkg (12-oz) broccoli slaw

1 small Golden delicious apple, julienned

1/4 cup minced shallots

2 tsp flax seeds

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Parsley or cilantro for garnish, optional

In a large bowl, whisk together mayo, vinegar and honey. Add broccoli slaw, apple, shallot and flax seeds; toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with the parsley or cilantro, if desired.

recipe and idea Woman's World 2024

BREAKFAST WASSAIL

This fruity drink in not just a holiday beverage. It is a great year-round beverage and is delicious hot or cold.

1 bottle (64-oz) cranberry juice

1 bottle (32-oz) apple juice

1 can (12-oz) frozen pineapple juice concentrate, undiluted

1 can (12-oz) frozen lemonade concentrate, undiluted

3 to 4 cinnamon sticks

1 quart water, optional 

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine juices, lemonade and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1 hour. Add water, if desired. Serve hot or cold.

Yield: approximately 4 quarts

VERY BERRY SLUSHES

2 cups fresh strawberries or raspberries

1 1/2 cups ice cubes

1/4 cup honey

2 tbsp lemon juice

1-pint vanilla ice cream, optional 

In a blender or food processor combine berries, ice cubes, honey and lemon juice. Cover and blend or process until blended.

Pour mixture into individual glasses. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Yield: 6 servings

file photo for reference only

TUNA PENNE CASSEROLE

8-oz penne pasta, uncooked

1 cup corn kernels

1 cup frozen peas

1/3 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs

1 tbsp olive oil

8-oz cream cheese, room temperature, cut into pieces

1 cup milk

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 tsp salt

2 cans (5-oz each) tuna, drained 

1 tsp grated lemon zest

Grease a 2-qt baking dish, set aside. Heat broiler.

Cook pasta according to the package directions for al dente, adding corn and peas during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta liquid. Drain pasta and return to the pot.

In a bowl, mix panko and oil. Set aside.

In a saucepan, cook cheese, milk and garlic over medium-low heat while stirring, until the mixture is smooth. This will take about 5 minutes. Stir in the salt and add to the pot with the pasta. Stir in tuna, lemon zest and reserved pasta liquid. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the panko mixture. Broil 2 minutes.

Yield: 6 servings

recipe and photo Woman's World 2026

LOADED CAULIFLOWER

A friend of mine posted this recipe on her facebook page. I love it and thought I would share it with my readers.

Ingredients:

1 large head of Cauliflower cut into bite size pieces (approx 6 cups)
6-8 strips of bacon cooked and crumbled (Cooked in oven at 400° for 20 mins)
6 Tbs chopped Chives
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/2 cup Sour Cream
2 cups Colby Jack Cheese ( may use cheddar)
8 oz container sliced mushrooms

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°
In a large pot boil water and cook Cauliflower for 8 - 10 minutes, drain and let cool.
In a large bowl combine sour cream, mayo, 1/2 of crumbled bacon, 3 tbs chives, 1 cups of cheese,mushrooms and cauliflower and mix well... place in baking dish and cover with remaining 1 cup of cheese and rest of bacon crumbles. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted. top with remaining 3 Tbs chives and serve.

Here is the info from the fb post: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GettingFitwithDavid

CHERRY DUMP SALAD

3 cup miniature marshmallows

1 large can crushed pineapple, drained
1 can cherry pie filling
1 cup chopped pecans
1 can Eagle Brand milk
1 small carton frozen whipped topping, thawed

Mix whipped topping and milk together; stir in the pineapple, pie filling, and pecans.

Gently fold in the marshmallows to coat completely.

Cover and chill until serving time.

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HASH BROWN & SAUSAGE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

This recipe is from the Southern Lady Cooks facebook page over a dozen years ago.  I like it because it goes together quickly and you can go on about your business while it bakes.  You can also make it the night before; cover and refrigerate it then bake it the next morning.  If you refrigerate overnight, you may need to add a few additional minutes of baking.

2 lbs. frozen hash browns, regular or Southern style
1 onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
2 lbs. sausage or ham (could also use bacon or smoked sausage or any meat you like.
10 eggs beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, Optional
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Oil for cooking hash browns
Heat oil, add hash browns, onion and peppers. Cook till potatoes begin to brown. Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray. Spread potato mixture in pan, top with cooked sausage or ham. Pour beaten eggs over all and season with salt and pepper and garlic. Gently stir to coat all ingredients with eggs. Sprinkle with cheese. Can refrigerate overnight and then bake.
Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Makes 8 servings.  Enjoy.

Note: You can make half this recipe, too. You can use any kind of meat you like.

AMAZING ZITI

1 lb extra-lean ground beef

2 medium carrots shredded
2 cans (10 3/4-oz) reduced-fat condensed tomato soup
2 1/2 cups water
8-oz ziti
2 tsp basil
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Cook the ground beef and carrots in a 4-quart Dutch oven over medium heat until beef is no longer pink; drain off fat.  Add the soup, water, ziti, basil, onion and garlic powders to the Dutch oven.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat.  Cover and cook approximately 25 minutes until the ziti is tender; stir occasionally during cooking.

Stir in the mozzarella cheese.

When serving, sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.

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