Walking Tacos

Have you missed me?  Well, I've missed you!  My little sis informed me that I've been sorely neglecting you all.  Since I last posted, we moved, the kids all started school (and I somehow ended up as a room mom for the 3rd grader!), went through almost an entire season of soccer and lacrosse (2 more weeks, just 2 more weeks!), joined the gym (like 2 days ago.  Yikes!  I am SO sore!  Wish me luck!), and I couldn't find my baby.  For almost an entire half hour.  Talk about near heart failure!!  Luckily he just went to a little friends house and was playing on their way-super-awesome play set in the back yard.  I went from I'm-so-mad-I'll-strangle-the-little-monkey-when-I-find-him to, when I finally found him, oh-my-precious-perfect-little-angel-I-just-want-to-kiss-your-sweet-little-face-until-you-scream!

I have to say, I've forgotten how much of an ordeal moving is!  We were in our last place for 8 years.  Seems like a lifetime sometimes.  I guess it is for some people.  We moved in with a 6 month old baby and had 2 more little ones while we were there.  That's a lifetime for the 3 of them.  All though moving is the pits, it sure was nice to have some of the kids old enough to really help.  I think the actual moving part was the easy part.  Changing the address on all the mail and transferring the kid's schools was probably more stressful.  Not to mention the melt downs over leaving friends and the best. Schools. Ever.  Luckily, we're in a pretty awesome neighborhood with lots of little kiddies.

Do you have kids?  If you do, you're going to want to bookmark, pin, print out and save, whatever, this recipe!  These Walking Tacos are totally kid approved!  The kids thought (for at least 7 seconds!) that I was/am the coolest mom ever!  The 15 year old asked where I got the idea.  I told him Pinterest (Coolest. Site. Ever!).  He informed me that he would never EVER complain about Pinterest again!  Now THAT is HUGE!

1 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
8-10 individual serving sized bags nacho cheese Doritos
Your favorite taco toppings like...
Lettuce, shredded
Cheese, grated
Tomatoes, diced
Sour cream
Olives, sliced
Salsa

Brown the ground beef and add taco seasoning (along with the water called for on the package).  To assemble, slightly crush chips, then squeeze the bottom of the bag to make it POP!  Pretty sure that was my favorite part.  The 15 year old was in the other room and asked what the popping noise was.  I completely lied to him and told him I didn't hear a thing.  Not sure if he believed me, but he didn't come to investigate.  If you are a little more civilized than we are here, feel free to either cut the top off the bags or pull them open.  Just open the little bags.  Add meat and desired toppings.  Mix it all up and grub up!

Recipe from....Well, I saw pictures on Pinterest and did my own thing.

Grandma's BBQ Hamburgers (aka Sloppy Joes)

Growing up my grandma would make her BBQ hamburgers for us every Labor Day.  In the town I grew up in there was a parade in the morning on Labor Day.  After the parade we would make our way to grandma's house and have lunch.  Every year it was the same, Grandma's BBQ Hamburgers, and I looked forward to it every year.  After filling our bellies we would head to the fair, and more often than not, empty our bellies on the rides. :)

Grandma passed away in 2000 and the only thing I asked for of hers was this recipe.  It's now my sweet little 5 year old's favorite meal.  Well, besides macaroni and cheese.

1 pound ground beef
1 cup onion, diced
1 1/2 tablespoons mustard
1 tablespoon vinegar
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
Salt and pepper, to taste

Brown beef and onion in a skillet over medium heat.  Once cooked, pour into a slow cooker and add remaining ingredients.  Stir until well combined and cook on low for 3-4 hours.

Recipe from Grandma Leta.

Linked on Pinworthy Projects, The Weekend re-Treat

Oven Tacos

Sometimes I see something and think "Who comes up with this stuff!?"  These Oven Tacos are one of those things.   And not in a bad way.  In a I-wish-I-had-time-to-sit-around-and-come-up-with-cool-ideas kind of way.  They take a little more work than "regular" tacos, but the entire family loved them.  Devoured them.

One of the great things about these Oven Tacos is the shell gets tender at the bottom where the meat is so they don't crack when you take a bite.  Not that it bugs me when my taco shell cracks, but for some of the littles, it's pretty much the end of the world. :)

These Oven Tacos make a ton!  Like, I can feed my family 1 1/2 times with a single recipe.  And that's really saying something when I have a husband, a 14 year old with a hollow leg (He has to!  I can't see where else he would put all that stuff he puts away!), and a 12 year old with a hollow leg.  Seriously.  She ate 5 tacos!  In one sitting.  I ate 2.  And she's such a skinny little thing.  Maybe I should play soccer, too....

2 pounds ground beef
1 small onion diced
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
1 package taco seasoning
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
2 cups cheese, shredded (I used cheddar)
30-36 hard taco shells

In a large skillet brown ground beef and onion over medium heat. Drain off any excess liquid. Add chilies, refried beans, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning. Mix well and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat and let sit for 30 minutes.  If you don't have 30 minutes to spare, I hope you're a more careful taco filler than I am.  That meat stuff is HOT!  Spoon the taco meat mixture into the taco shells and place into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish (or 2) standing up. Sprinkle cheese over the top of the taco meat in each shell. Place into the oven and bake at 400 for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the tacos are heated through. Remove from the oven and top with desired topping (I just used lettuce and diced tomatoes).

Recipe adapted from Mommy? I'm Hungry!

Salisbury Steak

I've never had the pleasure of eating Salisbury Steak until just recently.  To be honest, I didn't even really know what the stuff was.  The kids asked what was for dinner and when I told them we were eating Salisbury Steak, they all gave me a deer-in-the-headlights look.  So then I told them we were having meat loaf and they were as happy as can be.  They all LOVE meat loaf!  Salisbury steak takes a little more work than meat loaf, but it's worth it.  This stuff was good!

1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed French onion soup
1 1/2 pounds ground beef or ground sirloin
1/2 cup rolled oats (oatmeal)
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

In a large bowl, mix together 1/3 cup condensed French onion soup with ground beef, rolled oats, egg, salt and pepper. Shape into 6 oval patties. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown both sides of patties; about 3 minutes on each side. Pour off excess fat. In a small bowl, blend flour and remaining soup until smooth. Mix in ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce and mustard powder. Pour over meat in skillet. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Recipe adapted from What 2 Cook.

Linked on Pinworthy Projects.

Zucchini Meatloaf

I've been putting zucchini in everything.  The family is starting to be suspicious of anything and everything I make.  And for good reason!  I've put zucchini in pie, brownies, bread, and now meat loaf.  And they've loved every bit of it.  They might have complained a little, or maybe even a lot, when they realized I added the lovely green squash, but ate it all and even came back for seconds.  That's always a good sign.

2 eggs
2 cups zucchini, shredded
1/3 cup uncooked oat meal
1/3 cup onion, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground beef

Topping:
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon mustard

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, mix all meat loaf ingredients until well blended. Press mixture into an ungreased 9.5-inch deep-dish pie plate and bake 35 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the topping ingredients. Remove meat loaf from the oven; pour off drippings. Spread topping on the meat. Return to the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until thoroughly cooked in center and meat thermometer reads 160. Let stand 5 minutes before serving for juices to set up.

Recipe adapted from Real Mom Kitchen.

Linked on Pin It Thursday.

Mexican Pizzas

My kids are pretty good eaters, but it isn't often they all get excited over the same meal.  When Mexican Pizzas are on the menu, they all cheer.  Literally.  I even got a happy dance from some of them.  Not only are these Mexican Pizzas tasty, they are done in under 30 minutes.  That makes me do a happy dance!

12 tostada shells
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans or 2 cups homemade (Refried Beans)
1 pound ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning or 1 tablespoon homemade (The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning)
1 cup enchilada sauce
1 large roma tomato, diced
2 stalks green onions, sliced
1 1/2 cup cheese, shredded (I usually use cheddar because that's what I have on hand most often)

Brown ground beef in a large skillet.  Add taco seasoning and water, as directed on the taco seasoning packet.  Warm refried beans either in the microwave or in a pan on the stove (I like to add between 1/4 cup and 1/3 cup water to my beans to make them a nice spreading consistency).  Spread refried beans on 6 of the tostada shells, then sprinkle with ground beef and place on a large baking sheet.  Top each with a remaining tostada shells.  Spread enchilada sauce on top of the top tostada shells and then sprinkle with cheese.  Bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes to melt the cheese.  Sprinkle each pizza with diced tomato and sliced green onions.

Recipe from The Royal Cook - an original!

Linked on The Weekend re-Treat, Party in Polka Dots, Manic Monday, Tatertots & Jello, Strut Your Stuff, Sweet & Savory Saturdays, Party in Polka Dots, Finding the Pretty & Delicious and Pinworthy Projects.

Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Bell Peppers

I saw a picture for Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Bell Peppers a while ago and thought they sounded quite tasty.  After the success of the Stuffed Enchilada Peppers, I figured I might as well give them a try.  Who knew you could stuff a pepper with so many different things?!

The hubby, baby and I loved these Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Bell Peppers!  The rest of the kids loved the filling, but are still convinced they don't like peppers.  I will get them to change their minds! :)

4 large green bell peppers, cut in half from stem to bottom with stem and seeds removed
16 thin slices provolone cheese
1 pound deli sliced roast beef, cut into strips
1 pound mushrooms, sliced
1 large onion, sliced
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste (I like things a little salty, so I used a full teaspoon.  If you don't care as much for salt, use 1/2 teaspoon)

In a large pan, combine onion, mushrooms and butter.  Cook over medium heat until onions and mushrooms are tender.  Drain juices, if needed, and add salt and roast beef.  Stir well and remove from heat.  Place bell pepper halves on a microwave safe plate and cover with plastic wrap (I did 4 halves at a time) and microwave for 2 minutes.  Transfer peppers to a baking sheet and place 1 slice of provolone cheese in each half pepper.  Fill each pepper with roast beef mixture and top with an additional slice of cheese.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Recipe idea from a picture, actual recipe from The Royal Cook - an original!

Linked on Weekend re-Treat, Strut Your Stuff, Tatertots & Jello, Pinworthy Projects, Party in Polka Dots and Manic Monday.

Easy Meatloaf

Growing up, the word meatloaf was a bad word.  I mean a VERY bad word!  They served some brownish-gray concoction in the cafeteria at school that was chewy and flavorless.  They called it meatloaf.  Is it any wonder the word was a major turnoff?  And then it happened.  I tried this Easy Meatloaf.  I was hooked on the stuff.  And so were the kids!  My 11 year old requests it often and all the kids love it.  It's flavorful, easy, and the leftovers (if there are any) are fought for.  Kids actually fight over leftovers.  That's practically a miracle!

The hubs likes it with ketchup.  I personally think anything dipped in ketchup is vile.  I like mustard on mine.  I won't hold a thing against the ketchup lovers if the mustard haters don't hold my mustard loving against me.  We can all still be friends. :)

1 envelope dry onion soup mix (like Lipton Recipe Secrets)

2 pounds ground beef (I sometimes use turkey)

3/4 cup oatmeal

2 eggs

3/4 cup water

1/3 cup ketchup (not vile in things, just on things)

Preheat oven to 350.  Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix until well combined (I usually just mix it with my hands.  Washed, of course.  The kids like to help too.).  Shape into a loaf on a baking sheet lined with foil (for easier clean up :)).  Bake uncovered for 1 hour.  

Recipe adapted from Lipton.

Baked Stroganoff Sandwich

There are times when I come across a recipe and think, "Really?!?!  Who comes up with this stuff!?!?"  Well, this Baked Stroganoff Sandwich is one of those things.  Baked Stroganoff Sandwich happens to be the favorite food of my 10 year old's BFF.  That means we just had to try it.  The entire family enjoyed it (even if half of them picked off the veggies.  Really!?  That's my favorite part!) 

1 pound ground beef
1 package stroganoff mix plus ingredients to mix ( I used my Hamburger Stroganoff recipe)
1 large tomato, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
2 cups shredded cheese (I used cheddar)
1 loaf French bread, sliced in half lengthwise
4 tablespoons butter

Turn oven on to broil setting.  Spread 2 tablespoons of butter on the inside of each half of the French bread.  Place bread on a large cookie sheet and place in the oven to toast.  Watch closely so it doesn't burn.  I use the middle rack to keep it from burning  as easily and it takes about 5 minutes of brown nicely.  Prepare stroganoff sauce and brown ground beef.  Combine the sauce and cooked ground beef.  Spread half of the meat sauce onto each side of the bread.  Top with sliced peppers, tomatoes and then sprinkle with cheese.  Return to the oven and cook until cheese is melted - about another 5 minutes on the middle rack.

Linked on Show Me What Ya Got.

Hamburger Stew

Hamburger Stew is super easy and the kids love it! It is one of my 10 year olds favorite soups, she asks for it almost weekly. I always keep all the ingredients on hand so I can make Hamburger Stew when I am running short on time.

1 pound ground beef
2 (10.5 oz) cans vegetable soup
2 (15 oz) cans mixed vegetables
1 (14.5 oz) beef broth
1 (15 oz) can diced potatoes

Brown ground beef in a large pot. Drain vegetables and potatoes and add to beef along with soup and broth. Heat until warm.

Cheesy Taco Skillet

Remember my way big, 2 pound box of Velveeta? Well, here is another way I used it.

I really love it when I make something for dinner and don't have a single complaint. Even better when I still don't have a single complaint the next day when we have it for dinner again. This is one of those meals. Can you hear the heavenly angels singing?

4 cups hot, cooked rice
1 pound ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
1/2 pound Velveeta
1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes - don't drain
Toppings:
Crushed tortilla chips
Sour cream
Olives
Shredded cheese

Brown beef in a large skillet. Once browned, stir in tomatoes and Velveeta and cook, stirring occasionally, until Velveeta is melted. Add taco seasoning and corn and mix until combined. Stir in rice. Serve topped with toppings of your choice.

Recipe from The Royal Cook - an original!

Easy Frech Dip Sandwiches

I LOVE easy! But even more than easy, I love yummy AND easy. This is super yummy and easy. The family all loved it, too. Some dipped, some didn't, but they all loved it.

I really liked being able to throw it in the crock pot the night before and not have to worry about dinner the next day. At dinner time the roast fell apart so I didn't even have to shred it. Can it get any better?

1 (5 pound) pot roast
2 (10.5 oz) cans French onion soup
1 (10.5 oz) can beef consomme
1 can water (from soup or consomme)


Place roast in a crock pot. Add soup, consomme and water (do NOT add more water than 1 can - don't dilute like the can says). Turn on low and cook over night and all day. Serve on long hard rolls. Top with provolone cheese if desired and dip in juice.

Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches With Dip

These Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches (aka French Dip) are so easy and so good. This was my first time making them and they were a hit! My hubby (he thinks I should refer to him as my HOT Husband) was very impressed with my mean cooking skills - he loved them! I cut them in 3 pieces and put a toothpick in them for the little kids. It made them easier for the little ones to handle and dip. And they LOVED to dip!

1 pound deli sliced roast beef
1 (10.5 oz) can beef consomme
4 slices provolone cheese
4 large hard rolls (I used telera rolls)
butter

Pour consomme in a sauce pan and reconstitute (I used Campbells - 1 can water to reconstitute). Add roast beef and cook* over medium low heat heat until it simmers. Slice rolls and butter the top half. Divide roast beef between the 4 rolls and place on the bottom half. Place 1 slice of cheese on the roast beef on each roll. Place on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese is melted - 1 to 2 minutes (I use the next to top rack - watch carefully so it doesn't burn!). Serve with the consomme to dip in.

*Could also be cooked in a crock pot on low for 3 hours.

Bean Casserole

I grew up on a farm and my kids love to go back to the farm to visit Granny and Papa. My mom and I cook quite differently, and the kids will often ask for "farm food" (the kind of food that Granny cooks). This is one of the things that my mom made while I was growing up. When my kids ask for farm food, this is one of the things that I make. It is so simple and all of the kids eat it so well.

Just a little word of warning. Do NOT eat this with pink lemonade and laugh while trying to swallow a mouth full of both. The result - funky, unappetizing stuff spewing from your (my) nose. Yes, I know that one from personal experience....

1 pound ground beef
2 (15 oz) cans pork and beans
2 (15 oz) chili with beans
2 cups shredded cheese

Brown ground beef in a large skillet. Add chili with pork and beans to the ground beef. Heat through, sprinkle with cheese and cover to melt cheese. Mom would pour the casserole into a baking dish and top with cheese and bake to melt. Either way works well, but I prefer doing it in the skillet - fewer dishes to wash. I also will sometimes leave off the cheese and let the kids sprinkle it on while they have the casserole on their plates. My 2 year old will end up with cheese with a small side of casserole when we do it that way.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs or Chicken

I love sweet & sour sauce. I have a couple of really good sweet & sour recipes, but this one is my favorite. It uses barbecue sauce in it instead of the standard ketchup. I love the added flavor of the barbecue sauce. I usually use this recipe with meatballs (this time I used leftover Italian Meatballs), but it is also very good with chicken.

Sweet & sour meatballs would be a perfect addition to your Super Bowl party on Sunday. Even though I have no clue who is playing, I am excited for the game. Super Bowl = lots of yummy food!!

1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Combine all ingredients and bring to a simmer. Add cooked chicken or meatballs and serve over rice.

Italian Meatballs

These meatballs are amazing! Very delish. I tore this recipe out of a copy of Parade magazine and had it sitting in my "junk" pile. Today I decided to de-junk my junk pile and my 9 year old grabbed it and said that we had to make meatballs tonight. I had everything I need for them so we made them. I am such a sucker for these kids of mine.

I had my regular helpers helping me with the meatballs. One stirred everything together, and then they both helped shape the meatballs. I pulled out one of my cookie scoops to make the meatballs all even, then a light came on. Just scoop the meat out and put it on the sheet, no rolling needed. I did give the girls meat to "shape" while I quickly got all the meatballs ready to bake. I don't think I will ever roll another meat ball again. It was SO fast with the scoop. I'm feeling pretty smart!

1 pound ground beef
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup water
2 eggs
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon parsley
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt

Combine bread crumbs and water in a large bowl. Stir in Parmesan cheese, eggs and spices. Add the ground beef and mix well. Shape into balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes, or until cooked through.

Hamburger Stroganoff

I first tried hamburger stroganoff from a freezer meal group I was a part of. I loved it, and thought, I can make that. Well, guess what? I was right! It is fairly easy and I love it. I like to serve it over egg noodles, but the kids like the Wacky Mac pasta. I am usually out numbered 4 to 1, so they end up getting their way.



1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 (10.75 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon garlic salt
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced

Brown ground beef and onion. Add spices, soup and mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms are tender. Add sour cream just before serving.

Enchilada Casserole

I'm back!! We went on vacation and then Christmas rolled around and somethings got neglected. This being one of them. I made a TON of goodies and forgot to take pictures of them, so I won't get to post all the yummies I made.

This has got to be one of my favorite casserole recipes. It is quite easy and very delicious. It is easy to adjust the heat on it by the enchilada sauce you use. I have a daughter that is more sensitive to spice, so I always use mild. The whole family loves it. A comforting plate of hot, cheesy, yummy goodness.



1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 (28 ounce) can enchilada sauce
1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 (6 ounce) cans olives, sliced
18 corn tortillas
1 pound Monterey jack cheese, grated
1 pound Cheddar cheese, grated

Sauté onion with ground beef. Add olives and large can of enchilada sauce. Pour small can of enchilada sauce in the bottom of an 11x15 inch casserole dish (if you use a 9x13 inch casserole dish, place on a cookie sheet lined with foil). Place 6 tortillas on top of sauce. Add 1/3 of the meat mixture and 1/3 of the cheeses. Repeat 2 more times ending with the cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve with chopped tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream and guacamole.

Sunday Pot Roast

This is one of my favorite roast recipes, if not my favorite. It is so easy and tasty. I love that it makes its own gravy. Cooking it in a crock pot is a nice added bonus. I love being able to make dinner in the morning and have it ready at dinner time. Most nights by the time dinner time rolls around, I am tired and not in the mood to cook. My crock pot is a life saver!



1 (3 to 5 lb) pot roast
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 packet dry onion soup mix

Place roast in crock pot. Spoon soup over the top and sprinkle with onion soup mix. Cook on high 4 to 5 hours, or on low 6 to 8 hours. I like to shred the roast when it is cooked and serve it over potatoes or noodles. It is also great sliced with the gravy.

3 Envelope Pot Roast

I love my crock pot. It makes dinner so easy and there are so many things that I can do with it. I got this recipe from Laura at Real Mom Kitchen and we really enjoyed it. I really liked the flavor the seasonings added to the roast. I used the drippings to make a gravy. Super easy and delicious.



1 (3 to 5 lb) roast
1 package brown gravy mix
1 package ranch dressing mix
1 package Italian dressing mix
2 cups water

Mix water with mixes and pour over roast in a crock pot. Cook on high 4 hours or low 6 hours.