Chuck Wagon Stew

Here is a quick and easy one that I am told is a kid pleaser. Super filling and tasty. Serve over rice or by itself.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. ground beef or turkey

1/2 onion, diced

2 potatoes, peeled and cubed

1/2 lb. green beans

2 carrots, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

14 oz can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup frozen corn

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp. onion powder

14 oz can beef or chicken broth

Homemade Meatball Subs

I wasn't planning to post this recipe, because I've been making meatballs since I was seven (I think it may have been the first recipe I ever mastered). I thought it might be too simple for the blog. However, due to requests from my readers who want to know how I make them, I'm posting this recipe. I don't have step by step photos because you basically throw the stuff in a bowl and mash it together with your hands. Pretty easy.

I tend to double or even triple the recipe and freeze a lot of meatballs to use later. Easy to reheat for a quick dinner and you can put them over pasta with sauce, or even make a basic mushroom or beef gravy.

Ingredients

For the meatballs:

1 lb ground beef (you could also use a mix of beef, pork and/or veal)

1 clove garlic

1 egg

1/2 cup finely grated parmesan

1/2 tbsp parsley

1/2 onion, finely chopped

3/4 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup milk

For the sauce*:

1 can diced, roasted tomatoes

8 oz can tomato paste, and equal parts water (use the can)

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp basil

For the sandwiches:

Hoagie rolls

Shredded mozzarella

Parmesan

*You can use a jarred pasta sauce instead of these ingredients, if you want.

Vodka Bolognese Lasagna

Sometimes I like to make the sauce from scratch but sometimes I just don't have time. If you use a quality jarred sauce and diced or crushed tomatoes, it will still be delicious. So here is my easy version of lasagna.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb ground beef

1 oz. fresh basil, chopped

14.5 oz can diced fire-roasted tomatoes (I used Muir Glen)

1/2 tsp dried oregano

24 oz. bottle of vodka pasta sauce (I used Via Roma)

1 lb mozzarella, shredded

2 lb ricotta

8 oz oven ready lasagna

non-stick spray (PAM or other brand)