Cowboy Calzone

I got this one out of my FAVORITE cookbook ever!! The pioneer woman. She is my hero. I have never made a meal of hers that I didn't like. This one is great for those nights that no one is home and you want something to take with you. I wrapped these up in tin foil once and took them to the boys soccer game, and they were perfect.

1/2 lb hot breakfast sausage
1 lb ground beef
1/2 onion, finely diced
1 can rotel (10 oz)
8 oz ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated monterey jack cheese
1 egg, beaten
salt and pepper
1 pizza crust recipe (look under my breads tab)

Combine sausage and beef and onion in skillet and brown over medium heat. Drain grease. Pour in rotel and stir until combined. Remove from heat.
In a bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella and monterey jack cheese, egg and salt and pepper. Add the cooled meat mixture to the cheese mixture and stir to gently combine.

Divide the pizza dough into 8 equal size balls and roll out to 6 inch circles. Place one-eighth of the meat/cheese mixture in middle of circle. Fold half the circle over the other half and pinch with fork to seal the seam. Brush each calzone with olive oil and place on baking sheet.

Cook for 12-15 min on 450.

Spaghetti with Meatballs

This is another from Sonnie.  This looks like it is the
 real deal.  Looks great to me.


- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 cup chopped onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (16 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 3 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano, divided
- 1 dried bay leaf
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound ground round
- 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked spaghetti

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over
medium heat, and cook the onion until lightly
brown. Mix in 2 cloves garlic, and cook 1 minute.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water,
sugar, 1/2 the oregano, and bay leaf. Season
with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce
 heat to low, and simmer while preparing meatballs.

2. In a bowl, mix the ground round, bread crumbs,
 remaining oregano, remaining garlic, parsley,
eggs, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Roll into 1 inch balls, and drop into the sauce.
Cook 40 minutes in the sauce, or until internal
temperature of meatballs reaches a minimum of 160
degrees F (72 degrees C).
3. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to
a boil, and stir in the spaghetti. Cook 8 to 10
minutes, until al dente, and drain. Serve the
meatballs and sauce over the cooked spaghetti.

Taco Soup

This is an all time favorite in our house. Anytime the weather starts to get a little cooler, I pull this one out. It is SO SO easy and really good. It feeds a lot, so plan on seconds and leftovers.
I am making this one for dinner tonight!

1 lb ground beef
1 med chopped onion
1 med chopped green pepper
2- 15 oz kidney beans (don't drain)
1- 28 oz can whole tomatoes( don't drain) I use petite diced
1- 15 oz can whole kernal corn (don't drain)
1 can tomato paste
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 package light ranch dressing mix ( I just squeeze some regular ranch in, it works fine)
2 cups picante sauce
1 tsp salt

Mix all ingredients together, bring to a boil, cook for 1 hour.

** I like to brown my meat first and then add all ingredients to it. It cuts the simmering time in half.**

Easy Pleasing Meatloaf

Meatloaf....always a word that makes me nervous.
I am not sure why, but it is not my favorite
meal in the world.  I think it has to do with my
 meat being shaped like bread.  I am a VERY big
mental eater.  This recipe from Sonnie really is good.
It is good for dinner one night,and
then put on some crusty bread the next day for lunch.
 If you like meatloaf, this is one to try.


2 lb. Lean ground beef
1 pkg.  (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1 cup Water
2   Eggs, beaten
1/2 cup KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce, divided
*HEAT *oven to 375°F.
1
*PLACE *meat, stuffing mix, water, eggs and
1/4 cup barbecue sauce in bowl.

2
*MIX *just until blended.

3
*SHAPE *into loaf in 13x9-inch baking dish.

4
*TOP *with remaining barbecue sauce.
 Bake 1 hour or until done (160ºF).

Ranch Burgers

I saw a commercial for these the other day and thought they sounded good. I gave them a try last night and everyone loved them. I will be making these again very soon. SO EASY.

1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg Ranch dressing mix

Mix ground beef with the ranch dressing and make into hamburger patties. Grill or cook in pan. Either way they are very good with lots of flavor.
Dress hamburgers as you like.

Sweet and sour meatballs

This will always remind me of Rapid City. I got this one from a friend that invited me and the boys over for dinner every Thursday night for 4 months while Zach was deployed. She will never have any idea how much that meant to me and helped me through it. Thanks Janene for being a great friend and for the great recipe.

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. rolled oats
1 egg
1/3 c. onion
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/3 c. milk

mix all ingredient and form into balls. Bake at 350 for 30 min.

Sauce:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. vinegar
1 tsp. mustard
1/4 c. barbecue sauce
1 tsp.Worcestershire sauce

heat together and pour over meat.

I like to serve ours over rice.

Steak Marinade

This is amazing! It makes your steak taste like you are at a restaurant. I made the mistake of using creamy horseredish and it was not as good. Use the "real stuff" and it is perfect.

SWEET AND SPICY MARINADE
.6 kg (1 1/4 lb.) boneless round sirloin tip or blade steak, cubed
1/3 c. horseradish
1/4 c. ketchup
1/4 c. water
1/4 c. oil
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 drops Tabasco sauce

Beef and Broccoli

I don't remember much about this one, but it must have been good since I kept it.

3 Tbl cornstarch, divided
1/2 c. water
2 Tbl. water, divided
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 lb. boneless round steak- 3 inch strips
2 Tbl. veg. oil
4 c. broccoli florets
1 small onion, cut into wedges
1/3 c. soy sauce
2 Tbl. brown sugar
1 tsp. ground ginger

Hot cooked rice

In bowl, combine 2 Tbl cornstarch, 2 Tbl water and garlic powder until smooth.
Add beef and toss
In skillit stir fry beef in 1 Tbl oil. Remove and keep warm
Stir fry broccoli and onion in remaining oil, 4-5 min.
Add beef
Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and remaining cornstarch and water until smooth, add to pan. cook for 2 min. Serve over hot rice.

Easy Pepper Steak

This is one I got off the internet and found it to be very easy and tasted ok. I would make it again.

2 lbs. sirloin steak
1 pkg. brown gravy mix
3/4 c water
1 tbs. soy sauce
1 Tbs canola oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 onion (sliced)
2 bell pepper cut in strips
4 c. cooked rice

Heat oil in large skillet and saute steak strips until brown. Combine brown gravy mix, water, soy sauce, garlic powder and pepper. Stir into steak mixture. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 min. Add onion and bell pepper and simmer 10 more min. Serve over rice.