One-Pot Pasta

This is a fantastic, easy meal for kids...and adults!

1 lb. ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1 pkg. fresh pre-sliced mushrooms
1 t. vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (26 oz) jars tomato-&-basil pasta sauce
1 c. water
1 T. dried Italian seasoning
Salt & pepper to taste
1 (20 oz) pkg. refrigerated 4-cheese ravioli
1 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded

Brown the beef in a Dutch oven; drain; wipe out Dutch Oven. Saute onion and mushrooms in hot oil over medium-high heat for 8 minutes or until tender. Stir in cooked beef, garlic, pasta sauce, 1 cup of water, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Bring sauce to a boil; add frozen ravioli. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, simmer, stirring occasionally, 8-10 minutes. Stir in cheese.

Serves 4

From the kitchen of ... Mark and Shannon

Talirini

This is the most kid-friendly dish in the world (not counting chicken nuggets) -- even my picky-eater Kate loves it.

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
1 can sliced black olives, drained
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
Salt, pepper, chili powder, to taste
Spaghetti noodles, cooked & drained

While the noodles are cooking, brown the meat in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Add the Velveeta, Rotel, olives, corn and a bit of chili powder (not too much because the Rotel already adds some kick), salt and pepper. Turn the heat down to low and let the cheese melt. Once the noodles are cooked and drained, add noodles to the meat/cheese mixture and toss to combine.

From the kitchen of ... Mark & Shannon

Party Cheesecakes

24 vanilla waffers
2 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 T. lemon juice
1 t. vanilla
1 (22 oz) can cherry pie filling
Whipped cream, optional

Place cupcake paper liners in 24 muffin cups. Put one vanilla waffer in the bottom of each. Combine cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla; beat until smooth. Pour into muffin cups to fill 2/3 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Chill overnight. Just before serving, spoon cherry pie filling on each mini cheesecake.

From the kitchen of ... Cindy

Dorito Casserole

1 large bag Doritos chips
2 lbs. beef, browned & drained
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can Ranch-style beans
2 t. chili powder
Mild cheddar cheese, shredded

Grease the bottom of 9 X 13" baking dish. Crumble Doritos to cover the bottom of the dish. Mix the other ingredients (except cheese) together and put on top of the Doritos. Top with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until heated through and cheese melts.

From the kitchen of ... Cindy

Pizza Casserole

1 lb. ground beef
1 (3.5 oz) pkg. sliced pepperoni
1 (2.25 oz) can sliced ripe olives, drained
1 (14 oz) jar pizza sauce
1 (8 oz) pkg. Mozzarella cheese, shredded
3/4 c. Bisquick
1 c. milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Brown the beef in a large skillet; drain. Stir in pepperoni and olives. Spoon into lightly greased 8-inch square baking dish. Top with sauce and cheese. Combine Bisquick, milk and eggs; stirring until smooth. Pour over cheese, spreading evenly. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

You could add green bell pepper if you like.

From the kitchen of ... Mark & Shannon

Sausage Balls

3 c. Bisquick
1 pkg. Owens hot sausage, room temperature
1 pkg. Owens regular sausage, room temperature
3 c. cheddar cheese, shredded

Mix Bisquick and cheese in a (very) large bowl until well-blended. Work in the sausage (with your hands) until the mixture is well-blended. After blended, form into small/medium-sized balls and place on well greased cookie sheet (these do not rise). Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes until golden brown. These freeze beautifully.

Yields 2 cookie sheets

From the kitchen of ... Cindy