Chili Con Carne

From: One Pot cookbook

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp oil
1 lb ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 tsp chili powder
1 lb 12 oz canned chopped tomatoes
1 lb 12 oz canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups beef stock
salt
cilantro

Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the beef. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until broken up and browned.

Reduce the heat, add the onion, garlic and bell pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes.

Stir in the chili powder, tomatoes and their juices, and kidney beans. Pour in the beef stock and season with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for 15-20 minutes, or until the meat is tender.

Chop the cilantro and stir into the chili. Adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Verdict:
Well, although I did like this recipe, there are many other chili recipes I prefer. I probably won't make this one again. My two favorite recipes are my mom's recipe and the Wendy's copycat recipe. This one is a little sweeter than those and a little soupier. If you like trying new chili recipes I still recommend it. Great flavor.

Meatball Sub Casserole

From: The Country Cook

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf Italian bread, cut into 1-inch thick slices
• 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
• 1/4 tsp. pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1-lb. pkg. fully cooked frozen meatballs, thawed
• 1 (28 oz.) jar pasta sauce
• 1 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange bread slices in a single layer in an ungreased 9x13 pan. If there are any gaps, fill them in with small chunks of bread.

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise and seasonings. Spread mixture over bread slices. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.

Gently mix together spaghetti sauce and meatballs. Spoon over cheese. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes.

Verdict:
I love meatball subs, so I couldn't wait to eat this casserole! I was a little disappointed with the texture of the bread on the bottom, though. The suggestion from the website was to toast the bread first so it wouldn't get too soggy. I still felt like the cheese spread made it too moist. I would love to make this again, and next time I would only make half the spread, and see if that kept the bread a little crisper. I would definitely give this recipe another shot - it has such great potential!

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

Arrange bread slices in a single layer in an ungreased 9x13 baking dish

Read more at http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/05/meatball-sub-casserole-and-giveaway.html#Db0JKXYl2iEKkOEw.99

Cowboy Baked Beans

From: Work It Mom

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
Chopped onion
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
Squirt of yellow mustard
Can of baked beans
Chopped bell pepper (optional)
Miscellaneous things from the cabinet - Worcestershire sauce, rib seasoning, seasoned salt
Bacon crumbles

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cook ground beef until brown, add onion and cook, drain excess grease. Mix the remaining ingredients in a casserole dish. Add the ground beef and onions and mix well. Top with bacon crumbles. Cook for 40-50 minutes.

Verdict:
Thumbs up! This was super simple and really delicious. It was great for a large group. I'll definitely be making this again in the future. (I did leave out the bell pepper)