Meatballs!!!

My hubby loves meatballs! I could take them or leave them and don't make them often but when I do, I do a lot at one time. These are perfect to freeze so you have them for a quick meal later on, I froze mine raw but they are great frozen after baked thru then you can pop one or two into the microwave for the kids at lunch time.

Meatballs.
2 lb of Ground Beef or Turkey (Worcester sauce to make it more beefy when using turkey)
2 Eggs
1/4 c Parmesan
1/2-3/4 cup breadcrumbs (Start with 1/2 c.)
Spices- whatever you like!
2 jars spaghetti sauce




Put meat into the bowl and add everything. Mix well until it holds together. Use the extra 1/4 c breadcrumbs if it isn't holding together well. Just like my meatloaf!



Roll into 2 inch balls and refrigerate covered over night. I put mine on wax paper lined pan and cover with wax paper before wrapping in plastic wrap.

In the morning about 6-8 hours before you want to eat get out the crock pot and set on low. Add just enough spaghetti sauce to cover bottom. Then place in the meatballs. Cover with remaining spaghetti sauce. add 1/2 can/jar water just to thin it a bit. Cook on Low for 6-8 hours. 

Serve with Pasta of your choice. Real yummy with garlic bread and a simple salad!

That night I only made half of the meatballs and froze the other half so I only used one can of sauce. Was another big hit and hubby stopped asking for a while :)

Quicky Chicken and Pasta

Here is another of my quick and easy recipes that is all things I keep in the house most times. I buy my chicken breasts bulk when they are .99-1.49 per pound (no more than that) then I bake up a big batch, dice, and freeze for later. Makes for quick meals when you didn't remember to thaw something. (I think we have all been there at one time or another)


   

Quicky Chicken and Pasta

This recipe is extremely adaptable. For mine I took 1 cup diced cooked chicken, 1 1/2 cooked bow tie pasta, 1 cup peas and carrots. 2 TBSP butter and herbs.

    Brown the butter with herbs. This is totally up to you what and how much. I personally love my onion, garlic, pepper, and parsley.

Add the chicken and veggies until coated with the butter and herbs and warmed thru. 

Add the cooked pasta and stir until coated completely. (Pasta water can be added if its too tight) 

Then serve. I add Parmesan to mine! This made enough for  my little guy and I with enough left for another person! 

To adapt- Use your favorite herbs and spices. Choose the meat you have on hand. Use whatever pasta you want! Double Triple just have fun with it!

Quick and Easy Pork and Rice

I love easy quick meals that fill you up without breaking the bank. This pork I got super cheap on sale (bought bulk and portioned it myself) Was .99 a pound!!!  Most of these Items you will find in my home all the time.  This meal was made one of those days where I was hungry it was day before grocery day and I was running low on everything. 

              My guy was ready to help Mommy

Quick and Easy Pork and Rice

1 lb Pork Cubed
Seasonings of your choice. ( I use garlic and onion powder, parsley, and pepper)
Can of Creamy Mushroom Soup
Brown Rice - About 3 cups prepared (I used white as we had chinese night before)
Shredded Cheese- 2 cups
Baking pan lined with Foil- I use a brownie pan as it seems to be the best size for me.

Season the pork and brown until cooked thru.

 .Serve with a side of veggies or mix in veggies before baking.
Serves 6 

 

We call him "QC" (quality control) Keeps him happy and quiet when I'm cooking and we sing and dance, I tell him step by step what I'm doing as well! Its lots of fun!!

 In separate bowl mix the rice and seasonings with the soup and 1 cup shredded cheese.

 

Add browned and drained pork to the mix.

 

Place into baking pan and top with remaining cheese.

 

  Cook for 20 min at 350 or until warmed thru and cheese is bubbly.

  Serve with a side of veggies or mix in veggies before baking.
Serves 6

Shepard's Pie!

I love love love Shepard's Pie and its super easy too! Its super quick to make and tasty!

What you will need:
  1lb of beef or turkey (have you noticed I prefer turkey yet?)
  1 bag of frozen veggies (be creative use what YOU like)
  Mashed potatoes (this is where I use up any leftover's or make enough for two servings, Hubby is diabetic so we watch the amount of carbs in our foods most of the time) I think I used about 1 cup as that is what I had in the fridge from the Meatloaf Cupcakes
1 spoon flour ( I really don't measure it!)

Heat Oven to 350 (yes this is the temp I use on almost everything)

Brown one pound of your choice of ground meat, add whatever your favorite spice mixture is! (I'll add my spice recipe in another post)

  Add your bag of veggies, I used peas and carrots since that is my toddlers favorite mix.

Once everything is mixed and the veggies start to thaw spray a 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray, add flour to the mix and stir well. 
 Place mixture into pan and spread potatoes on top.

It should look like this. You can add more potatoes if you wish.
I bake mine for about 15 minutes just until the potatoes are hot and the veggies get a little more soft.

This was another big hit with my toddler and I loved it too. Hubby didn't get to try it this time but he loves it any other time.
           Normally I would have added some Worcestershire sauce but I was out today.

Serves 4 generously.  Total cost of this meal was $3.00!!!