Survive the Recession - Cook Fast and Save Money With Ground Meat in Tasty Meals

These are additional recipes that use ground beef, but may be prepared with ground chuck or ground sirloin, ground turkey (or chicken) or grilled/chinked eggplant or any meat or vegetable that you enjoy. Beans can often be substituted for meat in vegetarian versions of these dishes as well.

Please enjoy these recipes and cook with a friend for even more fun!

Ingredients

• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 1 lb. ground beef or turkey
• 1 lb. sweet or hot Italian pork sausage without casings (or use beef sausage)
• 1 large onion, chopped coarse
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3½ Cups chicken or vegetable broth
• ¼ Cup chopped fresh basil
• 2 cans (15oz size) diced tomatoes seasoned with garlic, oregano and basil
• 16 oz. white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and well drained
• ½ Cup uncooked elbow macaroni
• 6 oz. baby spinach leaves (well washed)
• ⅓ Cup grated Romano cheese

Instructions

• Heat oil in pan over medium heat.
• Add beef, sausage and onion and cook until meats are browned. Add garlic and cook 20 seconds to mix.
• Add broth, basil, tomatoes and beans and heat up to the boil.
• Cover and cook on low for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add pasta and cook until pasta is al dente.
• Add the spinach and cook just until wilted while stirring.
• Remove from heat and stir in cheese and serve.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and sliced
• 26 oz. Italian Pasta Sauce or
• 16 oz. tube-shaped pasta (ziti or "sewer pipes"), cooked al dente and drained
• 1.5 Cups shredded Mozzarella cheese
• 1 Cup Ricotta cheese
• 1/2 Cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Instructions

• Cook beef and garlic in large skillet until beef is browned, stirring to break it up. Drain any excess grease and then add zucchini and cook until tender-crisp.
• Stir in Pasta sauce and then add ½ cup each Mozzarella, Ricotta and Parmesan cheeses
• Place into a in 3 Quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses.
• Bake at 400 Degrees F for 15-20 minutes until hot.

Makes 2 Servings.

Ingredients

• 1 15-16 oz. can of chili with beef or turkey
• 2 Packages of ramen noodles
• 4 Slices of your favorite cheese
• Butter
• 4 Slices of cheese, any kind (2 slices per sandwich)
• Chopped onions, any type

Instructions

• Cook ramen noodles and drain.
• Add seasoning packets and heat chili in another pot or just put the seasoned noodles into a bowl.
• Make two grilled cheese sandwiches in a skillet.
• Put one grilled cheese sandwich in the bottom of each of two bowls.
• Put noodles into each bowl on top of the grilled cheese and then top with chili.
• Sprinkle the chopped onion on top.

Ingredients

• One serving bowl of leftover mashed potatoes.
• One cooked hamburger or ground beef for one serving.
• One package of ramen noodles (save seasoning packet for something else)
• Soy sauce
• Hot sauce or hot sesame oil
• Teriyaki sauce

Instructions

• Cook the ramen according to package directions, drain and set aside.
• Brown meat in a skillet or warm the hamburger patty in the microwave briefly.
• Heat leftover mashed potatoes in a pan with butter. They will begin to fry like a potato cake.
• Mix ¼ cup teriyaki sauce in separate dish with several dashes of soy and hot sauce or sesame oil.
• Pour the sauce over the frying potatoes blend well.
• Add the ramen noodles to the mashed potato mixture and sauce, blend briefly.
• Place hamburger in the bottom of a bowl and place potato mixture on top and enjoy.

This makes 1 or 2 servings.

You can make this one without the chili or meat - just ramen noodles, cheese and some flavorful chips crumbled in.if you want something light and fast.

Ingredients

• 1 packet of ramen noodles, beef or hot chili flavor
• 1 15-16 oz can of chili with beans (beef or turkey)
• 4 oz. of any leftover meat you have, including hamburger - crumble it up.
• 1 serving of corn chips or nacho chips, any desired flavor
• Shredded cheddar or Pepper Jack cheese
• Optional - chopped onions (green, scallions, Spanish, Vidalia)

Instructions

• Crumble corn chips or nachos.
• Cook the noodles, drain, and place the pot back on the burner, on medium heat.
• Quickly mix in chili, leftover meat, corn chips, or nacho chips.
• Mix in cheese to the desired consistency and sprinkle onion on top.
• Optional - add hot sauce or jalapenos.