Western Casserole

1 pound ground beef

1 can kidney beans

1 can corn

1 can condensed tomato soup

2/3 cup milk

2 tsp chili powder

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef; drain.  Return to pan and add beans, corn, soup, milk, and chili powder.  Stir well and heat to boiling.  Simmer 10-15 minutes or until slightly thickened.  Stir in cheddar cheese and heat until melted.  Serve over warm corn bread.

Thoughts and Tips:

*You can also pour the soup mixture into a casserole and top with corn bread batter.  Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes until bread is done.

*If you don't like kidney beans, substitute another type of beans such as pinto or Great Northern.

This is another quick and easy, one pan meal.  I usually use a Jiffy mix for the cornbread; bake it in an 8x8 pan or two packages in a 9x13.


Slow Cooker Variation
Pour all ingredients except cheese into a slow cooker.  Cook on low 5-6 hours or high 2-3 hours.  Add cheese and let sit 10-15 minutes until cheese melts.  

Spanish Rice

1 package Mexican or Spanish Rice

1 pound ground beef, browned and drained

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 can corn, drained

1 1/2 cups water

1/2-3/4 cup shredded cheddar or Cojack cheese

Mix all ingredients except cheese in microwave safe casserole dish.  Microwave on high for 6 minutes.  Stir.  Add another 1/4 cup water if it is dry.  Add cheese.  Microwave for an additional 6 minutes.  If rice is not completely cooked, heat for another 1-2 minutes as needed.

Tips and Thoughts:
We like Knorr's Spanish Rice for this dish. 
If you need a larger batch, double everything except the corn and cook in a skillet on the stovetop.

This started as a "what do I have to throw together for dinner" meal and has turned into a family favorite.  It is a quick and easy, one pot meal.

Taco Bake

Originally from Kraft Food and Family Magazine

1 package (14 oz) Macaroni and Cheese Dinner

1 pound ground beef

1 package (1 1/4 oz) taco seasoning mix

3/4 cup water

3/4 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 cup salsa

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Prepare dinner as directed on package.  While macaroni is cooking, brown meat; drain.  Add taco seasoning mix and water to meat; simmer 5 minutes.

Stir sour cream into prepared dinner.  Spoon half of the dinner mix into 8 inch square or 9 inch round baking dish; top with layers of the meat mixture, 1 cup of the cheese, and remaining dinner mixture.  Cover.

Bake 15 minutes.  Top with salsa and remaining 1/2 cup cheese.  Bake, uncovered, an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Thoughts and Tips:

You can use any brand of Macaroni and Cheese, but our family prefers Kraft.  I only use 1 Tbsp of butter instead of the 4 the box calls for.

Use any strength of salsa you desire.  Mild almost got overwhelmed by the other flavors in this dish, so I would recommend at least a Medium.

Really, how can you go wrong with this?  Tacos--good.  Mac and Cheese--everyone's favorite.  Quick and easy--perfect for a weeknight!