Chili Cheese Dog Casserole

This recipe is sure to have the kids (and grown-ups) asking for more! It is simple and easy to throw together. 

1 package of hot dogs*
1 (8oz) Cheddar Cheese, cut into one inch cubes
1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic minced
1 (15oz) Tomato Sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
3 teaspoons Chili Powder
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

1 can refrigerated Biscuit Dough
1/4 cup Butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a non-stick skillet, cook hamburger, onion and garlic until meat is no longer pink. Drain. Cut hot dogs into one inch pieces. Add to hamburger mixture. Stir in tomato sauce, Worcestershire, chili powder and pepper. Simmer for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cubed cheese. Transfer to a 13x9 dish sprayed with oil. 

Cut biscuits into 6 pieces. Add butter, onion, chili and garlic powders into a gallon zip top bag. Add biscuits and shake to coat each piece. Place the biscuit pieces on top of meat mixture. Bake for about 30-45 minutes or until biscuits are cooked through and golden brown on top. If the biscuits are golden, but still not cooked in the middle, place a sheet of foil loosely across the top and continue to bake. When done, add the shredded cheese and return to the oven until melted. 

*Use your favorite brand.

Hamburger and Potato Casserole with a Bechamel Twist

I was trying to figure out what to cook for supper with the things I had on hand. The cabinets are getting pretty bare, and those that know me, know that "running to the store" is not an option out here. I need a couple of hours to be able to do the shopping. Well, I had ground beef in the freezer and thawed it out. I had a few potatoes, a couple of onions and some cheese. Most recipes would call for some cream of mushroom or broth next, but I didn't have any on hand. I decided to go with a bechamel with a garlic kick. Here's a step by step, and the recipe is at the end.

Layer potatoes and onions.

Next combine hamburger, spices and bechamel,

then top the potatoes and onions.

Next Cheese!

Another layer of potatoes and onions.

More meat mixture.

Continue layering.

After 4 hours cooking on high.

All plated and ready to gobble up! It went fast!

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

¼ cup flour

2 cups milk

2 garlic cloves, run through a garlic press

1 tsp salt

¼ tsp. Pepper

3 lbs. peeled russet potatoes, sliced

1 sliced onion

3 cups shredded sharp cheese

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Brown the ground beef on the stove top. Remove meat and reserve grease. Add flour to grease and stir to cook the flour to make a roux. Add a little butter if needed. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil. Sauce won’t thicken until mixture comes to a boil. Stir in meat and seasonings.

In a Crock Pot* base, layer 1/3 of the potatoes. Salt and Pepper the potatoes, to taste. Add 1/3 of the onions, 1/3 of the meat mixture, and 1 cup of the cheese. Repeat the layers ending with cheese.

Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or until the potatoes get soft.

*If you don’t have a crock pot, layer as instructed in a casserole deep dish and cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until potatoes are fork tender.

Bacon Egg and Cheeseburger on a Tater Tot Waffle Bun

I was looking for a picture today and ran across this one. I know what some people will say, but I don't make this one often. My hubby loved it and would love one every week! I dusted off the waffle maker and used tater tots to make a waffle bun**. Thus the Bacon, Egg and Cheeseburger on a Tater Tot Bun was born... at my house at least! Here's a good, but different burger mix to incorporate some sausage into your burger.

Beef and Pork Burger Patties

1lb Italian Sausage, de-cased
1lb ground beef

Salt, Pepper and Garlic Powder
16 small slider buns, dinner rolls or Tater Tot Waffle Bun

Onion, diced very small

2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

In a large bowl, combine sausage and beef. Using your hands, blend the two meats together.* Spread the onions on a heavy duty cookie or baking sheet. Using your hands, crumble and spread the meat mixture over the onion and press down. If you try to spread it by pushing the meat, the onions move and gather on the ends. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Bake in a 375 degree oven for about 15 minute. Cooking time will vary according to your preferred doneness. Internal temperature should be 160˚F for medium. Remove from the oven and pour off the excess grease. Sprinkle with cheese and return to oven long enough to melt the cheese. Let rest for a minute, then slice into squares using a pizza cutter or knife. Slice the rolls and top the sliders with your favorite condiments. 

*Or form into patties and cook or grill. Use the burgers as the base on a tater tot waffle and top with bacon and egg.

** For the waffle bun...
Defrost some tater tots a bit. Preheat your waffle maker. Spray down top and bottom with cooking spray. Place tater tots on the cooking surface on the bottom. Close tightly and lock. Cook until golden brown as pictured above.

Homemade Chili

It's cold outside, and it actually snowed in the midlands of South Carolina this morning, for about 15 minutes! Wow! That was a close one! LOL Needless to say, there isn't a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk left in the stores, so I won't even try to venture out to the store! I found some beans, onions and tomatoes in the pantry, and I had some hamburger in the freezer! Good time for a giant pot of chili! 

For the Beans:

1 lb dried Red Kidney Beans

4 cups water, or stock

1/2 tsp dried, minced onion

1 tsp minced garlic

salt and pepper to taste

Rinse and drain the beans several times. Add the water, onion, garlic, salt and pepper to a large pot and cook for a few hours or until beans are tender.

To finish the Chili:

1-2 pounds ground lean beef

1 onion, chopped

2 cans diced tomatoes, drained

4 tablespoons of chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 teaspoons paprika

2 tablespoons ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste

Cook hamburger and onion until meat is done. Drain off fat. Add tomato and stir. Add to the beans. Add the seasonings and stir until dissolved and mixed well. Simmer until chili is the thickness you like. I usually let mine simmer for about 45 minutes. Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream and cornbread!

Cheeseburger Slider Casserole

• We have been having a rough time in the South/Southeast after Hurricane Matthew. North Carolina is continuing to have flooding issues. Here in South Carolina, many people remain in the dark with no power. I am lucky. I have my power back on, but just 2 miles down the road they are still without power. It is possible that they will be without power for a few more days! With that being said, we got a little tired of the grill. I have never missed my stove more! You might think casseroles are boring, but when you even have to grill water, you may understand why a new casserole recipe brings me so much joy!

• 
  
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 cups diced onion
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can Diced Tomatoes, drained
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 12 slices cheese (your choice)*
• 12 dinner rolls**

Topping

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons minced Garlic
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 
  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.

Place hamburger in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned and onions are cooked. Drain off fat. Stir in drained tomatoes and cook until heated through. Season with salt, pepper.

Place bottom half of buns in prepared pan. Top with beef mixture & sliced cheese. Finish off with the top half of the bun.

Mix all the ingredients for the glaze in a saucepan over medium heat until melted, smooth and combined. Pour over the buns.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

* I used American Cheese.

** Use Plain Dinner Rolls and not sweet dinner rolls.

Taco Seasoning Mix

My son loves Tacos... soft tacos. I planned to make him some tonight and did not realize that I was out of seasoning mix. I figured it couldn't be that hard to make some. I researched it and found the ingredients. I adjusted it to my families taste and this is what I came up with tonight. My son was satisfied so I guess it's a keeper! LOL

2 teaspoons Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon Paprika
1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/4 teaspoon Dried Oregano

Mix seasoning together in a small bowl. Add to 1 1/2 - 2 pounds of cooked, drained hamburger meat and add 1/3 to 1/2 cup water and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

My hubby liked it too for his salad!

Zucchini Lasagna

My DIL asked me to make this lasagna to cut down on carbs and calories. I used my regular lasagna recipe and substituted grilled zucchini for the pasta. 

4-5 Zucchini, sliced lengthwise about 25 slices*
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 lb ground Beef
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 1/2 cups Béchamel Sauce (recipe below)
4 cups Tomato Sauce
1 tsp minced Garlic
1 tsp Basil
Salt and Pepper
15 oz Ricotta cheese
2 large eggs
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Sprinkle sliced zucchini with salt, pepper and a little garlic powder. Coat a grill pan with oil and grill zucchini on both sides until lightly brown, and set aside.

In a large sauté pan, heat olive oil on med-high. Add ground beef, salt and pepper, and sauté until browned, breaking up large clumps. Remove from heat, drain excess fat and let cool completely.

Preheat oven to 375 and make sure rack is in center position of oven.

In a medium bowl, mix the béchamel and tomato sauces to blend. Add meat mixture, garlic and basil.

In another medium bowl, mix ricotta, eggs, and ½ cup Mozzarella cheese.** (You can also add fresh minced garlic, basil and other seasonings if desired.)

In a 13 x 9 baking dish, spoon a little sauce and meat mixture over the bottom of the dish. Place zucchini slices over top the sauce, overlapping slightly and completely covering the bottom of the dish.
Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles and sprinkle with ½ cup mozzarella. Place more zucchini slices over ricotta mixture, top with sauce, and sprinkle with ½ cup mozzarella. Top with remaining zucchini, then rest of sauce, and mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45-60 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.

*It will depend on the size of the zucchini as to how many slices you will yield. The pan is 13x9, and there are 3 layers of zucchini slices. I ended up using 5 small size zucchini cut the thickness of noodles on a mandolin slicer.

**Tip: The lasagna will puff up because of the egg in the ricotta. When the center is risen as high as the edges, it’s done.

Béchamel Sauce

3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk

In a medium sauce pan, over med-high heat, melt butter and whisk in flour, stirring until lightly browned. Slowly add in milk, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring each addition until thickened and bubbly. Simmer, stirring constantly, until sauce is thick, smooth and creamy but not boiling, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in a pinch of salt, pepper to taste and if desired, a pinch of nutmeg.

Taco Cheese Dip

I made this dip today with what I had on hand for my son and his friend while they were working on his car! Nice treat for a job well done! 

2 cups prepared Taco Meat
8 oz Cream Cheese, room temp
1 cup Cheddar Cheese
10 oz can Rotel (Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles)

Combine and pour into a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until melted and bubbly! Serve with chips or crackers.

Mexican Pizza Casserole

1 pound Ground Beef

1 package Taco Seasoning, or use your own blend
4-8 lrg Flour Tortillas, torn into four pieces
1 can Black Beans
1 can Pinto Beans

1 can Diced Tomatoes

1 can Corn

1 can Green Chiles
Salsa (about a cup)*
2 cups Shredded Colby~Jack Cheese **

Possible Toppings... Lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, black olives and/or scallions

Brown hamburger, drain and season with a couple of teaspoons your favorite taco seasoning. Drain all the cans corn, tomato, chiles and beans. Combine with meat mixture, and add salsa. Season with more taco seasoning if needed. Add salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste.
In a 13X9 Casserole dish, layer meat mixture, cheese, tortillas and repeat ending with cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees or until cheese is melted and starting to get golden brown.

Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

* Add enough salsa to moisten the mixture, but not enough to make it soggy. I used about a cup, maybe a little less.

** I always use more cheese than called for. Use as much or as little as you want!





Shared on Meal Plan Monday 

Cooking with Charlie! Zucchini Alrfedo Boats!

I love my baby brother. He is a good cook! Mama taught us both to cook. I can remember him sitting cross-legged on the counter beside the stove cooking eggs... the prettiest fried eggs you have ever seen. If a yolk broke, he would say, "Uh Oh! Broke!" and dump it in the trash and start over! LOL

I got a call saying that Charlie (my baby 'brudder') was cooking, and I needed to come take pictures so my followers would know how it's done right. Did I mention he is also modest??? (Rolling eyes here) He used the zucchini that I brought (I was given the zucchini by my BFFF Mary over at Cooking with Mary and Friends) to make Zucchini Alfredo Boats! But first, a little bit of munchies while the 'boats' are in process!

 Zucchini Chips in the making!

 Seasonings and Parm Cheese Toasted and Crispy!

Do you think they are good?

This is just after Christy and I went after them!

 Now, let's get serious! He scooped the insides out!

He made a hamburger and mushroom mixture

and of course it has cheese!

 He added more Parmesan cheese on top!

 Baked until browned and the zucchini is soft.

 Topped with an Alfredo Sauce and more cheese!

Baked until browned!

I was not even hungry, and I ate the whole thing!!!

OMGeeeeee!

My Baby Brudder, Charlie!

I'll work on a complete recipe soon! Not easy to follow the master in real time! LOL

Mexican Pizza

1 pound Ground Beef

1 package Taco Seasoning
4 Flour Tortillas
1 can Refried Beans
Taco Sauce
Shredded Colby~Jack Cheese

Possible Toppings... Lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole and/or scallions

Brown hamburger, drain and season with your favorite taco seasoning. (Follow the package direction.)
Spread all 4 of the tortillas with refried beans.

On two tortillas spread half of the meat mixture.
Drizzle with 2 T of taco sauce.
Top with cheese.
Add a second layer with the other tortillas and repeat layering meat, sauce and cheese.
Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees or until cheese is melted and starting to get golden brown.
Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Pepperoni Pizza Burger Bombs!

The Kids love pizza and burgers, So I combined the two for these Pepperoni Pizza Burger Bombs! As you can tell by the picture at the bottom of the post... It got them all here! :-)

 This was the test run.
It tasted good, but not very pretty!

This was the second run.
Very good and looks good too!

Pizza Sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, grated
1 small onion, chopped

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

One 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes

Burger Bombs :

1 pound ground beef

Kosher salt and black pepper

Pizza dough, room temperature

8 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced

4 ounces thin pepperoni (about 32 slices)

1/4 cup olive oil, for brushing

For the sauce: To a small saucepan over low heat add the oil, garlic and onion and cook until fragrant. Add the tomato paste and seasoning, and mash with the back of a wooden spoon. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

For the burger: Form the meat into four 4-ounce patties and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Grill until medium, then remove from the heat and place on a paper-towel-lined plate.

Divide the pizza dough into four 4-ounce balls. Press out each ball on a floured board. Top each dough round with a slice of mozzarella, a couple slices of pepperoni, then 1 burger patty and 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce. Repeat with cheese and pepperoni. Fold the dough over the burger as if making a large dumpling. Brush with olive oil and top with a little extra cheese and pepperoni. Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with extra pizza sauce on the side for dipping.

Cheeseburger Pie and a South Your Mouth Cookbook Giveaway

My friend Mandy at South Your Mouth has some awesome recipes! I've made many of her dishes, and all of them have turned out delicious. As a matter of fact, she has compiled them in her cookbook, "South Your Mouth: Tried & True Southern Recipes", and I'm giving away a copy! It's easy to enter! Go to the link below and enter to get wonderful recipe like the one I've linked in the picture... Cheeseburger Pie! This cookbook is a great guide for the beginner or anyone wanting some good ole comfort food!

 Cheeseburger Pie

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shepherd's Pie

I was asked to make a post on my Shepherd's Pie. I hadn't because I really didn't think anyone needed a recipe. I don't think of it being a "recipe" to follow. It's just something I throw together... but here goes.

The pictures below are of my Shepherd's Pie at church for about 50 people in 2 buffet pans. So, the amounts are different when I do such a large batch. All the amounts are up to you and your taste. Use more cheese if you like, or more potatoes etc.

2 pounds Hamburger, cooked and drained
4 cups Mashed Potatoes*
8 oz Sour Cream
Butter, to taste
Salt and Pepper, to taste
2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Cook the hamburger seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Some people add diced onion while the meat is cooking.

Drain the hamburger, but don't let it dry out.

It helps keep the meat moist!

 Mix the potatoes, butter and sour cream.

Add seasonings such as salt, pepper and garlic powder

and spread over the meat mixture!

Top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees

until the cheese is melted and golden brown!

*Tips... As a short cut and time saver at church, I use potato pearls (They are dehydrated potato pieces). It's your choice. You can use homemade or instant! Also a lot of people add corn between the meat and potatoes. I have some people at church that can't have corn, so I serve it on the side instead.

Pizza Dip

My son loves all things pizza, so I made this dip. It was perfect for him. I served it with bread sticks, but you could serve it with crackers or chips. The full recipe is at the bottom of this post.

Mix cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese until smooth.

Spread in the bottom of an oven proof dish.

I used a jarred spaghetti sauce and added hamburger.

Sprinkle with bacon and add mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with basil, salt and pepper.

Add pepperoni and a little Colby Jack cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 or 20 minutes.

I used canned biscuit dough and shaped them into bread sticks.

YUMMY!

Pizza Dip Recipe

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese

3/4 cup finely shredded Colby Jack cheese blend, divided

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon basil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

12 slices pepperoni
Crumbled bacon (2 slices)

1/4 lb hamburger cooked and crumbled

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a bowl combine spaghetti sauce, garlic, onion, basil, salt and pepper. Set pizza sauce aside.

In another bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream and 1/2 cup of Colby Jack cheese.  Mix well until combined.

Spread cream cheese mixture in an even layer in a baking dish. Pour blended pizza sauce over cream cheese mixture and evenly distribute with spatula. Add hamburger and bacon.

Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese over pizza sauce. Top pizza dip with pepperoni. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup of Colby Jack cheese.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is browned and bubbly.

Serve with Breadsticks.