Day: October 1, 2010

Posted in Menu planning

October meals

Posted on by traci

The Wee One got to pick a couple meals for this month.  He decided hot dogs with French fries and chicken nuggets with French fries would be good menu items.  Even though the Imaginative One didn’t choose any of the meals, I’ve included one of his favorite meals this month.  He loves crockpot chicken with mashed potatoes. 

For the third month in a row, I’ve included spaghetti carbonara.  That is one of our favorite meals.  Hubby and I fight over the leftovers!  Week of October 4

  • hot dogs, French fries, raw veggies
  • mini meatloaf (freezer), butter noodles, veggies
  • crockpot chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans
  • creamy caesar chicken pasta bake, veggies, garlic bread
  • cornbread pizza, raw veggies, or salad
  • leftovers

week of October 11

  • pork chops with peppers and onions, veggies, Easy Rolls (freezer)
  • ravioli lasagna (freezer), garlic bread, salad, applesauce
  • chicken nuggets, French fries, raw veggies
  • potato soup (freezer), biscuits, salad
  • leftovers

October 18 (I’m off this week for fall break!!!!!)

week of October 25

  • lemon basil pasta, salad
  • pinto beans and ham, cornbread
  • grilled cheese and soup (TBA)
  • molasses chicken (freezer), noodles or rice side dish, veggies
  • Monterrey chicken quesadillas for the adults, plain cheese ones for the children, veggies
  • leftovers

This menu has been linked to This Mommy Cooks and Mommy’s Kitchen.

Posted in Hamburger, Pasta, Recipes

Homemade Hamburger Helper

Posted on by traci

I found this recipe on Cooking During Stolen Moment’s blog and made it many different times.  I love this recipe because I know exactly what is in the food I’m cooking.  I feel it’s more nutritious that way.  Another thing I love about this recipe is that the ingredients come straight out of my freezer, pantry, or fridge.  This is a no-frills recipe.

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 lb of hamburger
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 1 to 2 c. of pasta (I’ve used shells, elbow macaroni, and farfalle pasta.), cooked and drained
  • 2 Tbsp. butter
  • 2 Tbsp. flour
  • 2 c. milk
  • 1.5 c. shredded cheese (I usually use cheddar cheese, but it’s your choice.)
  • 2 Tbsp. ketchup
  • 2 Tbsp. Mustard (You can use regular mustard, honey, or dijon mustard.  Again, it’s your choice.)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  1. Brown the hamburger meat.  When it’s almost finished, add the onions.  Cook until they are translucent.  Take the skillet off the heat.
  2. Using the same pot you cooked the pasta in, melt the butter.  After it is melted, add the flour.  Cook it for a minute or two.
  3. Add the milk and raise the heat.  Stir until the butter/flour mixture is incorporated into the milk.
  4. Let the milk mixture boil.  Take off the heat.
  5. Add the cheese, ketchup, and mustard to the milk.  Stir until the cheese is melted.
  6. Add the hamburger and pasta.  Stir until it is all covered with cheese sauce.
  7. Enjoy!

This post is linked to Potluck Sundays, Delicious Dishes, and Tempt My Tummy.