Tamale Pie

Quick Tamale Pie

1 sm package cornbread mix (or make a 6 muffin portion if using corn meal)
1/2 or 1 pound ground beef (I used 1 pound)
1/4 C chopped onion
1 (15 oz) can chili con carne (chili with meat)
1/2 or 1 cup grated cheese

Mix up cornbread mix as directed and pour evenly into bottom of a greased 9x9 baking pan. (The recipe calls for 1/2 C chopped black olives to be mixed into the batter)
Brown ground beef & onion. Drain fat & mix in can of chili con carne.
Pour meat mixture evenly over top of cornbread batter.
Top with grated cheese
Bake 350 for 20 - 30 Minutes.

Meatloaf

Not your Mother's Meatloaf

2 lbs ground beef
2 eggs beaten
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 cup milk
1 t salt
1 t pepper
1 t dried thyme
1 t dried sage
1/2 pound bacon strips, uncooked
1 recipe Meatloaf Sauce (to follow)

In a large bowl combine all ingredients except bacon and sauce. Mix well. Place in a greased 9x6-inch loaf pan. Cut bacon strips in half and place over top of meatloaf to cover. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Remove from oven drain off excess juices.

Meat Loaf Sauce
2 cups ketchup
2 cups brown sugar
Place ketchup and brown sugar in a bowl. Heat in microwave. Stir until blended.

Spoon on enough Meatloaf sauce to cover top. Reserve additional sauce for passing . Return to oven and bake an additional20 minutes or until done (meat thermometer should read 350) Let stand for a few minutes before cutting. Makes 8 servings.

Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes

3 pounds ground beef
1 cup onion chopped (I use 1/3 Cup dried minced onion to make it quicker)
1 cup ketchup
3 Tablespoon brown sugar
2 Tablespoon vinegar
2 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 (10 ¾ ounce) can tomato soup
1 teaspoon salt
12 hamburger buns

Brown ground beef, drain fat. Sprinkle salt, add chopped onion and cook until tender. Stir in ketchup, tomato soup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar. Simmer for about 30 minutes, Spoon into hamburger buns and serve. Serves 12.

Confetti Spaghetti

Confetti Spaghetti

1 -12 oz package angel hair pasta

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1 medium green or red pepper, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes undrained (S&W Italian are the best)

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

1 T brown sugar

1 tsp salt

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp pepper1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

3/4 c shredded cheddar cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in large skillet, cook beef, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is well cooked. Drain fat if necessary. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, brown sugar, salt, chili powder, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne. Drain spaghetti: add to beef mixture. Transfer to a greased 9 X 13 baking dish. Cover and bake at 350 F for 30 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted. Yields 12 servings.