BBQ Chicken

Makes 2 bagged meals

Ingredients:

Divide between 2 bags:

3 sweet potatoes, cubed
1 zucchini, chopped
1 onion, sliced
2 green bell peppers, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
4-5 chicken breasts, diced

In each bag, place:

8oz tomato paste
1 tablespoon worchestershire sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon mustard powder
1 garlic clove
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Close up bag, mix a bit and freeze

To cook:

Add 3/4 cup water and mixture to crockpot and cook on low 8 hours

Lasagna

Ingredients:

1 pound sweet Italian sausage (I use turkey sausage)
¾ pound lean ground beef
½ c onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
½ cup water
2 T sugar
1½ t dried basil leaves
½ t fennel seeds (I usually omit this)
1 t Italian seasoning
1 T salt (I usually reduce to a couple teaspoons)
¼ t ground black pepper
4 T chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles (regular or no cook. I usually use no cook noodles.)
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
½ t salt
¾ pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
¾ c grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

In a large Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until cooked through and browned.

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water, and stir everything together.

Add sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 T salt, pepper, and 2 T parsley, and stir to combine.

Simmer, covered, for at least 1½ hours, stirring occasionally. I usually try to simmer for as long as possible.

If using regular lasagna noodles, cook according to package instructions and drain.

In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, remaining parsley, and ½ teaspoon salt.
Preheat oven to 375°F.

To assemble, spread 1½ cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange a single layer of noodles over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese.

Spoon 1½ cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.

Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.

Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes.

Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

2 whole boneless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup diced onions
1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
3 cloves, garlic minced
1 can (10oz) rotel tomatoes with green chilies
32 ounces chicken broth
3 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cups hot water
2 cans (15oz) black beans, drained
3 tablespoons cornmeal
5 whole corn tortillas, cut into uniform strips about 2 to 3 inches

Garnishes:

Sour cream
Diced avocados
Diced red onions
Salsa
Pico De Gallo
Grated cheeses
Cilantro

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil on chicken breasts, then sprinkle a small amount of spice mix on both sides. Set aside the rest of the spice mix.

Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Use two forks to shred chicken. Set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onions, bell peppers, and minced garlic. Stir and begin cooking, then add the rest of the spice mix. Stir to combine, then add shredded chicken and stir.

Pour in rotel, chicken broth, tomato paste, water, and black beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered.

Mix cornmeal with small amount of water. Pour into soup, then simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Check seasonings, adding more if needed - add more chili powder if it needs more spice and be sure not to under salt. Turn off heat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Five minutes before serving, gently stir in tortilla strips.

Serve in bowls with favorite garnishes.

Penne Pasta Casserole

Ingredients:

12oz dry penne pasta, uncooked (12oz=3 cups)
1 pound ground sirloin beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 can (14.5oz) diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, undrained
1 can (6oz) tomato paste
1/2 cup water
Non stick cooking spray
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Brown meat with onions in a large skillet; drain. Stir in tomatoes with their liquid, the tomato paste and water; cook until heated through, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
3. Spray 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray. Drain pasta; place in large bowl. Add tomato mixture and 2 cups of the cheese; toss to coat. Spoon into prepared dish; sprinkle evenly with remaining 1 cup cheese.
4. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until casserole is heated through and cheese is melted.

Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 whole large onion, diced
1 whole large bell pepper, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons chili powder (more to taste)
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more to taste)
Worcestershire sauce, to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional)
Tabasco sauce (optional; to taste)
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Directions:

Add butter to a large skillet and over medium high heat and melt. Then add ground need and cook until brown. Drain most if the fat and discard.

Add onions, green peppers, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until vegetables begin to get soft.

Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili powder, dry mustard, red pepper flakes, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Tabasco if desires. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Spread rolls with butter and brown on a griddle it skillet. Spoon meat mixture over the rolls and topping with a slice of cheese if desired.