As a busy mother and wife, I am a big fan of casserole dishes for our family dinners because I can get them onto the table in less than 60 minutes. If you are as busy as I am, I think you will appreciate these 3 recipes.
Time Saving Tips:
1. Brown up your hamburger ahead of time and freeze in airtight freezer containers.
2. Chop all vegetables the night before and store in the refrigerator.
3. To save money, purchase your ground beef in large family value packs.
Onion Beef Macaroni Casserole
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 tablespoons flour
2 cups water
1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup uncooked macaroni
Brown meat in large skillet, drain off grease. Stir in onion soup mix, flour, tomato sauce, water and macaroni. Simmer covered for approximately 10 minutes or until macaroni is almost done. Pour mixture into a lightly greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the cheese on top. Bake in a preheated oven set at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
Taco Hamburger Casserole
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 cup water
9 oz. package frozen green beans
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Brown ground beef in a large skillet then drain off excess fat. Add taco mix and water. Cook over low heat 8-10 minutes or until liquid has been absorbed. Meanwhile, cook green beans according to package directions, drain. Spread meat in a greased baking pan. Spread beans over meat and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 15-20 minutes or until hot and cheese melted.
Beef and Rice Casserole
1 cup uncooked rice
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 cup black olives, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 cup celery, finely chopped
2 1/2 cups canned stewed tomatoes
1 cup water
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
Brown ground beef in a frying pan until browned. Stir in chopped onion, celery and rice. Simmer until browned and softened. Add tomatoes, water and seasonings. Cook for 5-7 minutes and then transfer to a 2 quart casserole dish. Bake covered in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.
