EASY Shepherd's Pie

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This was the first time I have made this dish, it was a request from my husband ♥ who's grandmother had made it when he was younger. So I did a little research and found a few recipes and went with my own version/taste. Chris remembers his grandmother's little different than my version or the versions I had seen online...she probably just made her own version and made more layers. :) In my search I found a lot of different versions. Some called for Worcestershire sauce and I'm going to try that next time. 

Shepherd's Pie was a dish made with Lamb or Mutton. BTW if you don't know what Mutton is, its a older Sheep (don't feel bad, I had to look it up lol) The origin was that shepherds were concerned with Sheep, not Cattle. American's usually use Beef and that version of the dish, is called "Cottage Pie" But I'll just call it Shepherd's Pie since most people know what that is... For those of you who don't, its a Meat Pie covered in a crust of Mashed Potatoes. And as I found out, So Very! Good!! and easy, and we like easy ;)

Here is what you need:

Depending on the size of casserole dish you use...

I used a 8 x 11.5 baking dish (to small!!)

Approximately 2 Lbs. of Ground Beef

1/2 Cup each of either fresh, frozen or canned Veggies that you prefer. I used frozen corn and canned peas and carrots that I froze the extra from a earlier recipe. 

4-5 Large Potatoes or Instant Potatoes. I used Instant because this is a easy version :) And I didn't have any Idaho Potatoes. You can use any potatoes that you prefer.

Jar or can of Gravy

1/2 cup of Sour Cream

1/8 Teaspoon of Onion Powder (or fresh 1/2 Cup chopped,and cooked with the beef)...My Hubby doesn't like Onions :)

Corn, Gravy, Sour Cream, Peas, Carrots

Mozzarella-Mild Cheddar mix

Use Fresh

Or use Instant

         
 
              Or use

Preheat oven to 400 degree's.

Cook the ground beef and drain.

In a bowl combine cooked Meat, Gravy, Sour Cream...fold in the veggies,until mixed well.

Spread the  Meat mixture in Casserole Dish

Add a layer of Cheese, then a layer of Potatoes

Put on middle rack in oven for about 30 min. until golden, hot and bubbly.
Next time I'm going to use a bigger, deeper pan because mine bubbled over :/

**Also a word of caution if you would like yours browned more on top, don't put a glass dish under the broiler! it will crack!! 
I'm going to use my 13x9 metal cake pan next time so I can brown mine more and so it won't bubble over.... hopefully ;)

YUM!

Savory Meatloaf

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This is one of my favorite meals! I love me some meatloaf! ;)
When I met my husband ♥ and we were going through all the things that we like and don't like, meatloaf was one of the things that he didn't like, I said "you haven't tried MY meatloaf" (we have a running joke now of you haven't tried My ------- )
Now there are quite a few things he doesn't like   but I have changed his mind with a lot of them ;) he has a open mind and will at least try things now. Unless it has mayonnaise in it, he doesn't even want to touch it! lol Hates it! 
But fortunately my meatloaf is not on the list of "un-liked" stuff! 

Please don't mind the color of some of my pics the lighting in my kitchen is terrible for pictures! It tends to make things look yellow, unless I use the flash, then it looks washed out! Can't win... :/

Before Cooking..you can see the noodles and beans from the Minestone Soup.

He loves my meatloaf so much that he bought me a new meatloaf pan, you know the one, the "As Seen On TV" meatloaf pan. See below ↓

"Perfect Meatloaf Pan set"

They actually work great! Does just what it advertised...slips right off the tray on to the serving plate.

Here is what you need:

1. At least 2 lbs. of Ground Beef

2. Can of Minestrone Soup

3. 1 Cup of Italian Style Bread Crumbs

4. 2 Eggs

5. Spices to your liking (I use Garlic Salt and Everglades Seasoning)

6. Ketchup 

Pre-heat oven  to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, add Ground Beef, Minestrone Soup, half of the Bread Crumbs and the two Eggs beaten, you may add some spices at this time, I do, but I also put them on the top,so don't over do it. With your hands mix the ingredients together. Once its mixed in a little, add the rest of the Bread Crumbs,and mix thoroughly. Shape into a loaf and put in your pan. If you don't have a loaf pan, shape into a loaf and put it in a pan that has sides, a 9x13 perhaps. Sprinkle some spices and put a layer of Ketchup on the top. Bake in the oven for an hour and insert a meat thermometer, I cook mine till it reaches 160 in the center.

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl

I serve mine with Corn and Mashed Potatoes. 

Meatloaf, Corn & Mashed Potatoes...YUM 

I always hope there is leftovers on this one, because I have a meatloaf sandwich the next day for lunch, Yum! :)

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Tator Tot Casserole

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This is one of those recipes that you just know you are going to love!
Its filling and Oh so Good! 
Its a cheesy-potato comfort food and easy to make, and we all like easy!!
 All -in-one meals are so nice.
Its a keeper!

**Updated on 3-5-12 
This dish fed 2 of us for 3 nights!! Pretty good deal, if I say so myself! :D

Here is what you need:


* 1 1/2 lbs. of Ground Beef (not pictured because I already cooked it, opps)
* Onion powder to taste (you can use real Onion, but I don't because my husband doesn't like them..its a texture thing. If you use real Onion you would want 1 small Onion chopped small.
* 1 tablespoon of Minced Garlic, or equivalent in fresh. 
* 1 1/2 Cups of frozen Corn, or 1 can of Corn (we like frozen)
* 1 can of  Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup.
* 2 Cups of Cheddar Cheese
* 1/2 Cup of Milk
* 4 tablespoons of Sour Cream
* 1 bag of Ore-Ida Crispy Crowns  Tator Tots (they are the flat-ish ones.)

Set the Ore-Ida Crowns out on the counter to thaw a bit (I put mine on a paper towel)

In skillet, cook Ground Beef, Onion powder (or Onion) and Minced Garlic. When finished cooking, drain and set aside.

In a bowl combine Mushroom soup, Sour Cream, and Milk, stir until well blended...add the Hamburger Mix, 1 Cup of Cheese and the Corn, and gently mix till blended.

Grease a 13x9  Baking Dish  and put a layer of Tater Tots on the bottom, scoop  the meat mixer on top of Tater Tots and smooth it out. Add another layer of Tater Tots, then sprinkle remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes (I like my tater tots crispy,this dish will be done at 25-30 minutes if you don't like yours as crispy) Make sure they are golden brown though :)

Mmmmm!

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