Easiest Meatloaf Ever

Meatloaf is by far one of my favorite foods. I've always wanted to be able to make a great meatloaf, but my many attempts in the past have failed every time.

Recently, I found a very simple recipe on Pinterest and I thought, what the heck, I'll give it a try.

I'm so glad  I did. I finally have a recipe that works and tastes great! I couldn't believe how easy it was and my family absolutely loved it. Requests for a repeat of this meal were immediate, in fact, we're having it again tonight.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of ground beef
• 1 box any flavor Stove Top Stuffing Mix (I used Savory Herb)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup of water

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients together and smoosh into a loaf pan.  Bake on 350 for 45 minutes.

I served this will mashed potatoes and green beans.  I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do.

Hamburger Vegetable Soup

I made this wonderful vegetable soup for dinner last week.  It was amazing and it's the perfect time of year for it.

I made this on the stove, but you could also pre-cook your onions, peppers, celery, garlic and ground beef and throw it all together with the other ingredients in the crock pot.  The longer it cooks the better it tastes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 orange bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 tbsp all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups beef broth
• 3 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can sliced potatoes, drained
• 1 can carrots, drained
• 1 can green beans, drained
• 1 bag frozen corn
• 4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 4 dashes hot sauce
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tsp salt
• pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Using a large soup pot, heat oil to medium/high. 
2. Add chopped onions, peppers and celery and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
3. Add ground beef and garlic and cook until no longer pink.
4. Drain excess fat and sprinkle in flour.
5. Stir till blended and cook for about 3 minutes.
6. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes.  

You can change this up to match your taste.  Add whatever vegetables your family likes.  The possibilities are endless!

Spicy Taco Soup

This is my spiced up version of Taco Soup.  I found a basic recipe and altered it to my taste buds.  It must have been pretty good, because my guys loved it.  I hope you will too!

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 small Vidalia onion, chopped
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cans Rotel
• 1 can condensed tomato soup
• 2 cans Spicy V8 Juice (5.5 oz. each)
• 1 - 12 oz. bag of frozen sweet corn
• 1 packet of taco seasoning
• 1 packet ranch seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

• Brown ground beef with chopped onion and drain.
• Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. 
• Once it comes to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for at least 30 minutes.

This was super easy and really yummy.  I served it with tortilla chips and shredded cheese.

I wish I could tell you the exact nutrition facts on this recipe, but I just threw it together.  I did find a similar soup on My Fitness Pal which was 238 calories for 1 cup. 

Yielded approximately four generous servings.  

Three Bean Chili

We love chili at our house.  So, needless to say, we have tried many recipes throughout the years.  I recently happened upon a new recipe on Pinterest for Three Bean Chili.  I did tweak it a bit, but it was so good it has earned a place on our recurring meals list.

So without further ado, here is the recipe, with my tweaks.

Three Bean Chili

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 small sweet onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 ounce) can light red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup vegetable juice
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon cyan pepper
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• sea salt to taste
• 2 cups water

Directions:  In a large sauce pan, add ground beef and cook over medium heat, breaking up meat with a spoon.  Just when it starts to lose its pink color, add onion and garlic and cook until onions are tender.  Drain fat.

Add additional ingredients and bring to a boil.  Turn down to simmer and let cook for 1 hour.  

This recipe can also be done in the crock pot.  After browning meat, onions and garlic in a sauce pan place all ingredients in your crock pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Enjoy! :)