The Antipasto Anti-Pasta

Ingredients:

• 1 cup asparagus, ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1 (12 ounce) package bow tie (farfalle) pasta
• 1 lb hot Italian sausage
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• ¼ cup green onion, chopped
• 1 (6 ounce) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
• 1 roasted red peppers, sliced
• ½ (3 oz) can black olives, sliced
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup sundried tomato oregano dressing

Directions:
Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 35 min Yield: 4

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Blanch asparagus for 1 minute, then remove with tongs, and rinse with cold water to cool.
2. Add pasta to the boiling water and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
3. Meanwhile, brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4. When the sausage has nearly cooked through, drain the excess grease, and stir in garlic and onion.
5. Add asparagus, artichokes, olives and roasted peppers, cook for 1 to 2 minutes to warm.
6. Stir in the hot pasta along with Parmesan cheese, and dressing to moisten.

Approx. Calories 750 per serving

Beef Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 lb stewing beef
• 2 carrots, diced
• 8 baby red potatoes
• 1 cup mushroom caps
• 1 cup asparagus, chopped
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup broth
• 1 tbsp garlic
• 1 tbsp Mrs. Dash
• salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Prep Time: 10 min Total Time: 6-8 hours Yield: 4

1. Place all ingredients in crock pot. Add water if liquid doesn't cover most of the ingredients.
2. Cook on lowest crockpot temp. for 6-8 hours.
3. Drain liquid and serve, or thicken liquid with corn-starch and cook for another 30 min. on high for more liquid stew.

 

Approx. Calories xx per serving

Easy Beef Strogonaff

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef strips
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed golden mushroom soup
• 10 ounces sour cream
• 1/2 cup reserved beef broth
• 16 ounces egg noodles
• 1 cup fresh mushrooms, diced

Directions:

Prep Time: 30 min Total Time: 1 hr Yield: 4 dozen

1. Fry beef slowly for about 10 min, until tender. Remove and save. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the broth.
2. Cook egg noodles according to directions.
3. Add broth, soup and sour cream in sauce pan. Heat until just boiling.
4. Add beef and mushrooms into the mixture. Heat through.

Approx. Calories 700 per serving

Fake Lasagna Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb ground beef, uncooked
• 1/8 cup onion, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 (8 ounce) package pasta shells, cooked
• 3 cups mozzarella cheese
• 12 ounces cottage cheese
• 1 eggs
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoons parsley
• 15 ounces jars spaghetti sauce

Directions:

Prep Time: 20 min Total Time: 1 hr 30 min Yield: 4

1. In a skillet, cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink and onion is tender; drain. Sprinkle with salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine pasta, 3 cups of mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley and remaining pepper; stir gently. Pour into a greased 13x9x2-inch baking dish or shallow 3 quart baking dish.
3. Top with beef mixture and spaghetti sauce (dish will be VERY full).
4. Option: Freeze now by covering tightly with foil. Seal additional cheese in package attached to pans. Thaw all day in refrigerator and the proceed with following baking instructions.
5. To serve immediately, cover with foil and bake at 350ºF for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
6. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes longer or until the cheese is melted ad bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Approx. Calories 950 per serving

Spanish Rice with Beef

Ingredients:

• 3/4 lb ground beef
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn
• 1 cup water
• 1 (14 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups Minute Rice

 

Directions:
Prep Time: 5 min Total Time: 30 min Yield: 4

1. Brown meat, breaking the pieces and stirring (about 5 minutes).
2. Add corn, water, tomatoes and seasonings.
3. Bring to a boil and stir in rice.
4. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes.

 

Approx. Calories 410 per serving

The Italian Job

Ingredients:

• 500 g pkg Italian sausage
• 2 tsps garlic, chopped
• 8 oz can stewed tomatoes
• 1 roasted red pepper (packed in oil), chopped
• 1/2 green pepper, chopped
• 1/4 onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup spinach
• 1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 cup tomato sauce, herb flavoured
• 2 slices bacon

Directions:
Prep Time: 5 min  Total Time: 30 min   Yield: 2

1. Coat frying pan with half the oil and place entire package of sausage in frying pan, do not chop up until browned on both sides for 2 minutes each side, then chop to bite size pieces.
2. While frying sausage, bake bacon strips for about 5 minutes, so not very crisp, set aside.
3. Add to frying pan all the veggies, garlic and remaining oil and mix in with meat, simmer on low-medium heat for about 10 minutes.
4. Add tomato sauce and bacon, cut into pieces, stir in mixing well and simmer on low for another 10 minutes.
5. Serve over pasta of your choice, sprinkle with cheese of your choice.
6. Another option, stuff into extra large shell pastas.
7. Add ground turkey to lighten up in calories.

Approx. 350 calories

Salsa Sausage & Potato Bake

Ingredients:

• 1 500 g package of ground mild Italian sausage
• 12 red baby potatoes
• 1/4 cup red peppers, chopped
• 1/4 cup green peppers, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups fresh mushrooms
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:
Prep Time: 10 min  Total Time: 35 min  Yield: 3 Servings
1. Preheat oven to 375 C.
2. Place sausage in frying pan, and keeping in one whole piece, brown over low for about 1 minute, then flip whole piece to brown on other side for about 1 minute, then chop up into chunks the size of mini-meatballs, brown for another 3 minutes or so. Remove from heat.
3. While browning sausage, cut up potatoes into halves, microwave on high for about 3 minutes to pre-cook to reduce baking time.
4. Cut up peppers and tomatoes, add to salsa, then mix in with sausage.
5. In a 9x9 baking dish, place 1/2 of meat mixture on the bottom, place all potatoes on top of meat, then add mushrooms, top with remaining meat sauce and bake in oven for about 20 minutes.
6. Remove dish from oven, sprinkle cheese all over top and return to oven for another 5 minutes.

Approx. 500 Calories per serving

Beef and Broccoli Stir-fry

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb flank steak or liver, cut into thin 3-inch strips
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 4 tbsps soy sauce
• 2 tbsps dry sherry
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsps garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• 2 cups broccoli florets (can sub some or all with mushrooms)

Directions:

Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 25 min Yield: 4

 

1: Slice steak against the grain thinly into strips. Place steak in a bowl or sealable bag.
2: Combine soy sauce, dry sherry and cornstarch. Mix well, and pour mixture over steak strips. Marinate for 15 minutes to a half hour.
3: Heat the wok and add oil. Add minced garlic and ginger root and stir fry over medium-high heat for about 20 seconds. Add beef and stir fry stirring constantly for a couple minutes.
4: Add broccoli and stir fry for 5 minutes or until broccoli is cooked but still crispy and dark green.

 

Approx. Calories 350 per serving

Hearty Hamburger Soup

Ingredients:
2 lbs lean ground beef
1 white onion, peeled and diced
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, more to taste
1/2 teaspoon dry oregano, more to taste
1/2 teaspoon dry basil, more to taste
1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 (1 1/2 ounce) envelope onion soup mix
6 cups water, more to desired consistency
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
1 cup celery, sliced
1 cup fresh carrot, sliced
1 cup white potato, peeled and cut into small cubes
garlic salt, to taste
shredded parmesan cheese, to serve

Directions:
Prep Time: 10 min  Total Time: 55 min  Yield: 10
Brown ground beef and onion in a large pot. Drain if needed.
Add spices and onion soup mix.
Stir in water, tomato sauce and soy sauce. Bring to a boil; then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Add the rest of the ingredients up to the potatoes bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer uncovered until potatoes and carrots are tender about 30 minutes. (Add more water if needed).
Season to taste with garlic salt.
Serve with shredded parmesan cheese.

Approx. Calories 300 per serving

Root Beer Roasted Ribs (Boneless)

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs thick cut pork tenderloins
• 8 cups root beer (variation: orange soda)
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper
• 2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce (variation: raspberry chipotle sauce)

Directions:
Prep Time: 2.25 hrs Total Time: 5 hrs Yield: 4
1. Cut pork into 1/2 in by 2 in strips, and in a long shallow dish, cover the 'ribs' in root beer (about 7.5 cups) and salt mixture, cover and place in refridgerator for 2 hrs minimum.
2. Remove 'ribs' from brine, pat dry and season with pepper.
3. Wrap 'ribs' in foil, cook at 275F for 2-2.5 hours.
4. Remove 'ribs' and baste with mixture of BBQ sauce and 1/2 cup root beer. Broil for 2-5 minutes until sauce is cooked on and bubbly, flib 'ribs', brush on sauce and broil 2-5 minute.

Approx. Calories  600 per serving

Multi-Meatloaf/Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1lb ground beef
• 1lb ground lam
• ½ cup onion (chopped)
• 3 cups soft breadcrumbs
• 3 eggs
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
• 3 teaspoons salt

Directions:
Prep Time: 10 mins Total Time: 30 mins Yield: 6 pieces, 24 meatballs, 3 mini-loaves
1. Preheat oven at 400 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
3. Place all evenly into a 9x9 glass casserole dish and bake for 45 minutes.
Or
4. For mini meatloaves, bake in muffin tins.
Or
5. Form into meatballs, place into a 9x9 glass casserole dish and bake for 45 minutes.

Variations:
Italian version
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1/2 cup pasta sauce
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Fiesta version2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded

BBQ version

1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Manhattan version: 1 cup barbecue sauce

1 cup apricot pureed
Blended together and poured over meat before cooking.

Or Mix in 1 cup shredded cheese to meat mixture.

Or Mix in 1 (8 ounce) envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix or instead of spices.

Or Mix in 1 (120 g) package Stove Top stuffing mix instead of crackers and spices. 

Approx. Calories  350 per serving  (base recipe)

Arby's Roast Beef Sandwiches

Ingredients:
2 lbs roast
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 package onion soup mix
2 tbsp cup water
1/2 chopped onion
1 pinch garlic powder
salt and pepper
4 hamburger buns

Directions:
Prep Time: 10 min  Total Time: 8  hrs Yield: 4
1. Put roast in the crockpot.
2. Combine brown sugar,onion soup mix,water, chopped onion, garlic powder and salt and pepper.
3. Pour over roast.
4. Cook for 8-10 hours stirring occasionally.
5. Serve on buns.

Approx. Calories 600 per serving

Leader's Pie

Ingredients:

• 3 cups ground beef, cooked
• 2 potatoes, medium
• 1 (12 ounce) can spinach
• 2 cups mushrooms
• 1 (8 ounce) can cheese soup, condensed
• 3 cups spiral shaped pasta, cooked
• 2 cups cheese, shredded
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Directions:

Prep Time: 25 min  Total Time: 1.25 hrs Yield: 6
1. Cook noodles, and at the same time cook ground beef (1 lb makes about 3 cups). I used Recipe #31008 All Purpose Ground Meat Mix that I made and froze ahead of time.
2. Slice potatoes and layer on the bottom of a 9x9 casserole dish (microwavable) and put in the microwave for about 3 minutes on high to soften up first.
3. Mix cooked noodles, cheese soup and spinach together and pour over potato slices.
4. Layer mushrooms over mixture.
5. Pour ground beef mixture over noodle mixture (if not pre-cooked, season as cooking).
6. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes, add shredded cheese and bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and turning brown.

Approx. Calories 625 per serving

Cheeseburger Stuffed French Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 lb hamburger
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can tomato soup, undiluted
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 lb French bread
• 1 -2 tablespoon butter
• 8 ounces Velveeta cheese, sliced
• Burger toppings as you choose

Directions:
Prep Time: 10 mins Total Time: 40 mins Yield: 4-6

1. Cook hamburger and onion, draining grease, then add soup and spices, simmer 5-10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, slice top third off bread, hollow out bottom half of loaf, leaving a 3/4-inch shell, spread top slice of bread (cut side), with butter.
3. Fill with meat mixture, top with cheese slices, place on cookie sheet with buttered top next to it, put in oven at 350º; bake till heated through and broil till lightly browned.
4. Remove, add any burger toppings you prefer.
5. Put the top on, slice into wide slices for sandwiches, about 4-5 inches wide.

 Approx. Calories  775  per serving

Pepsi Pork Roast

Ingredients:

• 2lbs pork loin roast
• 1 (12 ounce) can Pepsi
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
• 0.5 (1 1/4 ounce) package onion soup mix
• options: substitute with beef roast, cola with 3/4 cup sherry

Directions:
Prep Time: 5 mins Total Time: 4.5 hrs Yield: 6

1. Place roast in crock pot.
2. Mix soup mix with soup.
3. Add cola to soup mixture and pour over roast.
4. Cook on high for 4-5 hours.
5. When done, remove roast and thicken juices with cornstarch for wonderful gravy.

 Approx. Calories  75  per serving