Beefy Macaroni & Cheese

Ingredients

14.5 oz. package Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
½ cup fat free milk
14.5 oz. can petite cut diced tomatoes no salt added
1-1/4 cups tomato basil spaghetti sauce
1 pound lean ground beef
½ tsp. minced garlic
1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare macaroni and cheese dinner according to package directions for lighter prep using fat free milk and 4 Tbsp. butter as above. Set aside. Meanwhile, sauté beef and garlic in non-stick skillet until browned. Remove from pan. Mix together diced tomatoes with juice and spaghetti sauce to make 3 cups total.

In a greased 9-inch square baking dish, layer the macaroni mixture, sauce, meat, and mozzarella cheese. Bake until browned and heated through, about 20 minutes. Serves 6 to 8.

Honey Barbecue Meatloaf

Ingredients

1½ pounds lean ground beef
½ cup plain bread crumbs
3/4 cup honey barbecue sauce
1 egg, beaten

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, ½ cup sauce, bread crumbs, and beaten egg. Put into greased loaf pan. Spread remaining sauce on top. Bake for 1 hour. Remove from heat, cool for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.

Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients

2 lb. prepared garlic mashed potatoes
8 oz. sliced mushrooms
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 to 1-1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 Tbsp. chopped garlic
2 Tbsp. flour
12 oz. can Heinz fat-free beef gravy or any leftover gravy
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
½ tsp. dried marjoram
14-1/2 oz. can peas and carrots, drained
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Microwave potatoes as directed but omit adding milk or butter. In heavy large skillet, sauté mushrooms in oil and remove when wilted. Add beef, onion, and garlic to same skillet and cook on medium high heat until beef is browned. Sprinkle flour over mixture and stir. Add mushrooms, gravy, parsley, marjoram, peas and carrots, and Worcestershire sauce.

Simmer until heated through. Transfer beef mixture into a greased 9-inch square baking dish. Spoon mashed potatoes over beef layer. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until bubbly. Serves 4 to 6.

Swedish Meatballs

Ingredients

1-1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 egg, beaten
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 cup chopped onions, divided
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
12 oz. bottle chili sauce
18 oz. jar grape jelly
15 oz. can tomato sauce
1/4 cup sweet Marsala wine

Directions

Make meatballs: Mix ground beef with beaten egg, garlic powder, ½ cup chopped onions, and bread crumbs. Form into small balls. Set aside. (Or use frozen turkey meatballs instead of making them from scratch).

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, blend together chili sauce, grape jelly, and tomato sauce until jelly is melted. Toss in remaining onions and add wine. When mixture is bubbly, add meatballs to pot. Stir gently to coat with sauce.

Cover and reduce heat to simmer. Periodically lift lid, being careful of steam, and stir. Cook for 1 hour on low heat (or ½ hour if using frozen meatballs). Serve over cooked rice as an entrée or by itself as a party appetizer. Note: If you have extra sauce, freeze it and use as gravy in the Shepherd’s Pie recipe.