One Pot Spaghetti

Image via WikipediaYou make this recipe in one 3 Quart pot on top of the stove.  No other pans to dirty. Best of all it's fast and easy.
Enjoy
The Old Guy

One Pot Spaghetti

1-1/2 pounds ground beef (could use a 1 pound package)
1 small onion, chopped, or 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic, pressed, or finely minced
1-1/2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon chili powder (may omit if desired)
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2-1/2 cups tomato juice
3-1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons (more or less) brown sugar
1 (8 ounce) package spaghetti (uncooked)

In a 3quart pot on top of the stove, add ground beef and brown until crumbly; drain.
Add minced onion, salt, garlic, oregano and chili powder and stir well.
Add tomato paste, tomato juice, water and brown sugar.  Stir well to combine.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes.  Add uncooked spaghetti.  Stir, and cook uncovered, until spaghetti is tender and sauce is thick (about 20 minutes).  Stir occassionally during cooking to be sure spaghetti is not sticking together.  Add a little more water or tomato juice if necessary.
Serve with a salad and garlic bread for a complete and easy Italian meal.  Sprinkle spaghetti with grated parmesan cheese if desired.    

Runza (sometimes called Bierocks)

Image via WikipediaKnow how to tell if a recipe is good as you look through your cookbooks or recipe cards?  Look for the ones that are the most soiled, and covered with water spots and food stains.
The following recipe fits all of the above.  Really stained, and really good tasting. 
This is a casserole version of the individual Runzas.  Economical, quick, easy, and tasty.
Enjoy.
The OldGuy

Runza (Casserole version)

2 packages crescent rolls
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 medium head of Cabbage, chopped
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup,  undiluted
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cook cabbage and onion in oil in a large frying pan until cabbage is tender.  Brown ground beef; drain and add to cabbage and onion.  Unroll 1 package of crescent rolls in the bottom of a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish and seal perforations. Place beef mixture over crescent roll dough and spread evenly. Pat down slightly, and spread with Cream of Mushroom soup and sprinkle with cheese.  Unroll 2nd package of crescent rolls, seal perforations, and place on top of cheese.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until top is golden brown.
Left-overs freeze well.


  

Lazy Cabbage Casserole

Image via WikipediaI learned how to cook from my Mom "long distance".  Both Mom and Dad worked.  When I got home from school, I would call Mom, and she would tell me what's for dinner and how to prepare it.
This is one of my "over the phone" recipes.  So easy even a 12 year old could make it, and it is really tasty.
Enjoy.
The Old Guy

Lazy Cabbage Casserole (Inside Out Cabbage Rolls)

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1-can condensed Tomato Soup
1 soup can water
3 tablespoons uncooked regular rice (could use Minute Rice)
2 cups chopped cabbage
2-3 tablespoons brown sugar (taste the sauce, you may want to add alittle more brown sugar)
a squirt of lemon juice
a splash of white vinagar
Prehear oven to 350 degrees.  Generously butter a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish (could use cooking spray).  Place chopped cabbage in the baking dish and set aside.
In a large skillet, lightly brown the ground beef and onion; drain well.  Add uncooked rice, and all remaining ingredients. Mix well and simmer for 10minutes.
Pour ground beef mixture over chopped cabbage.
DO NOT STIR.

Cover with allumium foil and bake 1-1/2 hours, or until cabbage and rice are tender.
Tastes like stuffed cabbage only without all the work.

Strawberry Shortcut Cake

Image via WikipediaI seem to be on a dessert kick lately.  By the way, did you know that a cake that has been cut results in calorie leakage?  Lol.
This recipe comes from an old church cookbook from my collection.  It is really good.
Tried and True as TOH puts it.
Enjoy.
The Old Guy

Strawberry Shortcut Cake
1 cup miniature marshmallows
2 cups (10 oz. pkg.) frozen strawberries, sliced, in syrup, thawed completely
1 (3 oz) package Strawberry Jello
2-1/4 cups all purpose flour
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup solid shortening
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 large eggs

Generously grease the the bottom only of a 13-inch x 9-inch baking pan.  Thoroughly combine completely the strawberries in syrup with dry gelatin; set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients, except the marshmallows.  Place the marshmallows in an even layer in bottom of cake pan.  Pour batter evenly over marshmallows.  Spoon strawberry mixture evenly over the batter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.
When you remove from the oven you will see that the strawberries have sunk to the bottom, the cake is in the middle, and the marshmallows are on top.  WOW! It's Magic!

Chocolate Eclair Cake

Image via WikipediaThis recipe has been around for a long time.  Some people call it "Robert Redford", some call it "BTS Cake" (Better Than Sex"), I call it one of my favorites.
Enjoy
The Old Guy

Chocolate Eclair Cake
2 (3 ounce) boxes French Vanilla or Vanilla Instant Pudding
3 cups milk
1 (9 ounce) Cool Whip, thawed
Graham Crackers
1 can chocolate Ready-to-use frosting

Whip pudding mix and milk until thick; then fold in CoolWhip. Line the bottom of a 9-inch x 13-inch cake pan with whole Graham Crackers, breaking to fit if needed.  Add 1/2 pudding mixture.  Repeat another layer of whole Graham Crackers on top.  Add the rest of the pudding mixture.  Top with one more layer of whole Graham Crackers.  Frost with the chocolate ready-to-use frosting.  Place in refrigerator for 24 hours before serving.
Slice into squares.  (After you get the first piece out it is a breeze) (That first piece is always mine anyway.)
Yummmmmmmmm!

Chicken Fiesta

Image via WikipediaI wrote a food column for my local newspaper for 6 years.  This was one of the recipes I received the most positive comments on.  It is fast and easy.
Enjoy
The Old Guy

Chicken Fiesta

1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 can (10 3/4 ounce) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
2 small tomatoes, chopped (could use canned)
1/3 cup picante sauce
1 medium green pepper, chopped (omit if you don't have any)
1 small onion, chopped
2-3 teaspoons chili powder
12 corn tortillas (6 inches), cut into 1-inch strips
3 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Colby cheese

In a largebowl, combine soups, tomatoes, picante sauce, green peppers, onion,
and chili powder.  In a greased 13-inch x 9-inch baking dish,layer half the tortilla strips, chicken, soup mixture and cheese.  Repeat layers.
Cover and bake at 350 degrees for40-50 minutes or until bubbly.
Will serve 6-8