Tag Archives: beef

Transform your dinner routine with a dish that blends the vibrant flavors of tacos into a comforting pasta creation. This Taco Pasta recipe brings together tender pasta shells, savory ground beef, and a rich, cheesy sauce that will delight your taste buds. It’s a perfect fusion of Mexican-inspired spices and classic pasta comfort, all in one skillet. Whether you’re planning a cozy family dinner or hosting a casual gathering with friends, this Taco Pasta is sure to be a hit. Let’s dive into the recipe and discover how easy it is to bring a touch of Tex-Mex flair to your table tonight! The recipe can be found here. Start by preparing all the ingredients; chop the onion and cilantro, mince the garlic, drain the olives, and set everything aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the noodles according to package instructions, until al dente.  … Continue reading

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I recently made a batch of Creamy Beef and Shells and was told “I’d eat this again” and “I could lick the bowl” in the same sitting so I’ll take that as a win!  If you’ve never had Creamy Beef and Shells, it’s essentially a twist on classic macaroni and cheese.  It has lots of flavor and is a very hearty, comfort food, that is perfect for picky eaters because it will satisfy any taste buds.  There really isn’t a lot to this dish and you probably have most of the ingredients on hand already so it’s a great pantry meal. The recipe can be found here. Start by heating 2 Tbsp olive oil in a large skillet or deep pot over medium heat.  Add the beef and cook until completely cooked through, crumbling as it cooks, about 6-7 minutes.  Add the salt, pepper, and onion powder and stir to … Continue reading

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The weather has been so weird lately; it is still winter?  Did spring come early?  Who knows!  But winter is a time for chili so regardless of the outside temps, I was going to make chili.  I ended up with a Chili Cornbread Skillet.  It might look and sound complicated but it’s actually quite easy to make and doesn’t need to cook in a slow cooker all day.  It a delicious comfort food that packs a little heat (but isn’t too spicy) and has great texture.  There is a good ratio of meat to beans to tomatoes in each bite too, with neither ingredient overpowering another.  And the cornbread topping is a nice addition if I do say so myself.  It’s hefty and makes the dish extra savory since the cornbread is part of the dish vs being served on the side. The recipe can be found here. Start by making the chili.  You’ll want to use a Dutch oven or large … Continue reading

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Philly Cheesesteak Pasta is a great one-pot weeknight meal the whole family will love!  It tastes just like a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich and if you aren’t familiar, it’s thin sliced beef with sautéed onions and peppers on a hoagie that’s smothered with cheese.  In this case, the bun is being replaced by noodles.  It’s cheesy, melty, and the perfect comfort food. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees F and prepare your ingredients – slice the onion and bell pepper and mince the garlic. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and 1 tsp of salt and sauté for about 5 minutes or until the onions are soft and starting to brown.  Add the bell pepper and cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the peppers start to soften.  Add the garlic and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium.  Add the ground beef, … Continue reading

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Lettuce wraps are something I like to make when I want an easy meal, a delicious meal, a nutritious meal, and something light.  Life gets in the way, and you get busy, or you have a long day at work and don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.  That’s where these lettuce wraps come in!  They are fast to make and taste great – and you only need about 15 minutes to prepare them.  The meat is a lovely combination of sweet and savory, the lettuce adds a nice crunch to each bite and the rice balances everything out.  From what I understand, Korean beef is typically a thin sliced steak, but I’m opting for ground beef (and ground chicken).  It’s cheaper and almost everyone knows how to prepare it so anyone can whip up this meal 😊 I do have 2 variations of the same recipe, one with beef and one with … Continue reading

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If you aren’t familiar with Frito Pie, it’s a popular dish in the Midwest and southern states and consists of chili, cheese, and corn chip (aka Fritos).  However, it’s not actually pie but rather a pile of Fritos with chili and other toppings on top.  It’s sometimes served directly from the bag of Fritos (think walking tacos) where the chili and toppings are added to the bag.  Alternatively, you can pour the Fritos in a bowl or on a plate and add your chili and toppings.  It’s comfort food at its finest and is packed with Tex-Mex flavors.  I’ve made both a chicken and beef version and want to share the recipes with you today. Beef Frito Pie Chicken Frito Pie Both recipes are made the exact same way, but you choose if you want to use ground beef or ground chicken.  Let’s walk through how to make it: Start by preparing your ingredients – chop … Continue reading

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It seems like the entire country has been battling freezing temperatures and horrible winter weather lately and MN has been no exception.  On a cold day (freezing, subzero, arctic, or however you want to describe the weather we’ve had recently) something warm and cozy is all I want.  Call it “winter warmer” food if you will.  A hearty and flavorful Guinness Beef Stew is what I ultimately ended up making.  Let me warn you, this recipe is not hard to make at all, but it does take a long time to make (aka it simmers for 2 hours) so you will need to plan ahead when making this stew. It’s great for a “meat and potatoes” type of person because that’s exactly what it is.  Plenty of beef chuck, potatoes, and carrots that are simmered in a Guinness infused broth.  The meat and broth are perfectly seasoned, the meat is tender and falls apart in your … Continue reading

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Garlic Butter Steak Bites are thick cuts of New York Strip that are cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce.  The steak is juicy and tender, buttery, and slightly pink in the center.  It’s a lot of flavor pack into such a small bite!  The steak is cooked in the butter and the garlic is added later, for the flavor to infuse into each bite.  There is a good amount of garlic in my opinion but it’s not overpowering.  These can be served as an appetizer or main course with a side dish or two. The recipe can be found here. Start by mincing the garlic, chop the parsley, and cut the steak into 1-inch bites.  You can trim some of the fat off the steak but don’t take too much as it helps the steak stay flavorful, tender, and juicy. Melt 1 stick of butter in a large skillet … Continue reading

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I’ve recently been into open faced sandwiches.  I like that you can use any kind of bread and jazz it up with toppings of your choice.  I decided to make Sloppy Joes one night and made 2 different versions, one beef and one chicken.  Andrew ate the beef version and thought it was incredible and I ate the chicken version and thought it was also incredible.  The meat soaked up the sauce making it very flavorful and tender, the cheese on top was perfectly melted and help hold the sandwiches together, and the garlic Texas Toast made for a delightful, crusty base.    It’s a hearty meal that will satisfy any craving. The recipes can be found here: Open Faced Sloppy Joe Open Faced Chicken Sloppy Joe   Both recipes are identical, and you use either ground beef or ground chicken.  You can also use ground turkey if you prefer.  Let’s walk through how to make them. Preheat … Continue reading

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Classic Cowboy Casserole is the ultimate comfort food this time of year.  If you’re from the Midwest, you know casserole season is upon us.  Temps are dropping, there is a chill in the air, and you want something hearty and filling for dinner.  That’s where my Classic Cowboy Casserole comes in 😊 It’s hearty, cheesy, has a little bit of spice, and is packed with different flavors and textures.  It’s a wonderful Tex-Mex recipe. The recipe can be found here. Start by preparing the ingredients; thaw the corn, chop the onion, mince the garlic, drain, and rinse the black beans, and slice the green onion.  All ingredients can be set aside until ready to use. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and spray a 9×13 baking pan with cooking spray. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper.  Cook until completely cooked through, crumbing as you cook, for about … Continue reading

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