Cheese Stuffed Meatballs and Spaghetti

This is one of our family's favorite meals. The girls usually fight over the last meatball. They love getting to the middle and finding yummy, oozing cheese. I double this recipe and we enjoy leftover the next night.

1 lbs. ground beef
3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. Italian bread crumbs
1 clove garlic
1 egg
1/2 block of mozzarella cheese, cubed
Large jar of spaghetti sauce
Spaghetti

Mix ground beef, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, garlic and egg just until blended. Take one cube of mozzarella cheese and form a meatball around it. Make sure none of the cheese is poking through. Add raw meatballs to a large saucepan, cover with sauce and let simmer for an hour or two. Stir about every 15 minutes or so to keep the meatballs from sticking. Letting the meatballs cook in the sauce makes for a wonderfully, moist meatball and delicious sauce that tastes homemade. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Enjoy!

Makes: 4 servings

Mexican Spaghetti

This recipe is adapted from the Betty Crooker cookbook. It is a nice twist on a family-favorite.

1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can diced tomatoes (I like the kind with chilies in them for this recipe)
1 bunch fresh cilantro
1 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
4 - 6 oz. spaghetti

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. In a large saucepan, brown ground beef; drain. Add taco seasoning, corn and tomatoes, not draining any of the canned items. Simmer for 5 - 10 minutes. Add cooked pasta and stir. Serve topped with fresh cilantro (do not leave this out - it makes this dish!) and cheese.

Sloppy Joes

This Sloppy Joe recipe is so yummy and I always have the ingredients for it, so it is a great meal when your pantry is sparse. I found it in our MOPS cookbook from my friend Kristine. I usually make a half recipe for our family, but we love it so much that other times I make the full recipe and we have leftovers!

2 lbs. ground beef
1 1/2 c. ketchup
1/3 onions, diced (I omit this)
1/2 Tbsp. mustard
2 Tbsp. vinegar
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
3/4 tsp. salt

Brown ground beef and drain. Mix remaining ingredients into meat and simmer for about an hour. Serve on a bun with a slice of cheese.

Crockpot Taco Chili

This recipe was adapted from Lori's blog, NyeSistas Recipes. It has become a family favorite and is super easy to make. I usually fix some simple Cheese Quesadilla to go with it.

2 lbs. ground beef, browned and drained
1 lg. can diced petite tomatoes, undrained
4 oz. green chilies
2 cans whole kernel corn, undrained
2 pkgs. taco seasoning
2 Tbsp. cumin
1 tsp. seasoning salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and corn chips to use for toppings

Add all of the ingredients into the crock pot, stir and cook on low for 4-6 hours.