Hamburger Steaks with Gravy

I just made this tonight for dinner. I was not sure if it would be good or totally tank but it was delicious! This dish is especially comforting on a cold 8 degree night like tonight.
* Recipe only makes four servings so you may want to double it



1 egg
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
1 envelope onion soup mix, divided
Dash pepper
1 lb. ground beef
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1-3/4 cups cold water
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Hot cooked mashed potatoes


In a large bowl, combine the egg, bread crumbs, 2 Tbsp. soup mix, and pepper. Mix with beef. Shape into four patties.


In a large skillet, cook patties over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side. Set aside and keep warm.


Combine the flour, water, Worchestershire sauce and remaining soup mix until blended; stir into skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 5 minutes or until thickened. Serve with patties and mashed potatoes.

Taco Pizza

My mom used to make this for me when I was younger. It is simple and so so so yummy. My husband Chris could not get enough of it when I made it the other night. To save money I just made my own crescent roll dough but the canned kind works great as well.

2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent rolls

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 cup sour cream

1 pound ground beef

1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning

1 (2.25 ounce) can sliced ripe olives, drained

1 medium tomato, chopped

3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded lettuce

Unroll crescent roll dough and place in an ungreased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Flatten dough to fit the pan, sealing seams and perforations. Bake at 375 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until light golden brown; cool. In a small bowl, blend cream cheese and sour cream with a wire whisk; spread over crust. Chill 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a skillet, brown beef; drain. Stir in taco seasoning. Add water according to package directions and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spread over cream cheese layer. Top with olives, tomato, cheeses and lettuce. Cut into serving-size pieces. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Pizza Pasta Casserole (Freezer Friendly)

Here is another gem from the Tast of Home cookbook. The best part? It makes two batches so you get two dinners for the labor of one! This is a really fun an easy dish to make when you are thinkin' pizza!

2 pounds ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

2 jars (28 ounces each) spaghetti sauce

1 package (16 ounces) spiral pasta, cooked and drained

4 cups (16 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

8 ounces sliced pepperoni

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and pasta.


Transfer to two greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dishes. Sprinkle with cheese. Arrange pepperoni over the top. Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months.


Bake the second casserole, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.


To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until heated through. 

Cranberry Turkey Loaf

While we are on the meatloaf subject, I thought I would share another one of my very favorite meatloaf recipes (from my Taste of Home cookbook.) If you are a cranberry fan, this recipe is for you! It only calls for a few ingredients but MmMm it is good stuff.

1/2 cup herb-seasoned stuffing mix, crushed

1 egg, lightly beaten

3/4 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce, divided

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 pound ground turkey

In a large bowl, combine the stuffing mix, egg, 1/4 cup cranberry sauce, salt and pepper. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well.


Pat into an ungreased 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pan. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 55-65 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165°.


Heat remaining cranberry sauce in a microwave on high for 1 minute or until heated through. Slice turkey loaf; serve with sauce. 

Italian Meatloaf

This recipe comes from a book I absolutely LOVE called, "Deceptively Delicious" by Jessica Seinfeld. It has simple secrets to hide those veggies that we don't always like to eat. I hope she will not mind me sharing one of her recipes . . . but this meatloaf is the best I have ever had. It's like gourmet!

Nonstick cooking spray
1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 onion, finely chopped
1 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 cp grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cupe carrot puree (optional)
1/4 cup ketchup
1 teasoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup tomato sauce
4 slices turkey bacon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, soak the bread crumbs in milk.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set it over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add the oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the celery and cook 3 to 4 minues longer. Scrape the mixture into the bowl with the breadcrumbs. Add the turkey, parmesan, carrot puree, ketchup, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.

Turn the mixture into the loaf pan and smooth the top. Spread tomato sauce over the meatloaf and lay the strips of bacon on top. Bake until the center of the meatloaf is no longer pink and the bacon begins to brown, 45 to 50 minutes. Cut into slices and serve.

Fudgy Brownies

Okay, so I know that this is a cooking blog but I could not resist. I made these brownies last sunday and they were little ooey-gooey bites of heaven. I just knew I had to share them!

Okay! Are you ready for this?

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3 tablespoons butter, softened

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.

Super Easy Chicken Lo Mein

Thinking 你想吃點中餐 tonight? This recipe is so easy, it is hard to even call it a recipe. I like to make it when I need something extra quick for dinner.


1 tablespoon oil-sesame or peanut oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce or teriyaki sauce
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 3-ounce packages chicken flavor ramen noodle soup
1 1-lb bag frozen mixed stir-fry vegetables
1/2 cup water


Season chicken with your favorite poultry rub. I like the all-purpose poultry rub right here. Slap those puppies either on your George Foreman Grill or cook them in a large skillet over medium high heat. When juices run clear, cut chicken into strips.

In a large pot, heat a small amount of oil and then cook vegetables, about 5 minutes. In the meantime, cook the noodles (without the flavoring packet) according to package directions. Drain.

Add soy sauce, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and one of the seasoning packets to water. Mix well. Pour over chicken and vegetables, add noodles and toss to mix.