Carol’s Comfort Foods

Quick and Easy Meal! 

Yield: 4 Servings

INGREDIENTS

1 lb lean ground beef

½ cup ketchup

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1½ cups frozen peas and carrots

2 cups leftover mashed potatoes

PREPARATION

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the ground beef for 6-8 minutes, or until the meat is cooked through, stirring frequently to break up the meat.  Drain, if needed.  Add ketchup and Worcestershire sauce and stir well to combine.  Add peas and carrots and stire well to combine and defrost.

Place 1 cup of meat mixture into four large ramekins and top with about ½ cup mashed potatoes, spreading to cover the meat.  Place the ramekins on a baking sheet.  Bake for 10 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and then remove from oven.  Let cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

My version of the famous “Cincinnati Chili”

Yield:  6 Servings

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 ½ lb ground beef

½ cup yellow onion, finely chopped

1 – 1 ¾ ounce package chili seasoning mix

½ cup water

1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes, not drained

1 can (15 ounce) chili beans, not drained

½ lb favorite pasta, I recommend spaghetti or elbow

1 cup grated cheddar cheese, for garnish

½ cup chopped green onions, finely chopped for garnish

PREPARATION

Cook pasta, per instructions.  While pasta is cooking, in a large skillet heat oil and sauté ground beef and onions, until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are translucent.  Add in the garlic to the meat mixture and cook for about 3-4 minutes.  Stir in the chili seasoning mix, tomatoes, water and chili beans.  Bring mixture to a boil and then cover and simmer for about 20-25 minutes, until chili is thoroughly heated and some excess water has been absorbed.  Ladle over the hot pasta and garnish with grated cheddar cheese and chopped green onions.