As food prices increase and busy families try to save money at the grocery store, there is an increased need for tasty, easy meals that are affordable. So, what can you do with a pound of ground beef that is healthy for your family, and that they will enjoy?

Well, we have several favorites at our house that are quick and easy. Some can even be doubled and frozen for later.

Beef and Corn Casserole:

1 lb ground beef 2 cloves finely minced garlic 1 lb cottage cheese small onion

2 cans or one small package of frozen corn 1 15 oz can tomato sauce cinnamon

Set the cottage cheese in a collander to drain thoroughly. Meanwhile, brown ground beef, onion, and garlic in skillet. After draining off excess grease, add tomato sauce and cinnamon to taste (about 2 tsp.). Place corn in bottom of 13 x 9 casserole. Add cottage cheese to the top of the corn. Then place ground beef sauce on top. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes or until heated through. You can also place grated chedder on top the last few minutes in the oven. (This can be frozen, thawed in the fridge, and baked as normal)

Easy Shepard's Pie:

Instant mashed potato flakes 1 lb ground beef 2 cans or one small package frozen green beans

1 can cream of mushroom soup small onion 1 clove minced garlic 1/4 cup milk milk and butter

Brown ground beef, onion, and garlic. Mix in soup and milk and heat through. Place this mixture in the bottom of a 13 x 9 casserole. Layer green beans on top of meat mixture. Cook 3 cups of mashed potatos, following directions on box. Add pepper and salt to taste. Place potatoes on top of green beans. Cover and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Mexican Layered Casserole

1 lb ground beef 1 package corn tortillas 1 can Rotel tomatoes (get mild if you have young children)

2 cans cream of celery or cream of chicken soup 1 tsp cumin 2 tsp chili powder medium onion

medium bell pepper 2 to 4 cups grated cheddar or colby jack cheese

Cook ground beef, onion, and bell pepper in skillet. Drain off grease. Add spices, rotel tomatoes and soup. Heat thoroughly. Layer meat mixture, cheese, and corn tortillas in 13 x 9 casserole dish. (If you want to use lots of cheese, layer extra cheese also). Top with cheese. Cover and bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes. Take the cover off for the last 5 minutes. (This one can also be frozen, thawed in fridge, and cooked as normal)

Chinese Wrap Ups (this is a favorite with kids and extremely healthy)

flour tortillas 1 lb ground beef soy sauce or teryaki sauce ginger powder 1 package unseasoned broccoli slaw veggies (found prepackaged in the produce dept) corn starch

Cook the ground beef. Add ginger and soy sauce/teryaki sauce to taste. Add slaw and put lid on skillet or wok to wilt. My family likes it just barely cooked, others will prefer it to cook softer. Mix 1/2 tsp corn starch with 1 tsp soy sauce to use to thicken the sauce. Pour the thickener into the sauce and stir well until sauce is thickened. Then place filling in tortillas. Roll up and serve like burritos. This is also good with stir fried rice served in the wrap up with the meat/slaw mixture. This is fast and easy to do on busy nights before ball games!
Cheeseburger Pie
1 lb ground beef 2 to 3 cups grated cheese (favorite variety) 1 package prepared pie crusts
pickle or sweet relish to taste 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1/2 can tomato soup (or 1/4 c ketchup) salt and pepper to taste
Brown beef and onion until beef is completely cooked. Drain and add tomato soup (or ketchup). Add salt and pepper to taste. Place bottom crust in pie pan or 13 x 9 casserole. Place meat mixture in crust. Add cheese (and relish if desired). Add top crust. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

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