Crockpot Cheesy Penne
(Jessica) ~ BBC Board

1 lb sweet Italian sausage
1 ~ 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 ~ 14-oz can diced tomatoes
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic powdersalt & pepper
1/4 cup veggie or olive oil
2 tsp granulated sugar
1/2-3/4 lb penne pasta
1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack
Parmesan cheese

Cook sausage in frying pan on medium heat until browned & crumbly. Drain well. OR Cook sausage whole in casings; remove and dry, then cut into halved circles.

Place in crock pot. Add sauce & diced tomatoes. Add oregano, garlic powder, salt & pepper, oil, sugar & stir well. Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-6 hours. Salt large pot of water & cook 1/2-3/4 lb of penne 4-5 minutes less than directions on box call for (about 7 or 8 minutes). Add penne & stir well.

Top with 1 cup shredded cheese. Continue to cook on high for 15-20 minutes or until pasta is tender & heated & cheese has melted. Serve w/ Parmesan cheese

*OP’s notes: I’ve used a 9 oz bag of tortellini in this recipe too. You can just add the tortellini without pre-cooking it at all.

-->Sandy-->’s Notes for Stovetop Preparation: Brown the meat in a large skillet, add sauce, tomatoes, oregano, garlic powder, salt & pepper, oil, sugar & stir well. Simmer on low heat for at least an hour to allow flavors to meld. Add the cooked pasta and cheese, serve.

Almost Stuffed Peppers

1 pound ground beef
2 cups water
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 large green pepper, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 3/4 cups uncooked instant rice

In a large skillet, brown beef; drain. Add water, tomatoes, green pepper, onion and seasonings; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender (or if using frozen vegetables, skip to the next step). Stir in rice; cover and remove from the heat. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir well and serve.

** I also add a can of tomato sauce at the end

Easy Pleasing Meatloaf

Prep Time: 10 min Total Time: 1 hr 25 min Makes: 8 servings

2 lb. lean ground beef
1 pkg. (6 oz.) STOVE TOP Stuffing Mix for Chicken
1 cup water
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce, divided

PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Mix all ingredients except 1/4 cup of the barbecue sauce. SHAPE meat mixture into oval loaf in 13x9-inch baking dish; top with remaining 1/4 cup barbecue sauce.

BAKE 1 hour or until cooked through (160ºF).

LIPTON ONION BURGERS

2 envelopes Lipton® Recipe Secrets® Beefy Onion Soup Mix
2 lbs. ground beef
1/2 cup water

1. In large bowl, combine all ingredients; shape into 8 patties.
2. Grill or broil until done.

Serves: 8
Preparation Time: 10 Minute(s)
Cook Time: 12 Minute(s)

Pulled Pork Proof!

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My friend Cheryl and I were talking last night and she mentioned that she had noticed I had swapped my Tuesday and Thursday meal plans this week. It was just going to work out better for me swapping them so I went into my Blog and swapped them out thinking that nobody would notice ~ apparently not!!

She said that she now wanted proof that I was preparing Wednesday's meal. So Cheryl ~ here it is!!

This is my first stab at Pulled Pork Sandwiches. I combined a few recipes that I found on-line. I took a 2 lb pork loin (hopefully that will be enough!), added a can of beef broth, most of a bottle of barbeque sauce and then sprinkled some minced onions on top. It will cook most of the day while I'm at work and then the house smells wonderful when I get home from work!

I'll let you know how it tasted.

Pork Chops with Green Onion Sauce

4 pork chops
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup cornstarch

Marinade
1 teaspoon soy sauce
3/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons wine

Green Onion Sauce
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/8 teaspoon chili oil (optional)

Combine ingredients for green onion sauce and set aside.

Trim excess fat from pork chops. Pound and marinate 30 minutes. Lightly coat each chop with cornstarch. Let stand 5 minutes.

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in skillet over medium heat. Shake off excess starch from chops and brown in hot skillet for 3 to 3 1/2 minutes on each side. Pour Green Onion Sauce over pork chops and reduce heat. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Serve hot.