Mexican Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:
1 pkg of soy beef (or regular beef for the meat-eaters)
1 package low-sodium taco seasoning
4 oz. cream cheese
14-16 jumbo pasta shells
1.5 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup monterey jack cheese
3 green onions
Sour cream

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a frying pan cook soy beef; add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions.  Add cream cheese, cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and cool completely.  While soy beef is cooking, cook the pasta shells according to directions; drain. Set shells out individually on cutting board/baking sheet so that they don’t stick together.

Pour salsa on bottom of 9×13 baking dish.  Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place shells in 9×13 pan open side up. Cover shells with taco sauce.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, add shredded cheese and bake for 10-15 more minutes, with the foil removed.  Top with any condiments you’d like (green onions, black olives, etc.) Serve with sour cream and/or more salsa.

Mac and Cheese Lasagna

Mac and Cheese Lasagna

• 2 (7.5 oz) pkgs. of Kraft Thick and Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
• 1 lb. soy beef (or regular beef for the meat-eaters)
• 1 1/2 cups of spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese

1. Prepare the macaroni and cheese according to the package directions. I prepare it using half the amount of butter and use fat free milk to reduce the fat.
2. While the macaroni cooks heat the spaghetti sauce and soy beef and stir to combine.
3. In a 9x 13 or 11 x 7 dish, spread half of the meat mixture to cover the bottom of the pan.  Follow with a layer of half of the macaroni and cheese.  Repeat the layers with the remaining meat mixture and mac and cheese.
4. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the layers and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Cowboy Casserole

** Looks Gross, Tastes Delicious!

Cowboy Casserole
adapted from a recipe at Taste of Home
1 1/2 pounds soy beef (or regular ground beef for the meat-eaters)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 package of frozen hash brown patties (8 total- I got mine at Trader Joes), thawed

Directions:


In a large skillet cook the onion until tender and translucent. Add the chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the beef and cook over medium heat for a few minutes (or until no longer pink. Drain the mixture if using real beef) and place into a large bowl and set aside.

In a small bowl combine the soup, milk and sour cream. Whisk until smooth. Add to hamburger mixture and stir to combine. Add 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Gently mix to combine.

Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. Pour the hamburger mixture in and then place the hash browns on top. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and bake at 350 for 25 - 30 minutes, or until golden brown and crunchy.

Taco Cupcakes

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef (obviously I use soy)
1 packet taco seasoning
2/3 cup water
1 can black beans, drained
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
36 wonton wrappers
your favorite taco toppings - salsa, cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, etc
cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375.

Brown the meat in a skillet.  Return the meat to the skillet; add the taco seasoning, water and black beans.  Mix and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until water is absorbed.

Spray 18 regular muffin pan cups with cooking spray.  Place one wonton wrapper in each muffin cup.  Divide half of the taco meat between muffin cups.  Sprinkle half of the cheese over the cupcakes.  Repeat layers - wonton, taco meat and cheese.  Bake at 375 for 20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.  Top with your favorite taco toppings.

Very American Cheeseburger Salad

Ingredients:

1 bag Very American Salad Mix 
1C Cherry Tomatoes 
1C Sliced Pickles 
1 packages of Soy Beef 
½ jar TJ’s Organic Ranch Dressing 
½ bag Diced Onion 
Cheddar Cheese, shredded 


Directions:

1) Brown the beef with the onion (and other spices if desired) until it is no longer pink. Drain & sprinkle cheddar cheese on top of the meat. 
2) Put the salad in a bowl with the pickles (sliced and diced) and tomatoes. 
3) Add the beef and dressing and toss together. Enjoy! 


Serves:  4


Calories:  463
Fat:  23
Protein:  40
Carbs:  27

Portobello Mushroom and Bell Pepper Sloppy Joes

3 Tbsp exra-virigin olive oil
1 each small green and red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and thinly sliced
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 pound portobello mushrooms, wiped clean, black gills scraped out and discarded, thinly sliced
1 cup tomato sauce
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
2 tsp chopped fresh oregano
1/2 tsp hot sauce
1 package of Yves soy beef
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns

DIRECTIONS

1.  Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add bell pepper and onion; cook, stirring, until softened- about 10 minutes.  Add the rest of the oil, garlic, mushrooms and soy beef; toss well.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are soft and liquid is absorbed- about 8-10 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

2.  Reduce heat to medium.  Add tomato sauce and paste, worcestershire sauce, oregano, hot sauce and 3/4 cup water; stir well.  Cook, stirring often, to thicken, about 10 minutes; season with salt and pepper to taste.

3.  Spoon mixture inside hamburger buns.  Serve immediately.

Serves:  4 (1 sandwich)