Cheesy Volcano Meatball Sandwich

This is a great recipe I am going to try for the Super Bowl this Sunday.  The Super Bowl, to me, is all about great food, great friends, and great food....oh, and I guess great football, too!  This is food and fun all in one!  It's a recipe the kids can help with, too!  (They'll love pushing the cheese cubes into the meatballs!)

Ingredients:
1 lb. lean ground beef
6 Ritz crackers, finely crushed
1/4 C parmesan cheese
3/4 C spaghetti sauce, divided
12 cheddar cheese cubes
hot dog buns, split

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 400*F.  Mix meat, cracker crumbs, parmesan cheese, and 1/4 cup of the spaghetti sauce in a bowl.  Shape into 12 meatballs, using about 2 Tbsp. meat mixture for each.
2.  Place 2 inches apart in shallow baking pan sprayed with cooking spray.  Press 1 cheese cube deeply into the center of each meatball.
3.  Bake 14 minutes or until meatballs are cooked through.  Meanwhile, microwave remaining 1/2 cup spaghetti sauce in microwaveable bowl on HIGH for 30 seconds.
4.  Spoon sauce evenly onto hotdog buns.  Fill each with 3 meatballs.

Makes 4 servings, 1 sandwich each.

Italian Broccoli & Pasta

Italian Broccoli and Pasta


Servings:  4
Cost per Serving:  $0.88
Time:  Preparation - 10 minutes, Cooking - 15 minutes

Ingredients:
2 C. fettucini noodles
3 Tbsp. chopped scallions
2 C. broccoli florets
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 can (14.5 oz.) stewed tomatoes
2 tsp. grated parmesan cheese

Directions:


1.  Cook noodles according to package directions.
2. Spray a skillet with non-stick cooking spray and saute scallions and broccoli for 3 minutes over medium heat.
3.  Add the thyme, oregano, pepper, and stewed tomatoes, and simmer until heated through.
4.  Spoon vegetable mixture over noodles and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.  Serve.

Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Easy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

These are so good, they taste just like ones ordered in a restaurant.  :)  


Ingredients (serves 4-5):
6-8 russet potatoes (depending on size)
1 whole garlic bulb
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 C. sour cream
2 Tbsp. butter
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
fresh chives

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375*.  Peel potatoes and cut into even-size pieces.  Place in a large pot of lightly salted water.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until cooked through, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, separate garlic cloves, but do not peel them.  Place in a bowl, add olive oil adn toss to coat.  Place on baking sheet and roast in oven until softened, about 10 minutes.  Allow to cool slightly.

Drain potatoes and return to pot.  Mash slightly.  Add sour cream and butter.  Quickly squeeze pulp from garlic cloves into pot.  Add salt and black pepper.

Mash potatoes until combined and smooth.  Transfer to a serving bowl.  Cut chives into small pieces.  Sprinkle over mashed potatoes in bowl.  Serve.

(This recipe is taken from Great American Recipes.)