Spaghetti & Meatballs

For one 6-8 servings

MEAT SAUCE
1/2 pound lean ground beef
1/3 medium onion chopped
1/2 tsp garlic powder 28 oz can tomato sauce
6 ounce can tomato paste
3/4 cup water
3 to 4 basil leaves
1/2 cup sugar

MEATBALLS
1 pound lean ground beef
2 eggs
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs

Hot cooked spaghetti

In a 2 quart saucepan, brown 1/2 pound ground beef with onion & garlic. *I usually used minced garlic instead of the powder, and dried onions work just fine as well. Drain
Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste and water. Add basil and sugar; bring to a slow boil, stirring occasionally. *I added a bunch of shredded Zuchinni (from freezer), chopped fresh carrots and used some chopped garden tomatoes (also from the freezer) instead of some of the tomato sauce. Add what you like.

In a medium bowl, combine 1 pound ground beef, eggs and bread crumbs. *Add more crumbs if necessary to make mixture of shaping consistency. Shape into meatballs. Drop into boiling sauce. Cook 7 minutes without stirring. Slowly stir sauce and meatballs. Cook on a slow boil, covered for 1 1/2 hours. Serve over desired spaghetti, cooked as directed on package.

I usually double the recipe and freeze whatever we don't eat.

Mexi Beef Casserole

For one 6-8 serving

1 12-oz package egg noodles
1 lb ground beef
1/2 c onion, chopped
1 can corn, drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can black beans, drained & rinsed
1/2 c sliced black olives (optional)
1 c salsa
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 c shredded cheese

Boil water for noodles. Brown hamburger with onion. Mix corn, tomatoes, beans, olives, salsa and taco seasoning. Mix all together and cover with cheese. Put in 9x13 pan, bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes

For six 6-8 servings

6 12-oz packages egg noodles
6 lb ground beef
2 onions, chopped
1 #10 can corn, drained
1 #10 can diced tomatoes
5 cans black beans, drained & rinsed
3 cans olives, sliced (optional)
1 - 66oz jar of salsa (Kirkland brand is that size)
1/2 c taco seasoning
6 c shredded cheese

Start cooking noodles, 1 package at a time. Brown hamburger & onion. Mix everything else together in a big bowl. Keep boiling noodles and putting in pans, 1 bag per pan, adding the bean/corn mixture and covering with cheese. Cover with foil, freeze for 1-2 months. When it's time to cook it, thaw it completely (take out the night before) and bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes.

Baked Spaghetti

Ingredients:
8 oz (dry) spaghetti, cooked and drained
1 lb hamburger or bulk mild Italian sausage
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 zucchini, coarsely chopped (optional)
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
1 14.5 can stewed tomatoes, do not drain
16 oz ketchup
3 T brown sugar (optional)
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions:
Brown hamburger with onion, bell pepper, zucchini and celery. Salt and pepper to taste. Add stewed tomatoes (I chop mine up before adding), ketchup, spaghetti and sugar, combine well. Pour into 13x9 inch baking pan. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.