I’ve recently been craving some spicier meals, and apparently that’s par for the course when attempting to switch to healthier eating. I don’t know how far these go for being healthier (probably not at all), but for that one day a week when I can splurge, so to speak, they’re just what I’m looking for.

Mixed Veg & Beef Goulash

Ingredients

1.5 lbs ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 lg onion, chopped
1/2 each green, yellow & red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 lb sliced white button mushrooms (fresh)
1 lg can diced tomatoes
1 lg can crushed tomatoes
1 tsp diced garlic
1/8 tsp caraway seed
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp paprika
dash red pepper flakes (optional)
3 c cooked elbow macaroni

Directions

Brown the meat, and drain all grease and liquid, set aside. In the same pan, melt the butter or use olive oil, then slowly brown the vegetables and mushrooms, just until slightly softened. Add the tomatoes, both diced and crushed, and all spices & seasonings. Cook until heated through.

For the oven: generously spray a large heavy casserole and mix all ingredients together and bake for one hour at 350*.

For crock pot: generously spray insert, mix all but the pasta and cook on low for three-four hours. Serve over cooked macaroni.

Taco Pie

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 pkg taco seasoning (or 3 tbsp homemade seasoning mix)
1 1/2 can diced tomatoes
1/3 c water
6 small corn tortillas
1 c shredded cheddar cheese

Garnishes:
sour cream
hot sauce
jalapenos
chopped green peppers
chopped lettuce

Directions

Brown the meat with the onions and seasonings until cooked through and crumbled, then drain all grease and liquid from the pan. Add the tomatoes and water, simmer for ten minutes, stirring occasionally.

Spray a round casserole dish (6 cup – 1 1/2 l size). Spread a few spoonfuls of the meat mix on the bottom of the dish, then layer with 3 tortillas. Layer another cup or so of the meat mixture, a handful of cheese shreds, then the last 3 tortillas. Top with remaining meat mixture, cover and bake at 350* for 20 minutes, then uncover and top with the last of the cheese and return to oven, checking every five minutes until the cheese has melted well. Remove from oven, let stand to set for ten minutes. Slice into six, and serve with garnishes.

Enjoy!
<3 JL