Cheesy Vegetable and Meat Casserole
Ingredients:
- 1 can of carrots, drained
- 1 can of mixed vegetables, drained
- 1 lb ground beef (or pulled pork)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 cup milk (or broth, optional for creaminess)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for topping
Directions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef (or pulled pork) and cook until browned. If using ground beef, drain excess fat.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked meat, drained carrots, mixed vegetables, 1.5 cups of cheddar cheese, and milk (or broth). Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into a greased casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
- Top with Cheese and Breadcrumbs: Sprinkle the remaining 0.5 cup of cheddar cheese on top. If desired, add breadcrumbs or crushed crackers for extra crunch.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Serve: Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your hearty casserole!
Beef and Pea Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 can of peas, drained
- 1 can of vegetable soup
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups instant potatoes (prepared according to package instructions)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: shredded cheese for topping
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Mix in Vegetables: Stir in the drained peas and the can of vegetable soup. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
- Prepare Instant Potatoes: While the beef mixture simmers, prepare the instant potatoes according to the package instructions.
- Assemble the Pie: In a baking dish, spread the beef and vegetable mixture evenly. Top with the prepared instant potatoes, spreading them out to cover the meat mixture completely. If desired, sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden and heated through.
- Serve: Let it cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your hearty shepherd’s pie!