A sort of homemade recipe : )

Does your husband (or you) not like the traditional "Hamburger Helper"? I know they are probably one of the least healthy foods out there, but lets face it...they are a quick and easy dinner! The only problem??? My husband thinks they ALL taste the same and refuses to eat any of the varieties. So I came up with a sort of "Homemade Hamburger Helper". I have several different recipes that I use and as I was making one of them tonight I thought I should share it on here (you know I still would like to make my life "simpler" and although the boxed variety would be easier, this isn't too hard either).

Tonights version is Baked Ziti.

1 box Ziti noodles

1 pound ground beef

1 jar/can of Spaghetti Sauce (any flavor) (I really prefer to make my own sauce and freeze it to use with these recipes, but sometimes it is easier/faster to buy the premade sauce)

Mozzarella Cheese

Brown the ground beef and drain. Cook the noodles and drain. Add the noodles and spaghetti sauce to the ground beef and place in a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Top with mozzarella cheese and pop in the oven until cheese is bubbling. Serve with garlic bread and a salad and you have a perfect QUICK meal!

Another version of "Homemade Hamburger Helper"

If you are like my family, if/when you fix Mac -n- Cheese, you have leftovers. I save the leftovers for another version of Homemade Hamburger Helper.

1 pound ground beef

Leftover Mac -n- Cheese

1 small can tomato sauce

1 can of chili beans (optional)

Brown ground beef and drain. Place back in skillet and add mac-n-cheese, tomato sauce, and beans (if desired). Mix together and heat until cooked through. Service with bread and salad.

Hope you enjoy!!

Wordless Wednesday

6 Weeks Old...

and a smile for you!

This past week my Mother's oldest brother, Ray, passed away in his sleep. He had just turned 70 in February...may seem old to some, but the older you get, the younger it sounds. This is the first of the 6 siblings to pass away, so it was very hard on all of them. We travelled to West Tennessee for the funeral on Friday.

For my mother and my aunts and uncles who read this blog, I want you to know that we are praying for you as you experience this time of grief and sadness.

Easter

We went out to eat Sunday evening for Easter instead of after church so we could avoid the big crowds. We went to a new Mexican Restaurant in Chattanooga called Abuelo's. I know---not your normal Easter meal, but it was so good!! Here are a few pics from our day and evening.

Hayden's New Favorite Sleeping Position

Catching Up

Boy I have a lot of catching up to do!! I think I will do separate entries to keep it less confusing (at least for me that is!!) So let the blogging marathon begin!