Super Yummy Sloppy Joes/ 4 WW points

3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
3/4 lb ground round
2 cups no-salt added tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons worchestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
12 light wheat hamburger buns

Over medium heat, cook beef, peppers and onion until beef is browned. Stir in remaining ingredients and reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Spoon 1/4 cup beef mixture onto bun.

The 4 weight watcher points are obviously calculated specifically using these ingredients and these amounts. (I don't do weight watchers but I though someone might find this info useful)

The whole family really loves these. The turkey sloppy joes are still at the top of our faves but these have a different taste and we love these too.

Southern Barbecued Brisket

1 fresh beef brisket (5 pounds)
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Liquid Smoke, optional
2 teaspoons celery seed
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Place brisket on a large sheet of heavy-duty foil; seal tightly. Place in a greased shallow roasting pan. Bake at 325 for 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until meat is tender.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat.

Carefully open foil to allow steam to escape. Remove brisket from foil; let stand for 20 minutes. Thinly slice meat across the grain. Place in an ungreased 13 in x 9 in x 2 in baking dish. Spoon sauce over meat. Cover and bake for 1 hour or until meat is heated through.

I don't know about you guys but I have always been a little intimidated by brisket. So, I tried this recipe and it was super easy. It turned out FABULOUS!! Big family hit!!!

Recipe from Taste of Home Simple & Delicious, March/April 2008 issue.

Taco-Filled Pasta Shells

2 lbs ground beef
2 envelopes taco seasoning
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed
24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1/4 cup butter, melted

Additional ingredients (for each casserole)
1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 cup sour cream
3 green onions, chopped.

In a skillet, cook beef until no longer pink, drain. Add taco seasoning; prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese; cover and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until melted. Transfer to a bowl; chill for one hour. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Gently toss with butter. Fill each shell with about 3 tablespoons meat mixture. Place 12 shells in a greased 9 in square baking dish. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.
To prepare remaining shells , spoon salsa into a greased 9 inch square baking dish. Top with stuffed shells and taco sauce. Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover; sprikle with cheeses and chips. Bake 15 minutes longer or until heated through. Serve with sour cream and onions.
To use frozen shells: Thaw in the refrigerator for 24 hours (shells will be partially frozen). Remove from dish. Add salsa to dish; top with shells and taco sauce. Cover and bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Uncover and continue as above.

We really like this. It's a combination of two other dishes we all love. Tacos and stuffed shells! I always love the opportunity to make 2 meals at once. I love recipes that I can freeze half to use later.

Vegetable Beef Soup

Ingredients:

Stew Meat (I use ground round cut for stew)
Onion (as many as you like - I use one)
Bell Pepper (as many as you like - I used half of one)
Canned vegetables of choice (I use green beans, lima beans, corn, black-eyed peas, okra, carrots, diced potatoes)
2-3 cans Diced Tomatoes
Beef Bouillon

What to do:

Stove Top Directions

• Brown meat in oil until no longer pink
• Add chopped onion and bell pepper and cook until soft
• Drain meat, onion and bell pepper and add to pot
• Add canned vegetables - drained, tomatoes and beef bouillon
• Add water if necessary
• Let simmer and ENJOY!

Crock Pot Directions

• Place meat in crock pot and cover with water, add bouillon cubes - let cook overnight
• In the morning, add all vegetables
• Cook all day
• Come home and ENJOY!