Recipe of the Week - Taco Casserole

This is a favorite in our house especially because my picky eaters claim they do not like tacos yet love taco casserole! 

Taco Casserole

1 pound ground beef 

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can diced green chiles

1 box elbow macaroni

1 package of taco seasoning

1 bag of shredded cheese

1. Set oven to 375.  Begin to brown hamburger on stove.

2. While browning beef bring, cook pasta.

3.  Once beef is browned put diced tomatoes, green chiles and taco seasoning in with the beef and stir.  Turn heat to low and let simmer.

4.  Once pasta is done cooking, strain in the sink and pour pasta back into pot.  Then add the beef and vegetable mixture to the pasta and stir.  Finally add about 1 cup of shredded cheese to the mixture and stir.

5.  Pour the complete mixture into an oven safe bowl and top with shredded cheese.  Cook for about 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted.

This is so yummy and easy to make.  One pound of beef costs about $7.  The chopped green chiles are on sale this week at Stop and Shop for $1.50 a can.  The Taco Seasoning is also on sale this week at Stop and Shop for $0.69 a packet.  Both of these products are Ortega Brand and there is a $0.50 off any two Ortega products from the Sunday insert few weeks ago.  This makes your chiles and taco seasoning only $1.19.  Sargento shredded cheese is on sale this week for $2 a bag.  The pasta is $0.20 a box from the Barilla sale in May, the diced tomatoes are $0.43 a can from the Del Monte sale in May.  Total this meal costs $10.82 and feeds a family of five easily.  A hearty, filling meal for $2.16 a person.

Recipe of the week - Broccoli Cheddar Frittata

Since this blog is all about saving money at the grocery store I thought it would be fun to put up a recipe every week that has a good amount of items from this week's circulars.  I hope you enjoy this new addition to the blog!
This week Eggland's Best Eggs were a steal at $0.99 a dozen with your coupon at A&P.  So here is a recipe that is all about eggs a frittata!  Thanks to some recipe browsing at Williams Sonoma I have adjusted their recipe for a Broccoli Cheddar Frittata.  I chose broccoli cheddar because broccoli is on sale at Shoprite for $0.99 a pound and Sargento shredded cheese is 4 for $10 at Stop and Shop or you can shred your own with a $1.99 block of Heluva Good Cheese from Shoprite.  If you buy two blocks then there is a $1 off coupon from a few weeks back. 

Broccoli Cheddar Frittata

1/2 lb of broccoli chopped

12 eggs lightly beaten

1 C of shredded sharp cheddar cheese

3/4 tsp of salt

1 tsp minced garlic

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

Pre-heat oven to 500 degrees.  

Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the baby broccoli and cook until just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

In a large bowl, stir together the eggs, 1/2 cup of the cheese, the 3/4 tsp. salt and black pepper, to taste. Set aside.

In a deep saute pan over medium heat, warm 2 Tbs. of the olive oil.  Add the baby broccoli, garlic and red pepper flakes, and season with salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 2 minutes.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the egg mixture. Cook, using a rubber spatula to lift the cooked edges and allow the uncooked eggs to flow underneath, until the eggs are just beginning to set, about 8 minutes.

In a shallow saute pan over medium-low heat, warm the remaining 1 tsp. olive oil. Place the shallow pan upside down on top of the deep pan and flip the frittata into the shallow pan. Cook, covered, until the eggs are set, 7 to 8 minutes.  

Uncover the pan and sprinkle the frittata with the remaining 1/2 cup cheese.  Place frittata in an oven safe pan and place in the oven for about 1 minute or until cheese melts.

This frittata can have a meat (make sure it is cooked first) added to it or other vegetables or seasonings.  It is a great way to use up leftovers from the week.  This frittata would cost about $2.48 when you count the eggs for $0.99, the 1/2 pound of broccoli for $0.49, and the cup of cheese for $1.  A cheap yet filling meal for your family.