Ridiculously easy Shepherds Pie

I got this recipe from one of my bestest friends mom.  SUPER easy and SUPER good.  And my husband loved it which means most kids will also really like it. ;)

Ingredients

(Really these ingredient amounts are just what I used for the specific occasion.  They can vary depending on the situation, or what you feel like.)

• 1 1/2 lb. Hamburger meat (really it just depends on how much you want)
  
• 1 can of green beans (you can add different or more veggies if you want)
  
• 1 can of tomato soup
  
• Mashed potatoes 
  
• Shredded cheese
  
• Onion Salt
  

Brown the hamburger meat and season with onion salt.  Mix green beans, tomato soup and browned meat together.  Spread into bottom of a 9x13 pan, spread mashed potatoes on top (just enough to cover meat, or more if you want!) and then sprinkle cheese over the potatoes.

Bake at 400 Degrees for 30 minutes.  Broil for the last 5 minutes or so if you want the cheese a bit crispy.

Caesar Chicken

This goes great with the Cheesy Crock Pot Potatoes!!!

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins
1 (16 oz.) bottle Creamy Caesar Salad dressing (Kraft works best)
2-3 cloves fresh garlic, pressed
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 45 minutes (30 min for tenderloins). Makes a great chicken Caesar salad. (The oils from the dressing will separate a little as this cooks).

*Makes a great freezer meal. Put frozen chicken, dressing, garlic in freezer bag. Thaw in refrigerator before cooking

Cheesy Crock Pot Potato Casserole

We had these at book club the other night and they are divine!!! I made some tonight and they were a big hit, super easy and super yummy.

7 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Topping:
1 pkg (6 oz) herb-seasoned stuffing mix
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Place potatoes in greased 4 1/2 to 6 quart slow cooker. Add butter, onion, salt, sour cream, soup and cheese. Mix well. Pour stuffing mix evenly over potatoes and drizzle with butter. Cover and cook on low heat 6-8 hours or on high heat 3-4 hours. Makes 8-10 servings.

Spaghetti Carbonara

I found this recipe on one of my favorite food blogs (http://abountifulkitchen.blogspot.com/). I tried her Spaghetti Carbonara recipe and we all loved it. It's so simple and tastes just like you sat down at Olive Garden for dinner. :)

1/2 lb spaghetti
4 tablespoons butter (if you double, I leave the butter at 4 tbsp total)
1 cup whipping cream
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese (No green cans)
4 slices bacon, cooked, drained and chopped

Heat water in large pot to boil. Cook pasta al dente, as directed on package. Meanwhile, cook bacon in sauce pan, remove and chop. Drain off all grease from pan, and wipe inside of pan with paper towel. Melt butter in saucepan. Add cream and cook for about 10 minutes until reduced a bit. Remove 1/4 cup cream to small bowl, mix 4 egg yolks to the 1/4 cup cream mixture with a fork. Return the egg and cream mixture to the pan with the remaining cream. (I added some ground pepper, garlic salt, parsley and oregano - added a great taste.) When pasta is done, drain and pour into heated bowl. While pasta is still hot, pour egg mixture over pasta, toss to cook egg slightly. Add the chopped bacon and grated parmesan. Serve immediately.