Ground Meat Mix

Ok, I will be the first to admit; this sounds weird. However, once you read what this recipe is all about, you're going to be happy! I like having meals in the freezer, especially in the summer when we've been swimming all day long. I usually want to take a nap! This recipe will give you 3 meals in your freezer. How easy is that? To make this even easier; you can place all the meals, ready to eat, into freezer containers (I use aluminum foil pans with lids). Make all 3 meals ahead of time. Enjoy!

Ground Meat Mix Yields 3 meals - 6 servings each meal

3 lbs. ground beef or turkey
2 1/2 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped green pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce
3/4 c. water
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 t. pepper

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a Dutch oven; cook until meat is browned, stirring to crumble. Drain.

2. Add tomato sauce and remaining ingredients; simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool.

3. Put 3 c. mix each into 3 freezer containers, leaving 1/2" headroom; freeze. You will have 9 cups of mix when finished. If you don't have freezer containers, use freezer bags; gallon size.

Sloppy Joe's

Thaw 3 cups ground meat mix, and heat thoroughly, add 1 T. ground mustard, 1/4 c. apple cider vinegar and 1/4 c. sugar (or less to taste). Serve on buns.

Chili

Thaw 3 cups of ground meat mix, add 1 (15 1/2 oz.) can Mexican-style beans, undrained and 2 t. chili powder. Simmmer 10 - 15 minutes. Serve with shredded cheddar cheese and oyster crackers.

Pasta Bake

Thaw 3 cups ground meat mix; add 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce, 1/2 t. dried oregano, and 1/2 t. dried basil. Simmer 10 minutes. Cook 1 box of rigatoni, drain. Place rigatoni and sauce into a large saucepan over low heat; sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese, cover and allow cheese to melt for 10 minutes or so. If you don't have a pan large enough, place into a 9 x 13" baking dish and bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. You are just looking to melt the cheese.