Fun Foodie Family

Cheesy Italian Meatloaf

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great NYE and is having a nice relaxing day at home with family and friends. So a couple of days ago, I made this really yummy meatloaf. I had about a pound of ground beef and knew I wanted to make meatloaf, but I wanted to try something new. So I looked around the fridge and pantry for a while, and discovered a small can of tomato sauce and some shredded mozzarella. Here is how I made it… GO DAWGS!!!!

Cheesy Italian Meatloaf

Ingredients
1 pound of ground beef
1 egg
About 3/4 sleeve of crackers (soda or butter)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire
1 small can of tomato sauce
1 tablespoon of tomato paste
1 container of shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of onion powder
1 teaspoon each of thyme, marjoram, and oregano
salt and pepper to taste- do not skimp

Directions

In a large bowl combine the beef, egg, crackers, and all your spices. I also put a little bit of the tomato sauce and cheese in the beef mixture as well. I get in there and mix it up with my hands. Mix just enough to combine the ingredients. I take my mixture, form in a loaf shape in a long dish (spray with non-stick spray) Top with more tomato sauce then cover in cheese. 375 degrees for about 45 minutes.

Served it with some mashed potatoes, peas, and crescent rolls. Delish!

Potato Pancakes

Appetizers and snacks, Leftovers/ Freezer Meals, potatoes

Hello again! Yesterday I made these yummy little potato pancakes using the leftover mashed potatoes from meatloaf night. This is a super easy recipe. You can make them even better by adding cheese or maybe even a little bacon. You can add scallions or garlic…the possibilities are endless! The girls like to eat them with applesauce, but I love dipping them in a little bit of sour cream with some chives. Simple perfection!

POTATO PANCAKES
Leftover Mashed Potatoes (about 2 cups)
2 eggs
1/4 cup flour
salt and pepper

Happy Holidays!

Misc. stuff

Sorry I have been MIA. December is a weird time of year for me. Lots of sadness; Lulu died December 10th after having a long battle with Cancer. We always go to Hibachi bc it was her favorite.

Lots of Happiness; Rucks and I were married Dec. 16th 2000, so we celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. We took the girls to fondue for the first time, and they loved it! We sometimes get random snow in Georgia and the girls can play and make a snowman! We go see Santa at the Mall of Georgia and then go to a different restaurant each year with my parents. Plus, I am off work until Jan. and I get to spend a lot of time with my girls, which is super important to me! My doggie has had some ear troubles this month, so that has not been too fun, but he will have an ear surgery in the new year and allergy meds that will hopefully help him. Thanks for keeping up with me and my blog! Looking forward to 2018 and seeing what it brings!

Stuffed Shells and an Amazing Appetizer

Pasta

When you are a food blogger, making an amazingly easy stuffed shells with beef cooked with salt and pepper, topped with cheese and tomato sauce, you kinda feel like such a fraud. But then you make a killer appetizer that validates your conscience. 4 chopped tomatoes, 5 crushed minced garlic heads, a bunch of basil that came in to the mix with melted mozzarella with toasted bread added with olive oil on its base. You have to be crazy not to love this bruschetta 😍