Sunshine Casserole

This is an easy recipe that is listed as a vegetarian meal. You could add a protein and use this as a side dish. This is especially good on a cold, dreary day where you are just looking for a little sunshine.

2 Cups Finely Shredded Carrots

2 Cups Cooked Rice

2 Eggs Beaten

1 1/2 Cups Diced Am.Cheese

1/4 Cup Milk

1 can of Creamed Corn

1 Tbs. Butter or Margarine (melted)

1 Tbs Minced Onion

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/4 tsp. Pepper

Combine all ingredients in a 2 quart baking dish. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes or until set. Makes 6-8 servings.

Melting Bean Pot

This is a favorite of ours. It is made in a large fry pan or saucepan. It is similar to Mac and Cheese, but adds protein in the hamburger and baked beans. You can change up the flavor of the baked beans depending on your personal taste.

This is also listed as a meatless recipe. You just need to omit the beef and change the canned beans to a vegetarian style instead of Pork and Beans. It will still be a very tasty meal.

You may think that 2 teaspoons of chili powder is too much, but you will be surprised with the flavor. Try it with 2 at first and increase or decrease to your liking.

1/3 Lb. Ground Beef 3 Cups Cooked Macaroni*

1/4 Cup Onion Chopped 2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1/8 Cup Diced Green Pepper 1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 Cup Milk 2 tsp. Chili Powder

1 Can (8 oz.) Pork & Beans

In saucepan, brown beef and onions and peppers with chili powder until tender. Add beans, cooked macaroni, cheese, milk and salt. Pour into small sprayed casserole dish.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes about 6 cups.

By leaving out the hamburger, you could make this a vegetarian meal.

* 1 ½ cups raw macaroni makes 3 cups cooked.

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To Cook Macaroni

Take a medium sauce pan and fill about ½ full of water. Add 1 tsp oil. Bring to a boil. When boiling, add 1 tsp of salt. Always salt pasta water. Add pasta. Stir and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes until soft but not mushy. Macaroni will cook with the other ingredients in the oven. rain using colander and add to beef mixture.

Macaroni and Cheese

3/4 Cup Uncooked Macaroni 2 Tbs. Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt 8 oz. Shredded Cheddar Cheese

2 Tbs. margarine 1 1/2 Cup Milk

1/8 tsp. Pepper 1/2 Cup Bread Crumbs

Cook macaroni in water with a little oil*. Place this in a Pam sprayed casserole.

While macaroni is cooking. Melt margarine in medium saucepan. Add flour, salt and pepper. Mix well. It will be thick. Let cook for one minute. Slowly add milk about 1/2 cup at a time. Let thicken between each portion. Stir constantly when adding milk. When milk is all added, let sauce thicken a little. Then add shredded cheese, still stirring constantly. When cheese is all melted and blended in, add this mixture to macaroni in baking dish. Mix together. Sprinkle bread crumbs over top.

Bake for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees. Should be golden and bubbly.

To Cook Macaroni:
In medium saucepan put 2 inches of water. Add 1 tsp. oil. Bring to a boil. Add 1 tsp. salt and stir. Add uncooked macaroni. Bring to a boil and cook uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes until soft but not mushy.

Remember, pasta doubles when cooked. so if a recipe asks for 3/4 cup uncooked macaroni, it will be 1 1/2 cups when cooked. Always check recipe to see if they ask for cooked or uncooked.