Meat and Potatoes

Lance and I both grew up on good old fashioned meat and potatoes meals.  One of my favorite meals to fix:  BBQ meatballs and cheesy potatoes.  Double yum!  This meatball recipe makes a lot, so I usually divide it into three pans; one to eat and two for my freezer.  I freeze half of the potato recipe, too.  I love having meals handy for crazy days, or to give to a new mom or any family in need. 

BBQ Meatballs

• 1 can (13 oz.) evaporated milk
• 3 lbs. ground beef
• 2 c. oatmeal
• 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 c. chopped onion
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. chili powder

Mix and shape into balls. Place in pan in a single layer.

Hint:  Skip the mess (and have perfectly uniform meatballs)!  Shape your meatballs with a cookie or muffin scoop.   

Sauce

• 2 c. ketchup
• 1 1/2 c. brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. liquid smoke
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 c. chopped onion

Mix together and pour over meatballs. Bake at 350 for one hour. (I cover them for 30 minutes and then uncover for the last 30 minutes.)

Cheesy Potato Casserole

• 2 pounds potatoes, diced and cooked (can use frozen hashbrowns, thawed)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1cup (or more!) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 pint sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• salt and pepper to taste
• optional:  1 cup crushed cornflakes and another 1/2 cup melted butter

Mix first seven ingredients.  Spread in 9×13 pan.  Optional:  top with cornflakes tossed in melted butter.  Bake at 350* for 1 hour.   

For more recipes, head over to Life as Mom and The Grocery Cart Challenge.