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Happy Monday everyone! The menu of college student meals this week is a nice mix of dinners with ground beef as well as a few meatless meals. For the vegetarian dishes, you can always add some cooked chicken to the recipes to add additional protein if you’d like.
There are two recipes that require ground beef. Feel free to substitute ground turkey for the ground beef to lighten them if you’d like. Since you’ll be using ground beef in two recipes, cook all the ground beef one day and save a bit of it to use in the spaghetti sauce you’ll be making later in the week.
You’ll also notice that you’ll be using red peppers, onions and garlic in Monday’s and Tuesday’s meals. Cook the vegetables up on Monday and save half for Tuesday’s meal.
I chose the University of Texas logo as our featured college this week. Our son, Michael had several friends from high school that graduated from UT last month and we’re so excited for their futures. Have a great week!
MONDAY
Hamburger Gyros
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb. ground beef
1 teaspoon greek seasoning (or a combination of oregano, onion powder, garlic powder and mint)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 small onion, sliced
1/2 red pepper, seeded and sliced
1 clove garlic, sliced
1 or 2 pieces of naan
shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
Heat a large skillet on medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the ground beef to the pan; stir in the greek seasoning, salt and pepper and cook until browned. Transfer the cooked ground beef to a plate lined with a paper towel. (Remember to save a little of the cooked ground beef to use later in the week. Place in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator).
Return the skillet to the stove and add the onions and red pepper. Cook until onions are translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes. (Save half of the vegetables to use for Tuesday’s recipe).
Warm the naan in either the oven or a microwave. Place the ground beef in the center of the naan. Add the vegetables and top with shredded cheese.
TUESDAY
Salami and Provolone Egg Bake
Ingredients
3 large eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chopped salami
3 slices of provolone cheese, chopped
1/2 small onion
1 clove garlic
1/2 red pepper
*Use an 8×8 pan or other small baking dish.
*Use the the remaining cooked vegetables from Monday’s dinner. If you didn’t cook them already, simply heat a skillet on medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and add the vegetables. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
Directions
Butter the dish and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Whisk in the cream. Stir in the salami, cheese and vegetables.
Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
WEDNESDAY
Spaghetti and Meat Sauce
Ingredients
1/2 package of spaghetti noodles or your favorite pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onions
1 garlic clove, minced
1 15-oz. can of crushed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
salt and pepper
1 tablespoon butter
parmesan cheese
Directions
Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Heat a medium sized pot on medium heat. Add the oil. Stir in the onions and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes. Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes and the dried basil. Simmer on the stove for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the cooked ground beef and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the stove and stir in the butter.
Spoon the sauce over the cooked pasta and top with parmesan cheese.
Add a salad and a slice of french bread to complete the meal, if you’d like.
THURSDAY
Vegetarian Stir Fry with Rice
Ingredients
1/2 cup rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 small onion, sliced
1/2 cup broccoli florets
1/2 cup cut green beans
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce
Directions
Cook rice according to package directions. Set aside.
Heat a wok or large skillet over medium high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the onion, broccoli, green beans and carrots to the pan and cook until crisp-tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and stir in the soy sauce and cook for a minute more.
Serve over rice.
FRIDAY
Gemelli Pasta with Tomatoes, Basil and Garlic
This flavorful pasta dish is one of my favorites. It’s so easy to make and tastes delicious. Use the remaining pasta you bought earlier in the week or use gemelli pasta. You can find the recipe and ingredient list here.
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Ingredients
- olive oil
- butter
- 1 lb ground beef
- cheddar cheese , shredded
- provolone cheese
- parmesan cheese
- eggs
- small carton of heavy cream
- sliced salami
- 1 lb . spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- 1 15- oz . can crushed tomatoes
- rice
- frozen green beans
- soy sauce
- greek seasoning
- dried basil
- naan
- 1 onion
- garlic
- broccoli
- carrots
- cherry tomatoes
- fresh basil
Instructions
- Don't forget to check your pantry for items already purchased before you go to the store.
TIP OF THE WEEK:
For a sweet dessert that’s easy and inexpensive to make, consider making a hand pie. Using Pillsbury pie dough, cut out shapes with a cookie cutter or the rim of a round drinking glass. Fill the center with apples or pears, sugar, spices and a little flour. Then seal the edges together and bake. So easy and they keep well in the refrigerator to enjoy throughout the week.
Click here for the recipe: Apple Spiced Hand Pies
Wow! Looking at this meal plan just took me back to my college days…Ah the bliss of eating nothing but pasta, and pizza and the like. Love it!