My top four

Over at Ellen's, she has come up with wonderful idea. Everyone has those three, four or five favorite recipes. You know, the ones you make over and over because your family likes them and they're easy to do. So, why not share those old faithful recipes with everyone, and maybe find some new favorites? If you have a few favorites, feel free to join in, and just let Ellen know. So, here are mine.

Spaghetti Sauce (this is great with almost any pasta)
1 lb ground beef
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
2 Tbsp Italian seasoning (or 1 Tbsp each of basil and oregano)
1 tsp crushed mint
Salt to taste

Brown and drain beef. Add the rest of the ingredients. If sauce is too thick, add water until you're happy with it. Pour over pasta of your choice and serve.

Mardi Gras - This is a casserole, but probably the best one ever!
1 1/3 cups Minute Rice (white or brown)
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can (14 oz) white meat chicken, drained
1 cup water
1 Tbsp oregano
Dash of cayenne
Combine all ingredients in casserole dish, mixing thoroughly. Then,
1/2 stick butter
3 Tbsp flour
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Melt butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour. Slowly add milk, stirring continually, until thickened. Add cheese, stirring until melted. Pour cheese mixture over contents of casserole dish. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. And my Dad would say, Serve with Ritz crackers!

Mexican Lasagna
1 lb ground beef
1 can refried beans
1 can tomato sauce
1 envelope taco seasoning
6 large tortillas
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Spray a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Layer three tortillas on the bottom of the dish. Then, brown and drain ground beef. Stir in beans, tomato sauce and seasoning. Spread half of beef mixture over tortillas. Sprinkle with half the cheese. Repeat tortilla layer, beef layer, and cheese layer. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Easy Lasagna - got this recipe recently and it instantly became a favorite!
1 lb ground beef
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
15 oz ricotta or cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1 egg
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 cup water
12 lasagna noodles, uncooked
Brown beef and drain. Meanwhile, mix 1 1/4 cups mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and the ricotta cheese and the egg until well blended. Set aside. To the beef, add the spaghetti sauce. Fill the empty jar with water and shake well. Add the water to the skillet. (This is what will cook the noodles) Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish. Top with three noodles. Spread with 1/3 of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers two more times. Top with remaining 3 noodles and remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes.

So, those are my top four! Let me and Ellen know if you're posting yours!