another go-to meal

do you have a favorite meal that you go to when you need something quick and relatively easy? something that you usually have the ingredients for and you know the family loves? this is such a recipe. i grew up eating my mom's "cheeseburger casserole" and here i am, cooking it for my family, too! the story behind this meal (well, there really isn't much of a story) is that my mom tweaked it from a weight watchers recipe. it is a very forgiving recipe that allows you to make it what you want. i'll tell you what i mean.

mom's cheeseburger casserole:

2 cups uncooked rice (i use brown rice)
1 lb ground beef (i use 93% lean, but you can use whichever kind you prefer, even ground turkey)
2 cups-ish cheddar cheese, grated
chili powder
1 can tomato sauce
corn (optional), frozen or canned

ok, so cook the rice according to directions. brown the meat. drain. mix the cooked rice, meat, cheese, and tomato sauce together (i usually mix everything in a large separate bowl). sprinkle mixture with chili powder (as much or as little as you want. i usually heavily sprinkle the meat with chili powder, so the flavor is in the meat, and then sprinkle a little over the entire mixture). mix all ingredients together throroughly to make sure tomato sauce is spread well. i add the corn at the end, usually frozen straight from the bag (no prior cooking). spread in a greased 9x13 dish and sprinkle with additional cheese. side note: i have been known to add a dash or two of tabasco sauce to this dish, for a little kick.

bake in oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (give or take) until cheese is melted and starting to brown.

 

 

i'm not much of a measurer when it comes to cooking, so i tried to pay attention to how much of everything i used. i eyeball the chili powder, cheese, and corn additions, for example. if you like less cheese, you can use less. corn lover? add more corn. didn't i say this is a great recipe? and, almost 100% guaranteed, at least one person in your family will want seconds.

 

enjoy!