(Family Features) It’s tough to beat an easy dinner that’s equal parts comforting, convenient and delicious. This Loaded Hamburger Potato Casserole is no exception – just brown ground beef then mix in a casserole dish with potatoes, bacon, cheese and more before baking for an hour. Find more casserole recipes and beyond at Culinary.net.

Loaded Hamburger Potato Casserole

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

• 1 pound ground hamburger
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 bag (1 1/2 pounds) tri-colored baby potatoes
• 1 can (10 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup fried onions (optional)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 1/2 ounces bacon pieces
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• chives or green onions, for topping

1. Heat oven to 375 F.
2. In skillet over medium heat, brown ground beef with garlic powder; drain and set aside.
3. Cut potatoes into small pieces. In casserole dish, mix beef; potatoes; soup; sour cream; milk; fried onions, if desired; cheese; and bacon pieces. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake, covered, 50 minutes then uncover and bake 10 minutes.
4. Top with chives or green onions.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

Bring Warmth to Winter with a Filling Family Dinner

(Family Features) Hearty, comforting foods that go perfectly with cold weather may be some of your family’s favorites, but if all those filling meals are starting to (literally) weigh you down, it’s time for a better-for-you spin.

Add a superfood to your winter menu for cold-weather dishes you can feel good about serving to your loved ones. Sweetpotatoes, known as a “diabetes superfood” by the American Diabetes Association, are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health. They’re a natural sweetener for that “sweet” flavor you crave without the added sugar, making them a perfect addition to this Cheesy Sweetpotato Casserole made with sweetpotato puree, warm spices and ground turkey.

A healthy and easy weeknight dinner, this creative spin on a classic casserole takes advantage of sweetpotatoes’ sweet, savory versatility. They enhance both flavor and nutrition content in simple and elevated recipes alike. Plus, they can be cooked and prepared in several ways, such as on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled, slow cooked or, in this case, boiled and pureed.

Visit ncsweetpotatoes.com to discover more ways to cook better-for-you family meals this winter. https://www.youtube.com/embed/NpMfx1ZUyBo?si=EZZcgfdjC5sFWSNb&controls=0

Cheesy Sweetpotato Casserole
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Servings: 6

• 1          medium North Carolina sweetpotato
• 16        ounces shell pasta (or any kind of noodle)

Ground Turkey:

• 1          tablespoon olive oil
• 1          pound lean ground turkey
• 1/2       medium yellow onion, minced
• 1          teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8       teaspoon salt
• 1/8       teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/4       teaspoon powdered mustard

Cheese Sauce:

• 3          tablespoons tomato puree
• 1/2       cup chicken broth (or any kind of broth)
• 1          cup shredded colby jack cheese, plus additional for topping (optional)
• salt, to taste
•             nonstick cooking spray
• fresh parsley, for garnish

1. Peel sweetpotato and chop into 1-inch cubes. Place in pot and cover with water. Bring to boil over high heat. Cook 13-15 minutes until sweetpotatoes are tender. Drain and let cool 2-3 minutes then puree in food processor or blender.
2. Bring large pot of water to boil. Add shell pasta. Cook until slightly harder than al dente as it will continue to cook in oven.
3. Strain pasta, rinse with cold water and set aside.
4. To make ground turkey: Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil. When olive oil is fragrant, add ground turkey. Break turkey into small pieces. Mix in onion, garlic powder, salt, ground pepper and powdered mustard; cook 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. To make cheese sauce: Heat oven to 375 F and place sweetpotato puree in blender or food processor with tomato puree, chicken broth, 1 cup shredded cheese and salt, to taste. Blend until combined and sauce is smooth.
6. Spray 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place noodles, ground turkey and sweetpotato sauce in casserole dish and mix until coated in sweetpotato cheese sauce. Sprinkle with additional shredded cheese, if desired, and bake 15 minutes.
7. Remove, let cool 10 minutes and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

SOURCE:
North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

(Family Features) A clean grill can enhance the flavor of your food, making regular grill maintenance an essential part of your outdoor cooking routine.

Grills, especially those exposed to the elements, can accumulate dirt, rust and food residue that can affect performance and safety. Plus, residual char and grease can impart unwanted flavors and even lead to flare-ups.

Once you’ve gathered the right tools – a sturdy grill brush with stainless steel bristles, a scraper, a bucket of soapy water, microfiber cloths and grill cleaner or degreaser – consult this step-by-step guide to keep your grill in pristine condition, ensuring delicious meals every time.

1. Preheat the grill for 15 minutes to loosen any stuck-on residue then turn it off and let it cool slightly.
2. Ensure the gas supply is turned off before cleaning.
3. Remove the grates and scrub them thoroughly with a grill brush and warm, soapy water. Rinse and let dry.
4. Clean burners by wiping them with a damp cloth.
5. Scrape the inside of the grill to remove any debris and use a vacuum to collect loose dirt and ash.
6. Wipe down the exterior of the grill with a microfiber cloth and grill cleaner.
7. Reassemble the grill once all parts are dry and give it a final wipe down.

In between deep cleanings, remember to clean your grill grates immediately after cooking while they are still warm to remove food particles and grease. Find more tips for the grill and beyond at eLivingtoday.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:
eLivingtoday.com