Homemade Ground Beef Helper Mix
Contributed by Cathy
Source:
  "Magic Meals in Minutes"
Copyright:
  "http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/CoopExt/PUBS/COLUMNCC/cc961010.htm"
Yield:
  "1 1/4 cups"

2 cups nonfat dry "instant" milk
1 cup corn starch
1/4 cup unsalted chicken or beef bouillon powder
2 Tbsp. onion flakes
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsp. dried parsley
1 Tbsp garlic powder

Mix the ingredients together and store in an air tight container.

Use the above "Helper" mix as a base for the following dinners. (Each
serves four to six people.)

Chili Tomato Mac

Brown one pound ground beef or turkey and drain off the fat. Add one cup
water, one and one-half cups of uncooked macaroni, two 15-oz cans chopped
tomatoes, one tablespoon chili powder and one-half cup of the "Helper" mix.
Simmer covered 20 minutes or until macaroni is tender.

Ground Beef Stroganoff

Brown one pound ground beef or turkey and drain off the fat. Add 2 cups
water, one-half cup "Helper" mix and two cups uncooked egg noodles and
stir. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered for 15-20
minutes or until noodles are tender. Top with one-half cup "light" sour
cream or plain yogurt. Serve immediately.

Hearty Potato Casserole

Brown one pound ground beef or turkey and drain off the fat. Add three-
fourth cup water, six peeled potatoes (sliced very thin), one cup of frozen
mixed peas and carrots and one-half cup plus 1 tablespoon seasoning mix.
Simmer covered 20-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Stir, uncover
and cook until excess water is evaporated.

Skillet Lasagna

In a large skillet, brown one pound of lean ground beef, crumble. Drain off
the fat and add: one-half cup of the Homemade Ground Beef Helper Mix, one
chopped onion, two cups water, 16 ounces of tomato sauce, three cups dry
noodles and one-fourth cup Parmesan cheese. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat
and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring until thickened. Top with two cups of
mozzarella cheese five minutes before serving; turn off heat, stop stirring
and allow cheese to melt.