Easy & Yummy Skillets and Mixes

I had someone ask about the Mexican casserole, and someone mentioned they had never made homemade Rice A Roni, so today I will give you both recipes.
We all like easy meals, and homemade, and  frugal.
So here we go - a couple semi-homemade recipes that are just scrumptious.


SEASONED RICE A RONI
2 C uncooked rice (not instant)
1 C broken spaghetti - (I place in a bag and smash with a hammer)
6 Tbsp. instant chicken or beef bouillon powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
Mix all together and store in an airtight container.
To use - put 1 cup of mix, 2 Tbsp. butter and 2 cups of water in a saucepan.  Bring to a boil,  reduce heat - cover & simmer for 15 minutes until tender.
(This is the original recipe I started with and it's from the Tightwad Gazette.)

**I do things a bit different now - just to give you options.  This tastes good, but it isn't exactly like Rice A Roni as it hasn't been sautéed in butter.
I mix up the rice and broken spaghetti together - and I mix the seasoning up and keep them separate (in a small jar or baggy).  One third of seasoning mix is used for each 1 C of rice/spaghetti.

It takes 1 cup of the rice/spaghetti mix to equal the amount in a box of Rice A Roni.
I then follow the below instructions

I cut these instructions from a boxed mix years ago, and it is taped inside my cabinet door over the stove. (See how yellowed the tape is?)

Tastes just like the real thing and you know exactly what is in it.  Easy to make up in bulk and have on hand.

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OK, you all know I am not huge on recipes unless it's a mix like above or baking - but this gives you an idea of how to make it.  You can add or change anything you wish!

MEXICAN CASSEROLE

1 lb. of ground beef (or turkey/chicken)

Taco seasoning (mix with meat like you would for tacos)

1 can of corn (drained)

1 can of beans - drained (kidney, black, chili - whatever you have)

About 1 - 1 1/2  C salsa

Approx. 1/2 C uncooked rice

Actually cooked on top of stove until rice was tender - then topped with crushed tortilla chips and shredded cheddar cheese and place in 350* oven until cheese is melted and lightly browning around the edges.

A great one pot meal - serve with a salad.

I cooked in my skillet and transferred it to the oven - super easy clean-up.  I love one pot meals.

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ONION SOUP MIX

3/4 C dried minced or chopped onion

4 tsp. onion powder

1/3 C beef bouillon powder

1/4 tsp. celery seed (crushed)

1/4 tsp. sugar

Mix all together and keep in an airtight container.  2 Tbsp. of mix is equivalent  to one packet of onion soup mix you purchase.

Use as you would store bought soup mix.

I like having this on hand - as we use it a lot for flavoring soups, casseroles and in meat/veggie crockpot dinners.

We are huge onion people (or lets say G is!!!!)

**I buy dried onions in gallon size jars at Sam's club.  It would take me forever and a fortune to dry as many onions as is in a gallon container.  

Sometimes life is just easier to purchase than do it yourself!!! It's OK - we can use store bought when it makes life easier and saves money and time!

I hope these recipes help you stay ahead of the game in your kitchen.  I always like easy dishes and simple mixes to keep on hand.  

I hope you enjoy!