DragonmamaCooks Vegetable and Beef Soup

I love making a big pot of soup that can be eaten off of for a few days and can also have a large portion frozen for future meals. My mama taught me a veggie and beef soup that I have adapted into my own version that I cook in a huge stock pot. It feeds the family for 2-3 days and I put enough into the freezer for another 2 meals. It's an easy comfort food soup that just hits the spot on those cold winter nights. It is also very adaptable to your preferences. I will show you how I like to make it. Then, I will show some adaptations, including some of the ways my mom originally showed me.

Dragonmama's Vegetable and Beef Soup

1 large package of stew beef cut small
1 bottle of V8
2 cans of tomato sauce
2 cans corn
2 cans green beans
2 cans sliced carrots
2 cans potatoes
salt
pepper
paprika
(Use half the amount if you don't want to make enough to freeze)

Fill stock pot halfway with water. Add stew beef. Bring to a boil. Turn to med low and simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until stew beef is completely tender. I choose to not add any seasonings yet because it seems to take longer for the beef to get tender. Once beef has reached desired tenderness, do not drain. You now have a yummy beef stock that will enhance the flavor of your soup. Drain your cans of veggies. Add the bottle of V8, your veggies, and spices to taste. The paprika really does add something special to this soup. Let it all simmer on the med low for about an hour, stirring occasionally. I usually go ahead and ladle out a storage bowl of soup now so it can start cooling off for freezing. This serves well with grilled cheese sandwiches or just some crackers. Add some Tabasco sauce for a little heat. If you try this let me know how you liked it in the comments below. Also if you have any alternatives or additions, please leave me a comment so I can try it out. Enjoy!!

Alternatives and additions
Couple lbs of ground beef instead of stew beef
^sub a lb of ground turkey or chicken with the ground beef
frozen or fresh veggies instead of canned
add tomatoes, peas, limas, white beans
any variety of veggies can be used
tomato juice instead of V8 but I recommend  V8 for extra vitamins
add tabasco during cooking
bread bowls 

DragonmamaCooks Baked Mac & Cheese

Some days I enjoy cooking a nice big dinner. Other days, it's all I can do to make it to the fridge for a sandwich. I do have loved ones to feed. Casseroles are an easy way to get meal time done without a whole lot of effort. Today I want to share my absolute comfort food dish. It's loaded with cheesy goodness and lots of calories but it's oh so yummy! This is so simple and inexpensive and you can change it up so many ways to fit what you and your family like. I'll lay down the basics and then you can use your imagination for add on's or change ups.

Dragonmama's Baked Mac & Cheese

1 lb Elbow noodles

1 lb Medium cheddar cheese (or any cheese you choose)

1 can tomato sauce

1/2 stick of butter

Salt 

Pepper

Garlic salt

Set oven to 350. Cook noodles according to package directions. While noodles are cooking, cut cheese into small cubes. I prefer to cube my cheese rather than use shredded cheese. It just tastes better to me. If you are adding any extras, now would be a good time to prep them as well. Once noodles are cooked add the butter, tomato sauce, spices, and about 3/4 of your cheese to the pot and give it all a good stir to combine. Pour it all into a 9x13 baking pan (or whatever lg/med baking pan you have that it will all fit in). Top with the remainder of the cheese. Pop in the oven for about 30 mins. I recommend you let this cool for just a little bit before you eat but it's all up to you. Enjoy!

Alternatives and Additions

Gluten free noodles can be used instead

2nd can of tomato sauce if you like it saucy

1 lb Shredded cheese for those days when you just can't 

1/2 lb x 2 of your favorite cheeses combined

Slice kielbasa or other link sausage to mix in or layer on top 

Add bacon, chicken, or hamburger

Use tomato soup instead of tomato sauce

If you try this, please leave me a comment below and let me know how it turns out!! Also I would love to hear from you in the comments what your favorite comfort food recipes are! I would love to try some and maybe even feature them in a future blog.