Taco Stuffed Shells

I don't know about you but I love stuffed shells.  I stumbled across this taco stuffed shell recipe on Cook Au Vin's blog and knew I had to try them. She has a ton of interesting stuffed shell recipes that I can't wait to try, Pumpkin Stuffed Shells being one of them.  :)


I thought this was really good. Both girls ate it too which is always a bonus.  :)


Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef (I used ground turkey)
1 package low sodium taco seasoning
4 oz cream cheese
14 cooked jumbo pasta shells
1 jar salsa
1 cup taco sauce
2 cups shredded cheese, taco blend
3 green onions, diced
sour cream, diced tomato (I used a freshly made salsa) avocado, and shredded lettuce for garnish

Preheat oven 350 degrees F.

In a large sauté pan over medium-high heat, cook the meat of your choice.  I went with ground turkey for a little healthier choice..  Add the taco seasoning (and water if required), stirring to combine.   Add cream cheese, and stir until cheese has melted and is fully incorporated. 

Pour salsa on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.  Stuff each of the shells with the taco filling.  Place each shell, open side up in the pan.  Cover shells with taco sauce.  Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.  Remove foil, add shredded cheese and bake uncovered for 10 minutes.   Allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving.


I put the lettuce on the plate, shells on top then topped with sour cream, chopped avocado and pico-de-gallo.  Yum, yum!

Green Beans

My girls love green beans.  I typically just steam them and serve them plain to them as that's been their preference.  Now they like a little seasoning on them and I've found this recipe to be a favorite.  You can boil your beans but I steam mine.  When you boil vegetables they will loose some of their nutrients into the cooking water, which is why we steam them instead.  We want to keep as many nutrients in our veggies as possible!


Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil

Directions:

Cook your green beans, we steam for about 10 minutes or until tender, set aside.  Melt butter in a skillet, add remaining ingredients, stir to combine.  Pour butter/spice mixture over green beans and gently toss to combine.  Enjoy!