Spaghetti sauce

1/2 pound ground beef
1 cup frozen, chopped onions (or one small onion, chopped)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 zucchini or green pepper, diced
1/2 or 1/4 jar of marinara sauce (I like the ones loaded with vegetables such as Ragu Chunky Garden style Combination which has mushrooms, diced tomatoes, green peppers, onions, carrots, and zucchini).
1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
8 oz. can of tomato sauce
small can of tomato paste
15 oz. can of diced tomatoes

1. Brown the ground beef and add onions and garlic. Drain well.
2. While the beef is cooking, chop the green vegetable of choice. Add to the beef mixture. Cook until the vegetable is softened.
3. Add the seasoning, sauce, paste and tomatoes.
4. Simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Serve over your favourite pasta and add some parmesan cheese on top.

Beef with Rice and Spinach

Prep time: 5 min.
Cook time: 40 min.

- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 4 cups canned crushed tomatoes
- 10 ounces spinach, thawed
- 3/4 cup white rice
- 1 tsp. dill weed
- 1/4 tsp. pepper

In a large skillet, saute beef, onion and garlic over medium high heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently until beef is browned and crumbly. Drain off excess fat and stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 30 to 35 minutes or until rice is tender.

NOTE: the beef will appear pink after simmering even though you have cooked it thoroughly. It is just a weird thing that happens. Don't worry. :)

My chili recipe

Ingredients:
2 pounds lean ground beef
2 medium onions (chopped)
1 green pepper (chopped)
1 red pepper (chopped)
2 medium tomatoes (chopped)
8 to 10 fresh mushrooms (sliced)
1 19 oz can of tomatoes (I know this size is hard to find in the US.)
1 10 oz. tin tomato soup
1/2 14 ounce tin red kidney beans (I usually use the full can)
a smidgen of cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
lots of pepper
grated cheddar cheese for garnish

Directions:
1. Cook ground beef well and drain excess fat; set aside. In the same pan saute onions and mushrooms until tender; season with pepper to taste.

2. Combine beef, onion mixture, red and green peppers and tomatoes in large pot(Use a crockpot if bringing to a potluck). Add tinned tomatoes, soup, beans and spices.

3. Simmer to blend flavours; peppers should be tender and liquid evaporated to consistence you like. Check seasoning and serve with grated cheddar and a fresh roll/bread.

Serves 6.