What To Cook When There’s No Time To Cook

Between swimming, dance, and other kid commitments, it is a miracle some nights that we get dinner on the table and not eat chicken nuggets 4 days a week. My friend Amber gave me this recipe and not only is it easy to freeze, but it is easy to make! 

Taco Stuffed Shells

Ingredients:

1lb ground beef (we have used ground turkey as well)
1 package taco seasoning
1 4 once package cream cheese
12 large pasta shells
1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 cup Monterey jack cheese (shredded)
1 ½ cups tortilla chips (crushed)
3 green onions (chopped)
1 cup sour cream

Directions:

1. In a fry pan cook ground beef and add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and allow to fully cool. While burger is cooking cook the pasta shells, drain and toss well with butter.
2. Pour salsa in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
3. Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place the stuffed shells in the baking dish and cover the tops of the shells with taco sauce.
4. Cover and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
5. After 30 minutes, uncover, and sprinkle crushed chips and shredded cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses on top.  Cook for about 15 more minutes. Serve with sour cream, additional salsa, black olives or whatever you think goes good with tacos!

Recipe Courtesy of:  Blog Chef

What do you do for dinner on your busiest nights with the kids?

—Kim Fletcher, Parenting Program Volunteer