Ten-Minute Homeschool Meals

Doesn't every homeschool parent need a quick and easy recipe to save them at the end of a busy homeschooling day? Whether you had more fun than planned performing the afternoon Switched-On Schoolhouse® science project or you talked too long with friends at the homeschool co-op meeting, these healthy, easy-to-make "fast-food" recipes will save the day and feed your hungry homeschoolers in minutes:

Homeschool Haystacks

Ingredients:
2 lbs. lean ground beef
¼ cup chopped onion (optional)
½ tsp. seasoning salt
1 pkg. taco seasoning mix (optional)
1 15 oz. can low-fat refried beans or black beans
2-3 diced fresh tomatoes
1 head of lettuce (slivered or chopped)
2-3 cups American or cheddar cheese (shredded)
1 15 oz. jar of your favorite salsa
1 16 oz. container sour cream
1 large bag of low-sodium taco chips — (Want to use up those broken chips at
the bottom of the bag? Here's the perfect recipe!)

Brown hamburger with onion and seasoning salt — pour off grease. Add taco seasoning mix according to package directions. Heat beans in microwave or saucepan (5 minutes).
Wash and prepare tomatoes and lettuce — open jars and containers (5 minutes).

Assembly directions:
Serve buffet style and let each child start his own "haystack" on his plate with broken taco chips (or let him have fun and break his own); then let him layer desired amounts of hamburger, beans, and cheese on top (you may want to microwave for 10-15 seconds to slightly melt cheese). Immediately add salsa, sour cream, lettuce, and sprinkle tomatoes on top for color. Serves 4-5 "starving" children — pronto.

Gourmet Goulash

Ingredients:
2 lbs. lean ground beef
¼ cup chopped onion
½ tsp. seasoning salt
1 lb. package (3-4 cups) of uncooked elbow macaroni
1 28 oz. jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes (with juice)
1 Tbsp. parmesan cheese (grated)
½ tsp. garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste Quickly brown hamburger with onion and seasoning salt — pour off grease. While hamburger is browning, prepare macaroni by slightly undercooking 1-2 minutes according to package directions — drain and rinse with cold water. Mix with hamburger mixture and then add remaining ingredients in order. Heat in microwave until warmed entirely through — stir sparingly (2-3 minutes). Serve with cottage cheese topped with fruit, tossed salad, or raw vegetables. (If you can make your family wait a few extra minutes, quickly spread garlic butter on sliced French bread and place under oven broiler 2-3 minutes to complete your feast!) Serves 6-8 children.