So during the school year we travel an hour, each way, to dance classes 3 days a week.  That means after school we immediately get in a car and head out.  Even now during the summer we are still heading out 2 days a week.  So, I need meals that are quick, easy and can easily be eaten in a moving car.  I try not to indulge in fast food at all but occasionally I will let the kids get a kid’s meal (about 3 times a year so they think it is a HUGE treat).

This is what we do year round.  Travel to performances and Feis (Irish dance competitions).  It is fun and both my kids enjoy it so I am happy we can do this for them.  Though I have to tell you this performance was done on an 89 degree day with 95+ heat index.

My Manwhich Casserole came about because my daughter found 2 cans of Manwhich Sauce when cleaning out her locker this Spring.  She had taken 30-40 cans in for a food drive and figures these fell out of her bag and she just never noticed them.   This is not usually something I have on hand or use but we were sure glad to have them for the casserole.

My son thought it was a bit too sweet and I agree with him.  Next time I will use my own sloppy joe recipe in place of the Manwhich sauce but for a quick easy dinner served with a side of vegetables and salad this worked out great.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground beef or turkey
• 2 cans of Manwhich Sauce
• 1 large bag of potato puffs, partially thawed in the refrigerator
• 1 1/2 cups of cheddar, or your favorite cheese, shredded
• 1 (16 oz.) bag of corn, partially thawed in the refrigerator
• 1 medium green pepper, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 13×9 pan with non-stick spray.
2. Brown ground beef (or turkey) in a skillet over medium high heat.  Break the beef into small pieces with the back of the spoon as you stir.  When fully cooked drain off the fat except 1 TBSP.
3. Set the meat aside in a small bowl.  Add onions and peppers to the 1 TBSP of beef fat.  Cook over medium heat until softened.
4. Add meat back to the pan, the 2 cans of Manwhich sauce and the corn.  Heat until sauce is warm.
5. Place 1/2 of the potato puffs in the bottom of the prepared 13×9 casserole dish.  Press down lightly to form the “crust.”
6. Spread the meat mixture evenly over the potato puff crust.
7. Cover the meat mixture with the remaining potato puffs.
8. Bake for 25 minutes.  Remove pan from oven and sprinkle cheese over the top of the casserole.  Return pan to oven for 10 minutes.
9. Remove pan from oven and let sit for 3-5 minutes before serving.