Meatloaf Burgers ***

I've made these before, and we've always loved them.  They're so easy, and they combine two of our favorite loves: meatloaf and hamburgers.  :-)  This time, however, I subbed ground turkey for the beef (as I always do in my recipes).  The first time I make a recipe, I stick to it as-written, so last time, we had it with the beef.  I will just say that without a doubt, this is not a turkey-friendly meal.  I did take into account that the turkey would cook faster, and it was done in about 5 hours.  Way too dry, though.  Next time, it's back to the good old beef on this one.  I will say, though, that the flavor is still phenomenal!

MEATLOAF BURGERS
(luckymommyto2boys ~ Amy ~ Taste of Home)

1 large onion, sliced
1 celery rib, chopped
2 pounds lean ground beef
1-1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups tomato juice
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 bay leaf
6 hamburger buns, split

Place onion and celery in a 3-qt slow cooker. Combine the beef, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper; shape into six patties. Place over onion mixture. Combine the tomato juice, garlic, ketchup, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and remaining salt. Pour over the patties.
Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours or until meat is tender. Discard bay leaf. Separate patties with a spatula if necessary; serve on buns.

Cole Slaw with Beans and Bacon ***

Man, I love this stuff!  We've had it before, but it's pretty much just a summer thing.  Tonight was the first time we've had it this year.  Oh man, it's good!  Even anti-kidney bean dh likes it.  The kids aren't all that crazy about the cabbage part, but they compromised and ate all the beans in their portions.  Since there are quite a lot of beans to it, it was a fair trade.  ;)  It's pretty near perfect on its own, so I don't really make too many subs.  I use dehydrated minced onion, so that the kids won't notice.  I just make it ahead of time and throw it in the fridge.  It's better cold anyway.  I also used the "real bacon pieces" from the bacon bits aisle and preshredded coleslaw mix.  I like that the mix has carrots in it as well as the cabbage. 

Photo courtesy of Recipezaar

COLE SLAW WITH BEANS AND BACON
(luckymommyto2boys ~ Amy ~ Recipezaar)

2-1/2 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 cup diced celery
1/3 cup diced onion
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
15-1/2 ounces red kidney beans, drained
4 slices crisply cooked bacon, crumbled
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon sugar

Lightly mix together the first 6 ingredients.
Whisk together the 5 dressing ingredients and pour this over the salad mixture.
Toss all lightly and serve.

Easy Chicken Parmesan ***

The kids adored this one!  Dh has been working mega OT lately, so he hasn't had a chance to try it yet.  It's a winner for the rest of us, though.  I'm not thrilled that it uses the premade patties, but that's actually what I was specifically searching for when I found this recipe.  I had some in the fridge that I needed to use up.  I do like that these are things I can throw together last minute, though.  You can't beat its simplicity, that's for sure.  Throw in a nice salad, and you have a full meal!  Yummy!

EASY CHICKEN PARMESAN
(luckymommyto2boys ~ Amy ~ Food.com)

4 frozen breaded chicken patties
1 jar of prepared spaghetti sauce
4 slices mozzarella cheese
8 ounces angel hair pasta

Bake chicken breast patties according to directions on package.
When finished, cover patties with the spaghetti sauce.
Bake an additional 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Cover each patty with a piece of cheese and bake until melted.
Serve on a bed of cooked angel hair pasta.