Hamburger Casserole Cook-off Winner Recipes

OVANDO - Prior to Cowboy Claus’ visit at the Old West Christmas Fest in Ovando Dec. 2, visitors put their taste buds to the test at the annual cookoff sponsored by the Blackfoot Valley Cattlewomen. Five beef casseroles were on the plate and they all drew four votes each for the best.

“This is the first time this has ever happened,” said Barb McNally, president of the Blackfoot Valley Cattlewomen.

Eloise McNally’s name was drawn out of a hat and she received the grand prize, a $25 gift certificate to Diamond Bar Meats in Missoula. However the eternal bragging rights can be shared among all the entrants: Karalee Slaght, Margaret Bauer, Terry Sheppard and Angela Williams.

Eloise McNally's Hamburger Casserole (#1)

1 package fried-rice flavor Rice-a-Roni (Follow directions but just use 1 Tablespoon oil – Cook Ahead)

1 cup browned/drained hamburger

1 cup sour cream

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can French's crispy friend onions – mashed up

Preheat oven to 375oF. Spoon rice layer over bottom of 11X7 inch (2 quart) glass baking dish. Combine hamburger, sour cream and soup in a medium size bowl. Spoon evenly over the rice. Mash up crispy fried onions and scatter over beef mixture. Bake until it is bubbly – 25-30 minutes.

Karalee Slaght's Idiots Delight (#2)

1 pound burger

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped onion

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 cups cooked rice

2 Tablespoons soy sauce

1 small can Chow Mein Noodles

Brown and season the burger with salt and pepper.  Sauté the onion and the celery. Mix all the ingredients together except the noodles and place in a casserole dish.  Bake at 350oF for 45 minutes. Place noodles on the top and bake another 15 minutes.

Margaret Bauer's Sloppy Joe Casserole (#3)

Oven temp 400oF

2 pounds ground beef browned and drained

add "Sloppy Joe" ( or can of your favorite Sloppy Joe)

1 cup (or so) Ketchup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1-2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Minced onion and garlic to taste & dash of cayenne

Mix well and add to burgers. Cook for about 10 minutes. Put in 9x13 pan. Cover with 2 cups shredded cheese (I use a cheddar pepper jack mix).

Mix: 2 cups of Bisquick, 1 cup of milk and 2 eggs

Pour over Sloppy Joes. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Terry Sheppard's Family Dinner for Four (#4)

1 pound lean ground chuck,

Salt, pepper and garlic to taste

4 medium potatoes

Sliced onions, according to taste

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 large can solid pack tomatoes

Green beans – raw to meat mixture

Brown the meat with the onions and add salt, pepper and garlic. Peel potatoes and slice them into a two-quart casserole. Place meat and onions on top of potatoes. Add Worcestershire to the tomatoes – do not drain them – pour this over all. Refrigerate. When ready to bake, place in 350oF oven, covered, for one and half hours or until potatoes are done. Note: To make it fancier, add 2 cups diced celery and 1/2 cup diced green pepper. Arrange in layers with the potatoes.

Angela Williams' Cavatini Supreme (#5)

1 1/2 pound hamburger

1 small package sliced pepperoni

 1 small onion chopped

1 small can sliced mushrooms (optional)

1, 29 oz and 1, 15 oz can tomato sauce

1 green pepper chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup ketchup

1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 quart cooked pasta any type

1 package Mozzarella cheese

1 package Parmesan Cheese

Brown hamburger with pepperoni, onion, green pepper and salt and pepper. Drain grease.  Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Italian seasoning and mushrooms if using.  Bring to a bubble and let simmer a few minutes.  Cook the pasta and drain.  Pour pasta into 9x13 inch pan and cover with hamburger mixture.  Sprinkle liberally with the mozzarella and parmesan cheese.  Bake uncovered at 350oF for 30 minutes.