# Ridiculously stupid-simple recipes you can't believe come out so tasty **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 24, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411 "2009-09-24T20:32:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19adc/32.png) [@I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Am_The_Lorax)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/101 "2009-09-30T11:15:04Z")
Missed the edit window, here’s my contribution: Cracker Barrel Copycat Hashbrown Casserole 32 oz bag frozen hashbrowns (shredded kind) 1 can cream of chicken soup 1 bag shredded cheddar little bit of melted butter (I have omitted this and couldn’t tell the difference) some sprinkles of minced onion salt and pepper Mix all this stuff together. You will be tempted to add some milk or another can of soup because it looks like it won’t turn out. Don’t worry, it will. You don’t even need to thaw the hashbrowns. Press into a big-ass casserole you’ve sprayed with Pam, bake in a 375 oven for as long as it takes to get gooey, bubbly, and brown on the top. Double if you have teenagers or manual laborers in the house. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/102 "2009-09-30T12:01:12Z")
> [@I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](#): > > Missed the edit window, here’s my contribution: > > Cracker Barrel Copycat Hashbrown Casserole > > 32 oz bag frozen hashbrowns (shredded kind) > 1 can cream of chicken soup > 1 bag shredded cheddar > little bit of melted butter (I have omitted this and couldn’t tell the difference) > some sprinkles of minced onion > salt and pepper > > Mix all this stuff together. You will be tempted to add some milk or another can of soup because it looks like it won’t turn out. Don’t worry, it will. You don’t even need to thaw the hashbrowns. Press into a big-ass casserole you’ve sprayed with Pam, bake in a 375 oven for as long as it takes to get gooey, bubbly, and brown on the top. Double if you have teenagers or manual laborers in the house. Mmmmmm. Thanks for posting this! I _love_ their hashbrown casserole, and have often wondered what it would take to replicate it at home. This sounds really easy. Are you referring to a 2C (8oz) bag of shredded cheddar? ---
**Author:** ![Enright3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/enright3/32/2897_2.png) [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/103 "2009-09-30T13:59:13Z")
> [@Red\_Skeezix](#): > > Cheeseburger Macaroni (aka Hamburger Helper): > > 1 lb ground beef browned, drained. > 1 lb elbow macaroni / small shells, cooked and drained but not rinsed. > 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese > 1/2 cup milk > 4 tbsp butter. > salt > > mix all but cheese in pan on medium low heat > slowly stir in cheese until mixture reaches desired consistency. > salt to taste My even easier version of this is: Make Mac & Cheese according to box directions. Brown hamburger meat stir together ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/104 "2009-09-30T16:42:13Z")
I feel like I’ve posted this here before. It’s a sort of a Korean casserole. Brown a package of ground beef. Add at least a cup of drained kimchi (more if you like) and get it well-acquainted with the beef. Stir in a couple of beaten eggs and serve over rice. You can add whatever else you want to it – watercress, onions, scallions, bean sprouts, zucchini – either towards the end of the cooking process so they warm up, or on top of the meat and rice mixture. Alternately, you can do the eggs over easy and not mix them with the meat but serve them on the top of the meat, rice and veg for a quickie bibimbap. Eat with lots of kochujang sauce. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19adc/32.png) [@I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Am_The_Lorax)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/105 "2009-09-30T16:51:48Z")
**norinew** , yep, it’s an 8 oz bag. It’s too easy. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/106 "2009-10-01T01:04:07Z")
> [@I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](#): > > **norinew** , yep, it’s an 8 oz bag. It’s too easy. Hmmm. My oldest daughter is coming to visit this weekend. If I’m feeling really ambitious, maybe I’ll make Sunday brunch, including this casserole! Yum. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/107 "2010-05-31T05:50:41Z")
Hopefully this thread hasn’t reached it’s expiration date and I can resuscitate it. I’m getting some snow peas tomorrow to try\*\* Whack-a-Mole’\*\*s Warm Snow Pea and Chicken Salad. I’m printing out a few of these to add to my “to try” list. I’d love some more to try! The fried pasta and haluschke are on the list too! ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/108 "2010-05-31T13:22:29Z")
Easiest Dinner Ever: Boil penne pasta. When it’s almost done, add some frozen veggies. (my favorite is the green & yellow bean with carrot combo, cut to penne size!) Drain and cover with garlic butter. (I always keep this in my fridge, you can buy premade but it’s a snap to make, I use soya margarine + crushed garlic, [from a jar, lots] + salt and pepper to taste + cajun spice, [gives a little body, can easily omit] + parsley flakes! It is wonderful to have on hand and useful for so many things!) Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Got left over chicken? (or any other meat), slice and add on top, (no need to heat it up, straight from the fridge will do.) Salt and pepper to taste. If you’re having company, use the garlic butter to also make garlic bread, sprinkle with Parmesan, add a salad and it’s a wonderful, full meal with not much work. Leave off the meat and it’s just as yummy vegetarian. Perfect choice when feeding both vegetarians and meat eaters. I encourage you to try this, it’s a snap and very, very yummy. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/109 "2010-05-31T14:33:23Z")
Rice casserole: 1 can of Campbell’s French onion soup 1 can of Campbell’s beef broth 1 small can of mushrooms, drained 1 can of water chestnuts, drained 1 stick of butter or margarine, melted 1 cup of white rice mix it all into a casserole dish and cook for one hour at 350F. No muss, no fuss. OMG delicious ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/110 "2010-05-31T15:12:13Z")
Variation on earlier suggestions. In the morning put package of boneless pork ribs (sometimes on the package it says “country ribs”) in the crock pot on low or high. Top with a whole bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce. Go to work. When you walk in the door at the end of the day… ahhhhh… dinner’s all ready. Love that part. ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/111 "2010-05-31T16:28:26Z")
My daughter’s favorite: Crap in a Frying Pan (aka Beefy Noodle crap): Brown some ground beef (or ground turkey); drain. Throw in some sliced carrots, minced onions, a packet of beef stew seasoning mix, and 4 cups of water. Cover and simmer until the carrots are tender. Add about half a bag of egg noodles and put the lid back on; stir occasionally until the noodles are done. 30 minutes tops and most of that is simmering time. If you want you can thicken it up a bit with cornstarch slurry. 'S good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/112 "2010-05-31T17:14:48Z")
Get a baking dish, about medium sized. I have a clear glass 7 in. round one that is kind of deep. Bottom Layer: starch. depending on my mood I will do white rice (cooked) or egg noodles (cooked) Next Layer: can of Rotel tomatoes. Barely drained Next layer: cheese. whatever kind you want. I like cheddar and will sometimes throw in some Velveeta to smooth it out Next Layer: Can of Chicken a la King At this point you can stick it in the microwave or the oven, just long enough to melt the cheese and let the ingredients soak through. Eat. Then see a cardiologist. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/113 "2010-05-31T17:21:44Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > This dish is IMPOSSIBLE to make sound appealing–it sounds kinda gross–but it’s one of the most perfect comfort foods. My Czech grandmother made it for us, and whenever I’ve FORCED someone else to try it, it goes right on their own comfort food list. > > Seriously, try it, it will become a favorite, and it’s easier than almost any other recipe I know. > > Called Haloushke, or something; I never saw it written. Pronounced _huh-LOOSH-key_. > You get you a cabbage, a big onion, a bag of wide egg noodles, and a thing of cottage cheese. Oh and some butter, and of course salt/pepper. > > Chop onion, slice cabbage into ribbons. (I like to make them roughly the same width as the noodles, but that’s a purely visual thing.) Melt way too much butter in a large saute pan. I use a stick; you may use less if you insist. > > Saute the onions around in the butter till they’re not quite browned. Toss in cabbage. (Oh meanwhile, timing wise, you’re dumping your egg noodles in the boiling water about now.) Saute cabbage till a little beyond wilted, but not mushy. When cabbage is ready, and noodles are ready, toss all together in a big ass bowl, along with the cottage cheese. Salt and pepper, etc. > > Serve in big comfy bowls. Leave out the noodles, instead add 3-4 potatoes (mashed) and 1/2 C sour cream to the cottage cheese, mix it into the cabbage/onion mush, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. caraway seeds, throw it all in the oven for 30 minutes and you have Solyanka, which is also absolutely wonderful! ---
**Author:** ![pinkyvee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@pinkyvee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkyvee)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/114 "2010-05-31T18:13:14Z")
BROCCOLI AND CHEESE CASSEROLE 2 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped broccoli 1 (8 oz.) pkg. Velveeta cheese, diced 1 sleeve Ritz crackers 1/2 c. melted butter 1/4 c. melted butter (for the base of casserole) Cook broccoli as directed on package. Crush crackers and mix with 1/4 cup melted butter in bottom of casserole dish; cover with 1/2 of the diced cheese, followed by 1/2 of the broccoli and 1/2 of the crumbs. Add another layer of broccoli and cheese; top with crumbs. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Use a 1 1/2 or 2 quart size casserole. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/115 "2010-05-31T19:03:37Z")
For real easy, it’s hard to beat tortilla chips, slathered in melted longhorn cheddar, topped off with some jalapeno peppers and browned hamburger meat. ---
**Author:** ![pinkyvee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6de8d8/32.png) [@pinkyvee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkyvee)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/116 "2010-05-31T19:38:43Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > For real easy, it’s hard to beat tortilla chips, slathered in melted longhorn cheddar, topped off with some jalapeno peppers and browned hamburger meat. … And a Mylanta chaser? ---
**Author:** ![KennerTheGreat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a8b319/32.png) [@KennerTheGreat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennerTheGreat)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/117 "2010-05-31T20:28:41Z")
**Cheesy Broccoli Chicken** 1 lb. ground chicken. Approx. 1 lb frozen, chopped broccoli. 1 can condensed broccoli & cheese soup Grated medium cheddar cheese. Brown the chicken in a skillet. Add the broccoli and soup, swish it around until the broccoli is thawed. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C). Grease a baking dish and pour the chicken, broccoli and soup into it. Top with the cheese and bake until the cheese is melted. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/118 "2010-05-31T20:48:23Z")
“Rice Mix” 1 lb ground whatever \ 1 box “fast-cooking” wild rice mix (I use Uncle Bens) Brown the mean in a pan that has a lid available. Dump in rice and water according to package directions (leave out any butter/fat, there’s plenty in the meat), cover and cook according to package directions. Stir before eating. Think of it as “American Larb.” Breast size is unimportant to this recipe. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2010, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/119 "2010-05-31T21:50:12Z")
Italian skillet brown and drain 1 lb of hamburger, turkey, whatever add: 1 can red beans, drained 1 can diced tomatoes 1/2 cup or so of roasted red peppers 1 zucchini, cut in bite size pieces 1 med to large onion, diced 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (or whatever pleases you in the herb /spice line) simmer for 15-20 minutes, serve over rice, pasta, potatoes, polenta, whatever or add leftovers of any of these to the skillet. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2010, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411/120 "2010-06-01T00:16:41Z")
> [@Marlitharn](#): > > My daughter’s favorite: > > Crap in a Frying Pan (aka Beefy Noodle crap): > > Brown some ground beef (or ground turkey); drain. Throw in some sliced carrots, minced onions, a packet of beef stew seasoning mix, and 4 cups of water. Cover and simmer until the carrots are tender. Add about half a bag of egg noodles and put the lid back on; stir occasionally until the noodles are done. 30 minutes tops and most of that is simmering time. > > If you want you can thicken it up a bit with cornstarch slurry. 'S good stuff. Every so often, I do something like this: I put a fair-size pot of water (salted) on to boil, for egg noodles. Then in a large skillet, I brown a pound of ground beef, drain the beef and sautee diced onion/peppers/whatever’s in the freezer in the remaining beef fat; add the ground beef back in, with salt and pepper. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup and as much milk as I feel like (to make it as “creamy” as I like); simmer while boiling egg noodles. Drain and butter egg noodles, and serve with “ground beef stuff” on top. Quick, delicious, easy, cheap, high protein. Who could ask for more? Of course, you can get as fancy as you want: add a can of mushrooms; add a couple of TBSPs of cream cheese at the end. Whatever. I’ve never found a way to _ruin_ this stuff. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ridiculously-stupid-simple-recipes-you-cant-believe-come-out-so-tasty/511411.md?page=7)