During theses busy and often cold days of December, it is always nice to have an easy supper/lunch recipe at hand.  This is one of those recipes.

​Ingredients:
2 pounds lean ground beef (I recommend 1 pound sweet Italian sausage and 1 pound lean ground beef)
1 large onion, chopped (about one cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can (28-oz) whole tomatoes
1 can (15-0z) kidney beans, undrained
1 can (12-oz) vacuum packed whole-kernel corn (drained)
2 stalks of celery, sliced (about 1 cup)
2 cups shredded cabbage (about 1/4 head)
2 small zucchini, sliced (about 2 cups)
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni  (rigatoni would be an excellent substitute and increase quantity to 2 cups)
3 cups beef stock
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Directions:
Cook and stir meat(s), onion, garlic in Dutch oven until beef is light brown; drain if necessary.  Stir in remaining ingredients (except macaroni/pasta) breaking up tomatoes with fork.

Heat to boiling; reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes.  Stirring occasionally,  Add macaroni/pasta, cover and simmer for another 20 to 30 minutes.

Enjoy.

​Makes about 12 servings.

! cup all purpose flour
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 package cream cheese (8-oz) softened
1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 egg (room tem)
2 teaspoons EggNogg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1.  Heat oven to 350 (F) degrees.  Mix flour, butter and 1/4 cup brown sugar until crumbly dough-like.  Press in ungreased baking pan (8x8x2) and bake for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven.
2.  Beat remaining ingredients (except pecans)  in small mixer bowl on low speed, scraping constantly for 30 seconds.  Beat on medium speed, scraping occasionally for 1 minute.  Spread over baked layer; sprinkle with pecans.  Bake until edges are light brown, about 25 to 30 minutes.
3.  Cool, refrigerator at least two hours.  Cut into 1 1/4 square inch bars.  Store in refrigerator.
4.  Makes about 3 dozen squares.

​Enjoy!