Fast food you can feel good about! Like a meatball on a baguette, Hamburger-by-the-yard is the perfect quick meal for a picnic, game night, Superbowl party, youth sporting event, or an out-the-door meal for a busy weeknight. Great to serve for large crowds of hungry kids and can be thrown together in under an hour.
Healthy Fast Food
Now, I am not a fan of running around like a chicken with my head cut off, nor do I fill my children’s schedules with so many activities that they don’t have enough downtime to rest, create, or just plain be bored. But, I am a mother with six children and nights can get plenty busy, especially on youth nights at church. Sure, it is tempting to run to the nearest fast food establishment on a busy night, but why not work Hamburger-by-the-Yard into your rotation?
Not only can you control what goes into your food by making it from scratch, but by bypassing the fast food joints, you eliminate all the additives, preservatives, fillers, etcetera that get you addicted in the first place. Eating clean food fuels the body for peak performance and is less taxing on the digestive system. Plus, it doesn’t take as long as you think to throw this together. Get the kids involved so you can be out the door in no time.
Growing Up with Hamburger-by-the-Yard
There are a few recipes I have stolen from my childhood. This is one of them. My mom used to make this as a quick dinner for baseball nights or an easy meal thrown together after a busy day. It is great for Sunday football parties or anytime you have a bunch of kids coming over.
When we were in the pastorate, the youth would often walk up to our house after church to hang out. Sometimes smoothies didn’t cut it and the guys needed a bit more protein before they were out the door to the Gaga pit. I miss those days. But I still prepare Hamburger-by-the-yard for my hungry crew often, especially after church.
Hamburger-By-the-Yard Recipe
Hamburger-by-the-Yard is the perfect fast food because it is portable. Often I double the recipe, so there is plenty to go around for large crowds. Also, don’t let the fact that I target this recipe for kids deter you from preparing it for adults. Moms and dads love it too. Truthfully, I like to have a piece in the morning for breakfast…cold, just like cold pizza. Hey, it brings out the kid in all of us.
Hamburger-by-the-Yard
Fast food you can feel good about! Like a meatball on a baguette, Hamburger-by-the-yard is the perfect quick meal for a picnic, game night, Superbowl party, youth sporting event, or an out-the-door meal for a busy weeknight. Great to serve for large crowds of hungry kids and can be thrown together in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 bagette cut in quarters and sliced in half lengthwise (into 8 servings)
- 1/2 white onion (finely chopped)
- 1/2 can mexican corn (drained)
- 2 T chopped fresh parsley
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 3/4 tsp. sea salt
- 1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
- 1 cup grated Cheddar, Jack, Fontina, or Havarti Cheese
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
Prepare the baguette by cutting in quarters and then slicing lengthwise to produce 8 servings. Place on the sheet pan
In a food processor, chop onion, corn, and parsley together to your desired consistency
Add in beef, egg, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and salt & pepper
Process until fully incorporated but not pureed. You want to see the other ingredients
Distribute evenly on the eight baguette pieces and bake in the oven for 30 minutes
Remove from oven and add shredded cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is melted
Serve while running out the door if necessary
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In everything you do -eat, play, and, love- may it always be Seasoned with Joy!
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