Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

Did you know that South Dakota is nicknamed the Land of Infinite Variety? This is because of the many different landforms found in South Dakota – prairies, plains, mountains, and valleys are all found there. South Dakota is also home to the famous Mount Rushmore – the sculpture of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln.

South Dakota is also a major producer of beef cattle. This recipe is delicious and fun for kids to make.

SOUTH DAKOTA Meatballs and Pasta

What You Will Need:

• 1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef


• 2 Eggs, slightly beaten


• 1/2 cup seasoned Bread Crumbs (we like to use seasoned stuffing mix)


• 3 cloves Garlic, minced


• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh Oregano


• 1 teaspoon Salt


• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper


• 12 ounces shredded Mozzarella Cheese


• 1 25-ounce jar Pasta Sauce (your favorite)


• Hot cooked Linguine Noodles


• Large Mixing Bowl

What You Do:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F.


• Combine ground beef, eggs, bread crumbs (or stuffing mix), garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly. Kids absolutely love this step – it’s kind of like playing with play-dough!


• Divide meat mixture into equal portions and shape into small patties.


• Sprinkle each pattie with cheese, then completely enclose the cheese into a meatball form.


• Place meatballs on an aluminum-foil lined baking pan and bake in a 400 degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until juices run clear. If you prefer, you can also cook the meatballs on a grill.


• While the meatballs are cooking, heat pasta sauce in a large saucepan until hot, stirring occasionally.


• Add cooked meatlballs to the pasta sauce and heat through.


• Spoon meatballs and sauce onto cooked pasta, and serve!

South Dakota State Information – Click this link to learn more about South Dakota attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

South Dakota Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

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