Ranch Pasta Salad
This simple pasta salad can be served as the main meal or a side. Perfect complements include hamburgers, hot dogs, and Sloppy Joes.
Total Prep Time: 25 minutes
You Will Need
- 3 cups uncooked tricolor or whole wheat spiral pasta
- 1 cup chopped fresh broccoli florets
- 3/4 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
- 1/2 cup chopped seeded tomato
- 1/2 cup of ranch salad dressing (or home made dressing)
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
What to Do
Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, broccoli, cucumber, and tomato. Drizzle with salad dressing; toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Chili Bean Nacho Skillet
Stimulate your taste buds with this hearty Mexican dish. Serve with a salad to create a quick and complete meal.
Total Prep Time: 30 minutes
You Will Need
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 can (15 1/2 ounces) chili beans, undrained
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 can (11 ounces) Mexicorn, drained
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 to 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Tortilla chips (optional)
What to Do
In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the beans, tomato sauce, corn, sugar, chili powder, and oregano. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese; remove from the heat. Cover; let stand for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with tortilla chips if desired.
Serves: 6
Shrimp 'N' Veggie Alfredo
This simple but impressive entrée will look like you spent hours in the kitchen. The shrimp and vegetables effortlessly dress up the otherwise ordinary pasta.
Total Prep Time: 30 minutes
You Will Need
- 1 package (16 ounces) fettuccine
- 1/2 pound fresh or frozen sugar snap peas, thawed
- 1 medium sweet red pepper, julienned
- 2 medium carrots, julienned
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 1/2 pounds uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 jar (16 ounces) Alfredo sauce, warmed
What to Do
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, sauté the peas, red pepper, carrots, and garlic in 2 tablespoons oil until crisp-tender; remove and keep warm. Add remaining oil to skillet. Sauté shrimp in oil until shrimp turn pink. Return vegetables to pan; mix well. Drain pasta. Place pasta on six dinner plates. Drizzle with Alfredo sauce and top with shrimp mixture.
Serves: 6
Salsa Sloppy Joes
A twist on an old favorite, this recipe's sweet brown sugar and tangy salsa are a surprisingly wonderful combination.
Total Prep Time: 20 minutes
You Will Need
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 jar (11 ounces) salsa
- 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed tomato soup, undiluted
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 8 hamburger buns, split
What to Do
In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain. Stir in the
salsa, soup, and brown sugar. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until heated through. Spoon 1/2 cup onto each bun.
Serves: 8
Chinese Vegetable Stir Fry
You Will Need
- 400g pk Chinese style stir-fry frozen vegetables
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp crushed dried chili flakes
- 1 tbsp clear honey
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 30g/1oz chopped fresh holy basil
- 85g/3oz noodles
What to Do
Cook the noodles as per the packet instructions. In a wok heat the oil. Stir-fry the Chinese vegetables for 2 minutes. Add the chili flakes, honey and soy sauce. Fry for a further 2-3 minutes. Drain the noodles. Fold the basil into the stir-fried vegetables. Serve the vegetables on the noodles.