Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad

1. Pasta salad is a spring and summertime staple in our house. It's easy to make. There are endless varieties and it's a crowd pleaser. I first made this particular pasta salad recipe last year. It was for a summer BBQ birthday celebration. My brother was bring meat he smoked in his  new smoker and I was in charge of the sides. Of course, I waited until the last minute to figure out what I was making and ended up going into my pantry to see what I could come up with. After finding a packet of ranch dressing mix, I knew exactly what I would make. 
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3.  If you've been following this blog for a while, you know I'm all about quick and easy recipes. I can't begin to tell you how easy this is to make. My entire family raved over it and my future SIL asked for the recipe the next day. This creamy flavorful pasta is perfect for tailgates, summer BBQ's and so much more. Enjoy! 
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Ingredients: 

1. 1 box Cellentani Pasta 16 oz
2. 1/2 cup sour cream 
3. 1/2 cup mayonnaise with olive oil
4. 1 package dry ranch dressing mix 1 oz
5. 1/2 cup milk
6. 1 package bacon bits, 4 oz
7. 1 cup petite tomatoes, cut in half
8. 1 can sliced black olives, drained 4.25 oz
9. salt and pepper to taste
2. 
   
   Directions: 
3. 1. Boil pasta until cooked (8-10 minutes) and drain. 
4. 2. Cool pasta off by rinsing it with cold water. 
5. 3. In a large bowl, mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, milk and ranch mix. 
6. 4. Once above ingredients are completely mixed, add in cooked pasta. mix until the pasta is covered with ranch mixture. 
7. 5. Add olives, bacon and tomatoes to the pasta mixture. Mix lightly until all ingredients are combined. 
8. 6. Chill for 1-2 hours before serving. 

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Buffalo Ritz Chicken

Last week, I posted the honey mustard ritz chicken. When I was making that chicken, I thought about how good buffalo sauce would be with the recipe. I love all things buffalo flavored and knew this recipe would be perfect for football Sunday. So, we gave it a try this past weekend and I was right. Loved it. Hubs approved and it was just as good leftover. 

Next time, I'll be coating the chicken with crushed cornflakes instead of ritz crackers. 

The possibilities are endless! 

Ingredients: 

1 lb chicken tenderloins

1/4 cup buffalo sauce 

1/4 cup ranch dressing  more if needed

1 sleeve crushed ritz cracker

salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Combine the buffalo sauce and ranch dressing, mix well. 
3. Spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray. I've baked the chicken on a baking mat and have also baked it on a greased cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet. Chicken came out pretty much the same each time. 
4. Have two empty low bowls or dishes ready. In one, place the mixture of buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.  in the second, place the crushed Ritz crackers.
5. Cut the chicken into strips if you don't already have tenderloins. 
6. Season the chicken with salt and pepper
7. Dip the chicken pieces one by one into the buffalo mixture first, followed by the ritz crackers.
8. Make sure the chicken is covered with crackers.
9. After the chicken is coated in the buffalo mix and crackers, place on a baking sheet.
10. When all of the chicken is coated and on the baking sheet, bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
11. Enjoy!

HONEY MUSTARD RITZ CRACKER CHICKEN

Today, I’m sharing our first quick and easy recipe of the new year. All you need for this ritz cracker chicken dish are just THREE ingredients. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and was enjoyed by all four members of my family. This is the perfect replacement for the chicken tenders and potato skins hubs and I would get once a week from our local grocery store! I served the chicken with baked potatoes on the night I made it but from here on out, I think I’ll serve it with sweet potato fries on a night we’re craving comfort food. Enjoy! 

• 2 pieces (about 1lb) chicken cut into strips
• 2/3 cup honey mustard dipping sauce more if needed
• 1 sleeve ritz crackers crushed
•  salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray. I baked the chicken on a baking mat.
3. Have two empty low bowls or dishes ready. In one, place the honey mustard, in the second, place the crushed Ritz crackers.
4. Cut the chicken into strips
5. Season the chicken with salt and pepper
6. Dip the chicken pieces one by one into the honey mustard first, followed by the ritz crackers.
7. Make sure the chicken is covered with crackers.
8. After the chicken is coated in honey mustard and crackers, place on a baking sheet.
9. When all of the chicken is coated and on the baking sheet, bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
10. Enjoy!

Cranberry, Apple & Pecan Stuffing

Two years ago, I made this semi-homemade stuffing. It took just under 20 minutes to make and was full of flavor. When I made it the first time, I used fresh cranberries. We thought they were a little tart and opted for dried cranberries the second time. The sweetness of the cranberries combined with the crunch of the apples and nuts dresses up any boxed stuffing mix. The little cook time and delicious flavor will make it a  recipe you come back to time and time again.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups apple juice
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 package Stuffing Mix 6 oz package
• 1 small apple chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or fresh
• 1/4 cup pecans chopped

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring juice and butter to a boil.
2. Add stuffing mix along with the cranberries and apples, mix lightly.
3. Once fruit is mixed in, remove from heat. Let it stand for 5 minutes.
4. Stir in pecans before serving.

Adapted from Kraft Foods