Sweet Teriyaki Pasta Salad

Sweet Teriyaki Pasta Salad

• 16 oz. bowtie noodles-cooked and marinated (2 hours in dressing)
• 2 cans mandarine oranges, drained
• 1 can water chestnuts, drained
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts
• 1 1/2 bag small leaf spinach
• 4-5 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
  Dressing
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
• 2/3 cup white wine vinegar
• 6 Tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper

Mix dressing ingredients together in blender.  Marinate cooked noodles for at least 2 hours.  Combine all salad ingredients and stir dressing in.  Enjoy!

Chicken Tortellini Salad

This is one of my go-to summer meals! It is fast, easy, and really yummy! (Please, no jokes...okay- maybe a few, but only in your head.) It is especially delicious if you make it in the morning and let it sit in the fridge all day, marinating it its own yumminess. And the leftovers are great too (which is saying something, because I am NOT a leftovers kind of person.) So if you have a fun summer day planned with activities to fill the day, then whip this up quickly and don't worry about it until it's time to eat!

• 1 package Cheese Tortellini, cooked and drained
• 1 package Grape Tomatoes, halved
• about 5 oz. fresh Spinach, chopped
• 2 Chicken Breasts, cooked and cut into bite-size pieces
• 3/4 cup Creamy Caesar Dressing
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated

Combine all ingredients into a large serving bowl. Mix to combine. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. When you are ready to serve, splash a little more dressing on, and stir. Garnish with more Parmesan Cheese.

Fried Manicotti

The other day, I was craving Manicotti, but I wanted it different somehow. I was starring at my recipe just waiting for some inspiration to come. Nothing came, until later when I was craving mozzarella sticks. Yeah, I have a lot of cravings. No, I'm not pregnant. I just always have cravings...like every day. Anyway, I thought about making my manicotti somehow like mozzarella sticks. Crisp and crunchy on the outside, but cheesy and gooey on the inside. And so I came up with this recipe. As I was making this dish, I told my husband that if it wasn't super yummy, I probably wouldn't make it again, as it took more time than I anticipated. But we all ended up loving it, and so yes- I will make it again! Enjoy!

• 1 package Manicotti shells, cooked al dente, and drained
• 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, grated
• 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
• 1 cup Ricotta Cheese
• 3 Eggs
• 2 Tbsp. Milk
• Salt and Pepper to taste
• 1-2 cups Bread Crumbs
• 1 jar Spaghetti Sauce

Beat one egg in large mixing bowl. Add cheeses, milk and salt and pepper. Set aside. Heat about 1/2 cup oil in large skillet on medium heat. Beat remaining 2 eggs in separate bowl. Dip cooked manicotti shells in egg, then dip in bread crumbs. Place in skillet and fry about 1 minute on each side. Let drain on some paper towels. Carefully pipe cheese mixture into each shell and place in large baking pan. Bake at 400 for 5 minutes. Heat spaghetti sauce and spoon onto plate. Place Manicotti on top of sauce and garnish with parsley and Parmesan cheese.

Creamy Spinach Ravioli

-2 pkg. (9 oz. each) refrigerated cheese ravioli
-1/2 cup (1/2 of 8-oz. tub) Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread
-1 cup milk
-1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. Parmesan Cheese, divided
-4 cups baby spinach leaves
-2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
-Grated peel from 1 lemon
-6 cherry tomatoes, quartered

COOK pasta as directed on package.
MEANWHILE, place cream cheese spread in large skillet. Add milk; cook on medium heat 1 to 2 min. or until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Add 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the spinach, dill and lemon peel; mix well.
DRAIN pasta. Add to cream cheese sauce; toss to coat. Serve topped with tomatoes and remaining 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese.

Baked Ziti

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 package frozen pepper stir-fry mix, thawed
28 ounces chunky spaghetti sauce
16 ounces short pasta, such as ziti or mostaccioli
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup sundried tomatoes, optional


In large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add stir-fry mix; cook, stirring, until onion is softened. Add spaghetti sauce, bring to a boil. Remove from heat.Preheat oven to 350°F.Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Return to pot, but do not heat. Add sauce, 1½ cups mozzarella cheese, parmesan and sundried tomatoes; mix well. Spoon into a baking dish. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over top. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Spinach Chicken & Pasta

My Rating: 3 Stars

2 lb. chicken breast cut into chunks
2 quarts stewed tomatoes, drained
1 lb. frozen spinach, thawed
2 tbsp. Italian Salad Dressing

Stir fry chicken in skillet with small amount of cooking oil, seasoning it with garlic salt, onion salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. When chicken is completely cooked, add tomatoes. Thicken sauce with a little cornstarch if needed. Just before serving, add spinach and Italian dressing. Cook until heated through. Serve over spaghetti or angel hair pasta. Top with parmesan cheese.

Angel Hair Pasta with Lemon and Chicken

My Rating: 3 Stars
1 package (9 ounces)Angel Hair Pasta
1 1/2 cups cooked diced chicken
1/3 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon marjoram
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Refrigerated Angel Hair Pasta

PREPARE pasta according to package directions.

TOSS pasta with chicken, butter, lemon juice, parsley, marjoram and garlic powder. Season with salt and ground black pepper, if desired.

Ravioli Casserole

My Rating: 4 Stars

I got this recipe from my sister, Melanie. It is one of Josh's favorites, and mine too.

1 jar (28 oz.) Spaghetti Sauce

1 package (25. oz.) frozen Cheese Ravioli, cooked & drained

2 cups Cottage Cheese

4 cups Mozzarella Cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesean Cheese

Spread 1/2 cup sauce in an ungreased 9x13 dish. Layer with half of the ravioli, 1 1/4 cup of sauce, 1 cup Cottage Cheese and 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with Parmesean. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.