Favorite Italian Pasta Salad

This has been a favorite of mine for years and years!  Any time I bring this to a party I always get asked for the recipe, and laugh, because I always use the 'Suddenly Salad' boxed recipe mix.  Then I doctor it up with some yummies and it is always sure to be a hit!

I usually do 4 boxes at a time for parties, some for it and save some for my family.

Ingredients:

Suddenly Salad Classic Italian

1/2 cup Kraft Caesar Salad Dressing

1 can black olives

1/2 pack sunburst tomatoes (the orange grape size)

1/2 cup matchstick carrots

1 -1 1/2 cup broccoli flowerette's

3 diced white mushrooms

2 roma tomatoes

diced pepperoni (optional, my husband loves them included)

cubed mozzarella cheese 

Follow directions on box.

Mix the boxed dressing together with the caesar dressing.

Dice up veggies.

Mix the noodles with the veggies.

Slowly add the dressing mixing little by little.

Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

*If it seems a little dry and need a little more dressing before serving, try the caesar italian dressing by kraft.

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

This was so easy with just a few ingredients!

8 oz. Linguine

(I prefer Ronzoni Garden Delight, it makes the dish more colorful and healthy.)

2 tbsp. butter

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1 cup fresh broccoli flowerettes

1 lb cubed chicken

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp pepper

Cook linguine according to pkg. directions. 

Add broccoli for hte last 4 minutes of cooking time. 

Drain. 

Heat butter in skillet. 

Add Chicken and cook until browned, stirring often. 

Add soup, milk, cheese, pepper and linguine mixture with broccoli. and heat through. 

Serve with additional cheese.

Thanks to my sister, Jenny for this delicious, easy recipe!

Pasta Bake with Veggies

   I found this recipe a few years back when I quickly had a find a meal to feed an entire family.  This really is SO EASY, and so yummy!  This is a great family meal and has everything all in one. Unless you want some french bread of course!  I hope you enjoy this as much as my family does!

1 package frozen italian veggies, thawed
5 cups cooked pasta
1 jar (28oz) pasta sauce
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated mozz cheese

STIR veggies, pasta, sauce and grated topping together.
SPOON into 13x9 dish, top with cheese.
BAKE at 375 for 20 minutes.

Chicken and Pasta Primavera

    This is a really easy, impressive meal and a nice change to the normal pasta rut I find myself in.  I hope you enjoy this great flavor!

1 TB butter
3/4 lb bonless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 cup water
1/2 dry white wine
1 package KNORR recipe classics spring vegetable soup, dip and recipe mix
1/2 tsp fresh group pepper
8 oz linguine, cooked and drained
grated parmesan cheese

- In a large skillet, melt butter over med heat and cook chicken and garlic for 5 mins.
- Stir in water, wine, recipe mix and pepper.  Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly.  Reduce to low and simmer 5 mins or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
- Toss chicken mixture with hot linguini.  Serve with grated cheese.

Chicken Pasta Salad

This was a extended family dinner mainstay.

It is one of my favorite's during the summer.

I like to make it and save it for lunches for the week.

My hubby likes to just eat a few bites of it through passing. :)

Great meal, side or snack.

4 cups cooked cubed chicken. (I usually just simmer frozen chicken breasts with onion salt)

2 1/2 cups small shelled (uncooked) pasta- cook according to directions. I like spiral pasta however...

2 cups diced celery

2 cups red grapes

2 cups peeled and diced red delicious apples

1/4 cup diced green onions

1 small can crushed pineapple (drained)

2 cups cashews (I don't add this when I prepare it though)

*Mix 1 cup mayo with 1 cup coleslaw dressing. (for a sweeter tasting pasta sauce replaced mayo with miracle whip, I like this better.) Toss with other ingredients.