GREEK PASTA SALADCategoriesRecipes
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GREEK PASTA SALAD

yield: 8 

prep time: 10 MINUTES 

cook time: 10 MINUTES 

total time: 20 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE VINAIGRETTE: 

  • 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar 
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 lemon, juiced 
  • ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning 
  • ⅓ cup olive oil 

FOR THE PASTA SALAD:

  • 1 (16 oz.) box pasta*
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 8 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 (5 oz.) jar sliced olives, drained
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • fresh parsley or basil for garnish, if desired

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. In a small bowl, combine the vinaigrette ingredients and whisk to combine.
  2. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the pasta al dente according to the instructions on the package. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. 
  3. Add the vinaigrette to the bowl with the pasta and toss to combine. Add the cherry tomatoes, feta, and olives; toss gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Serve immediately or refrigerate for later. Enjoy chilled or at room temperature. Garnish with freshly sliced parsley or basil before serving, if desired.

NOTES

* Use any short pasta for the recipe: rotini, penne, elbow macaroni, bow ties, etc…

As a shortcut, skip making the dressing from scratch and substitute with 1 cup of Greek salad dressing.

Add anything you like to this pasta salad! Sliced cucumbers, sliced red onions, chopped green pepper, and chickpeas would all be delicious additions.

BBQ-Pasta-SaladCategoriesRecipes
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BBQ MACARONI SALAD

yield: 8-10 SERVINGS

prep time: 15 MINS

cook time: 12 MINS

total time: 27 MINS

INGREDIENTS

  • 8-12 ounces diced ribs or any other meats
  • 1 pound elbow macaroni
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 celery rib, finely chopped
  • 4 green onions, sliced thinly
  • 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup low-fat mayonnaise
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce

INSTRUCTIONS 

  • In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon canola oil over medium heat until shimmering.
  • Add the chopped meat and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
  • Transfer the meat to a paper towel-lined plate and let it cool slightly before using in the recipe.
  • In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil.
  • Add 1 tablespoon salt and the macaroni and cook until nearly tender, about 6 minutes.
  • Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water until cool, draining again briefly.
  • Transfer the moist pasta to a large bowl.
  • Stir in the meat, bell pepper, celery, green onions, vinegar, hot sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
  • Let the pasta sit for about 5 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  • Stir in the mayonnaise and barbecue sauce.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
  • The salad can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 days.
  • Check the seasonings before serving and stir in a few tablespoons of warm water before serving, if needed to bring the salad back to its creamy texture.
goulashCategoriesRecipes
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Easy Goulash Recipe

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time35 mins

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 lbs. ground beef, lean
  • 3 tsp garlic, minced
  • 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
  • 2 15 oz cans petite diced tomatoes
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 3 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
  • 2 tsp seasoned salt
  • 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 2 cups macaroni noodles, uncooked
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

  • Add olive oil to large pot over medium-high heat. Add in the onion, bell pepper and ground beef then cook until beef is no longer pink. Drain any excess fat and return pot to stove top. Add in garlic and stir until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  • Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, bay leaves and dried macaroni noodles. Stir and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a light boil and stir occasionally until the pasta is tender, about 20 minutes.
  • Remove the bay leaves and stir in the cheddar cheese just before serving. Enjoy!
Sausage Macaroni and CheeseCategoriesRecipes
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Sausage Macaroni and Cheese

Yield8 -10 servings

Serving Size1 /8 of Macaroni and Cheese

INGREDIENTS

  • 14-15 ounces dry pasta 
  • 1 pound bulk sausage (any kind)
  • 1/2 medium onion diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk 
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry Italian seasoning
  • 4 cups shredded cheese 
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Optional: preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pan.
  • While the pasta is cooking, cook the sausage over medium heat in a large frying pan. Use a wooden spoon to break up the sausage into small bits. This takes about 5-10 minutes. Drain the fat and set the sausage aside.
  • Using a 3 quart saucepan (or you can use the pan you cooked the sausage in, if it’s deep enough), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute. Stir in the flour completely and cook for 1 minute, then add the milk. Stir to combine the mixture, then add the italian seasoning.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring almost constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 10 minutes or so. It should be the consistency of a creamy soup. Stir in the cheese until melted. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Stir the sausage into the cooked pasta, then stir in the cheese sauce. At this point you can eat it from the pan, or bake it to form a crunchier top (or to keep it warm for company).
  • If baking, place in a 9×13” pan and bake about 15 minutes. You can also just put the oven on low and keep it warm that way.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This can be made one day ahead and reheated in the oven as well.
lazy noodle recipeCategoriesRecipes
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15-MINUTE LAZY NOODLES

PREP:5 minutesCOOK:10 minutesTOTAL:15 minutes

INGREDENTS

  • 12 oz. dried wheat noodles(340g, almost any noodle will do––even spaghetti)
  • ▢1-2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
  • ▢1 pound ground beef (or pork, chicken, or turkey)
  • ▢1 onion (thinly sliced)
  • ▢2 cloves garlic (sliced)
  • ▢3 cups baby spinach
  • ▢salt and pepper
  • ▢3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ▢1 tablespoon dark Soy sauce
  • ▢2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • ▢1 teaspoon honey
  • ▢2 teaspoons chili oil (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil for the noodles. Meanwhile, heat the wok over high heat, and and add a tablespoon or two of oil. Add the ground meat, and stir-fry until browned and slightly crispy.
  • Add the onion and garlic, and continue to cook over high heat until the onions are slightly softened and browned at the edges. Stir in the spinach until it’s just wilted. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the package directions. Add to a bowl, along with the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and chili oil (if using). Toss with the onion, meat, and spinach mixture. Serve!
CategoriesRecipes
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Elbow Pasta and Chicken

Prep Time 20 minutes Servings4 Servings Calories 283 kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 oz. Elbow macaroni or 1 package of precooked Barilla Ready Pasta
  • 1 Tbsp./½ oz. extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup/1 oz. finely chopped garlic
  • 2 Tbsp. capers
  • 1 28 oz. can whole tomatoes – no salt added
  • 2 cups/4 oz. cooked chicken diced
  • 8 cups/8 oz. roughly chopped spinach
  • 1 oz. Mozzarella Cheese

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the Pasta according to package directions. Drain and reserve.
  2. Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and garlic. Cook until aromatic (about 30 seconds).
  3. Add the capers and tomatoes. Use a whisk or a large fork to break up the tomatoes. Heat to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Stir in the spinach and chicken. Heat chicken through and allow the spinach to wilt (about 2 minutes).
  5. Divide between 4 bowls. Grate Cheese over the pasta.