Tasty Tuesday -- Tortellini Skewers

 

A quick, simple and elegant

appetizer for your holiday table.

 



It's December already?!?! Where has the time gone? With all the rushing around that happens this time of year, I thought you might appreciate a quick and easy crowd-pleasing appetizer to serve up at your next gathering. These are perfect anytime of year, but the colors remind me of Christmas!

Tortellini Skewers

Ingredients
1 pkg cheese tortellini
1 pkg cherry tomatoes
1 pkg turkey pepperoni
1 pkg fresh basil
1/2-3/4 c. Italian Dressing
Extra Long Toothpicks

Directions
Prepare tortellini as directed on package. Place in bowl with cherry tomatoes and pour dressing over. Toss to cover. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Thread pepperoni, tomato, basil and tortellini onto toothpicks. Place on a pretty platter and serve!

Kids and adults like these bitesize little appetizers. So, are you hosting many gathering this year?

 

Tasty Tuesday--Speedy Chicken Stir-Fry

This is a quick meal to throw together on 

busy school nights. With tasty chicken and noodles, 

the whole family will enjoy every bite of it!

This time of year seems to be super hectic. School is in full swing, kids after school activities are going on, holidays (and planning for holidays) are right around the corner. The last thing I have time for is to be in the kitchen for hours making a wholesome dinner.

I love this recipe because it comes together so easily, is inexpensive and I typically have all the ingredients on hand. This meal comes together in less than thirty minutes and is a hit with everyone. We never have leftovers!

Speedy Chicken Stir-Fry

(origin unknown)

Ingredients

8 oz angel hair pasta, uncooked

2 c. broccoli (frozen or fresh)

1 lb chicken, raw and cubed

1/2 c. Asian Sesame Dressing

2 Tbls. Low-sodium soy sauce

1/4 tsp. ground ginger, garlic powder, crushed red pepper

Directions

Cook pasta as directed on package. Add broccoli to pasta water for the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking time.

Spray large non-stick skillet with cooking spray over med-high heat, cook chicken 6-8 minutes or until cooked. Add in dressing and spices and cook for 1 minute.

Drain pasta and broccoli. Add to skillet and toss with chicken. Serve warm.

For a printable version, click HERE.

Well...it's off to another busy week here at our house. My hubby is preparing for a long hunting trip to Missouri, so its just me and the kids for 10 days. Should be interesting!! Make it a great Tuesday!

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Tasty Tuesday -- Not your Grandma's Goulash

When the weather gets colder, I love dishes that remind me of growing up. This recipe is one of those; however, I've adjusted it over the years to tailor it to my picky taste buds. This has become a favorite cold-weather dish for my entire family. It's simple, quick and uses one pan!

Not Your Grandma's Goulash

Ingredients
1/2 pkg egg noodles
3/4 - 1 lb ground beef
1 can tomato soup
Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Salt & Pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan Cheese, optional

Directions
Boil noodles as directed on package, drain. While noodles are cooking, brown ground beef. Sprinkle with spices, as desired. Drain grease if necessasry. Add tomato soup, stir and simmer for 3-5 minutes. Add noodles, stir to combine. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes. Serve warm with garlic toast and your vegetable of choice.

For a printable version, click HERE.

What is one dish that reminds you of your childhood?

Tasty Tuesday! Guest Post- Busy Mom's Helper

Hey, ya'all! I'm Danielle from over at Busy Mom's Helper, and I'm absolutely thrilled to be here with you today!!! I want to share with you one of my favorite pasta recipes. Now, funny back-story: growing up, I never tried Margherita anything (pizza, pasta, etc.) because I assumed it had alcohol in it. Ya, I know, pretty naive. Anywho, the first time I tried Margherita pizza, I was hooked. So delicious! Of course I had to try it with other foods, too, thus leading to this delicious Mama's Margherita Pasta.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it is Just. So. Easy. Seriously! Most of the ingredients are things I keep stocked up on, and when I have a busy night (well, busier), I can just quickly pull this together and we have a nice, filling, delicious home-cooked meal instead of ordering pizza. Again. For like the third time that month. Ya, I have the pizza delivery on speed dial.

Ingredients

1 box (about 13 oz) Penne Pasta noodles

1/4 cup Butter

2 Garlic Cloves, minced

8 oz. Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half

1/4 cup Basil

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded

1/3 cup Romano Cheese, shredded

Directions

Cook pasta according to directions on box. Drain then return to saucepan and keep warm.

In a medium-large skillet, melt the Butter. Add the Garlic and cook about 30 seconds, or until soft and beginning to brown.

Add the Tomatoes and Basil and cook another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Add the Pasta and Cheeses. Stir until all combined and serve while still warm.

Thank you so much for allowing me to guest post. Hope you have a wonderful summer!

Tasty Tuesday -- Pasta Salad

Remember a few weeks ago I participated in a Recipe Swap with Candy Girl? Candy Girl swapped and shared this on my blog. Today I'm sharing what I swapped over on her blog. This is a fresh and light pasta salad. It's a perfect side dish any summertime gatherings you might be attending! This salad is perfect for Spring and Summer, when asparagus is at its prime (and when you need to worry about the salad sitting out for a long time)! I made this for our Mother's Day cookout and it was a hit! Hope you enjoy it!

 

Pasta Salad with Asparagus and Basil Vinaigrette

Adapted from Cook’s Country

Serves 8-10

Ingredients

1 box pasta (any type is fine)

1 lb fresh asparagus

¼ c. pine nuts, toasted

1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 c – ½ c shredded Parmesan cheese

Dressing

6 Tbls. Olive Oil

½ c chopped fresh basil

3 Tbls. Lemon juice

1 shallot, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

½ tsp salt and pepper (each)

 

Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a large bowl (large enough for the pasta salad).

Steam asparagus until tender. I used the Steam Bags, but use your preferred method. When tender, run under cold water. Pat dry. Cut into chunks. Place in bowl with dressing.

Prepare pasta as directed on box. Drain. Toss in bowl with dressing and asparagus.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until chilled. Just before serving, add in pine nuts, tomatoes and Parmesan. Stir to combine. If you make the salad a day in advance, freshen up with a spoonful of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.

This would go perfectly next to hamburgers, grilled chicken or pork chops! So fresh and tasty!

 

Tasty Tuesday--Tortellini Pasta Salad

Whose up for an awesomely easy and tasty pasta dish? This comes together quickly and can be changed up with items you have in your frig or pantry or to your liking! I love the dressing for this salad--it can be used in a variety of different salads, too!
We celebrated my husbands grandparents wedding anniversary over the weekend and this is the dish I brought. I can't believe they've been married for 72 years!

Tortellini Pasta Salad
serves 8-10

2 pkgs Cheese Tortellini, cooked according to package
1/2 pkg cherry tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cucumber, diced
3 green onions, finely chopped
1/2 can black olives, chopped
shredded mozzarella cheese
shredded Parmesan cheese

Dressing
1/4 c. olive oil
1 Tbls + 2 1/4 tsp. Red Wine Vinegar
1 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
minced garlic (to taste)
fresh herbs, minced (I used Italian Parsley)
salt & pepper (to taste)

Combine salad ingredients in large bowl. Whisk dressing ingredients together. Pour dressing over pasta salad. Mix to combine. Chill at least 2 hours before serving. Top with additional herbs and Parmesan cheese.

YUM! This would be great in the Spring or Summer if you grow fresh herbs in your garden.

Thanks for visiting!

Cindy 

Tasty Tuesday--Low-Fat, Easy Baked Chicken Parm

For those of you that are watching your weight or looking for "healthy" and "lighter" alternatives to some yummy comfort food--you're in for a treat. This Low-Fat Baked Chicken Parm is great for the entire family, uses 4 ingredients and comes together easily! You'll want to add this to your dinner rotation!

Low-Fat Baked Chicken Parm
serves 4

Ingredients
4 Chicken Breast, skinless, boneless
1 jar Spaghetti Sauce
4 Tbls Reduced Fat Parm Cheese, divided
1/4 c. Part-Skim Mozzerella Cheese

Directions
Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Pour entire jar of spaghetti sauce in pan. Sprinkle 2 Tbls into the sauce. Take each chicken breast individually and turn into the sauce, covering all sides. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken to cover lightly. Cover pan with tin foil and place in a preheated 375 degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with mozzerella cheese and remaining parm cheese. Put under broiler for 5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. Serve over whole wheat pasta if desired.

Hope you enjoyed this edition of Tasty Tuesday! Feel free to PIN it, share it on Facebook or email it to your friends!

Thanks for visiting!
Cindy

Tasty Tuesday--Creamy Tomato-Basil Pasta with Shrimp

This is a quick weeknight recipe that the whole family will love. You can put this on the table in 20 minutes--perfect for those busy school nights! I originally found this recipe off of the Kraft website, but I modified it to fit our tastes--you could totally do the same.  My daughter isn't a shrimp lover, but agreed that this was tasty! Hope your family enjoys it as much as we did!

Creamy Tomato-Basil Pasta with Shrimp

Crazyloucreations

Ingredients

3 cups pasta, uncooked

¼ c. light balsamic vinaigrette dressing

1 lb. uncooked, peeled, de-veined medium shrimp

1 c. fat-free reduced sodium chicken broth

½ tsp garlic powder and black pepper

4 oz Light Cream Cheese

2 c. grape tomatoes

½ c. shredded Parmesan cheese

8 fresh basil leaves, cut into strips

Directions

Cook pasta as directed.  Meanwhile, heat 2 T. dressing in large skillet on medium heat. Add shrimp; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Remove shrimp from skillet; cover to keep warm. Discard any drippings.

Add remaining dressing, broth and seasonings to skillet; cook 2 minutes or until heated through. Add cream cheese; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until melted. Stir in tomatoes; cook 1 minute.

Drain pasta. Add to ingredients in skillet. Stir in Parmesan and half the basil; top with shrimp and remaining basil.

Enjoy!

Cindy

Tasty Tuesday--Pizza Pasta Salad

We had a family picnic over the weekend to celebrate by hubby's Grandma's 87th birthday. We are so blessed to have her--not only is she the sweetest person around, but earlier this year she was diagnosed with stomach cancer, had surgery and WON! It was a nice family gathering with delicious food! 
My hubs decided which recipe I should make (well, I narrowed down the choices) and this is what he picked! Its super easy and very delicious!

Pizza Pasta Salad 

 

 

serves 10 (or more)

3 cups penne pasta (or your favorite pasta), cooked & cooled
3 small-medium tomatoes, chopped
15 slices hard salami, finely chopped
1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded, cubed or how ever you want it)
1/2 cup fresh basil, sliced
1/2 cup fresh shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup light balsamic vinaigrette dressing
salt & pepper to taste   

Make it:

Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl. Refrigerate for one hour to let the flavors combine. Serve and enjoy!

Original recipe inspiration came from here. I adapted it for our tastes and what I had in my frig!

Next time, I think I will substitute turkey pepperoni for the hard salami.

Try it and let me know what you think!

Cindy