Italian Pasta Salad

Any time I prepare my

Parmesan Chicken Strips

it's a given that I'm going to make this pasta salad

as the perfect side dish.

Then I make some garlic bread,

and call it a meal!
Simple recipes, easy to prepare,

very filling and taste so good!

Italian Pasta Salad

16 oz pkg Garden Rotini pasta

1 1/2 cups Zesty Italian Dressing

2.25 oz can chopped black olives

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Prepare pasta according to package directions, 

drain and rinse with cool water.

Pour pasta in to a medium size bowl.

Add dressing and olives.

Place in refrigerator for 30 min to an hour to chill.

Just before serving add parmesan cheese.

And that's it!

Mamaw's Fruit Salad

When I was in my younger years, I would spend a week or two at my Mamaw's house during summer break. Every time I was there she would make this delicious fruit salad for me. As a matter of fact, I believe she made this fruit salad every time we had a family gathering at her house. 

(I would just like to think that it was made especially for me.)
I could make a meal out of this delicious salad...but my Mamaw wouldn't have that. 

I had to eat my meat and veggies first!

It's perfect with Easter dinner, along side a BBQ in the summer time, 

or Turkey and Dressing at Thanksgiving or Christmas. 

Mamaw's Fruit Salad

30 oz can fruit cocktail, drained

11 oz can mandarin oranges, drained

2 bananas, sliced 1/2 in thick

1 cup whipped cream

1/2 cup coconut flakes

1/2 - 1 cup mini marshmallows

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Mix fruit cocktail, oranges, banana's and whipped cream.

Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until all is combined and covered with whipped cream. 

Refrigerate for approx 30 minutes before serving. 

And that's it!

Don't you just love easy recipes like Mamaw used to make?

Pasta Taco Salad

 

 From one of my new favorite cookbooks!!

 

Pasta Taco Salad

3 cups rotini pasta, uncooked

1 lb ground beef

1 1/4 oz pkg taco seasoning mix

7 cups lettuce, torn

2 tomatoes, chopped

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups nacho-flavored tortilla chips, crushed

Dressing:

1 1/4 cup mayonnaise

3 T milk

3 3/4 tsp cider vinegar

3 3/4 tsp sugar

1 TBSP dry mustard

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water.

Meanwhile, brown beef in a skillet; drain.

Add Taco Seasoning and cook according to pkg directions.

Mix all dressing ingredients together. 

Stir until combined and dressing is smooth and creamy.

 

In a large bowl, combine pasta, beef and dressing. 

Toss until coated.

 

The recipe says:

Add lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. 

Toss to combine.

Sprinkle with tortilla chips.

 Now, this is where I did things a little different than the recipe...

I put the lettuce on the plate first, 

instead of adding it to the pasta and beef mixture. 

I knew by looking at it, we would have left overs and we didn't want wilted lettuce when we reheated it. 

We also added the cheese on top of the pasta and beef mixture. 

Some of us like more or less cheese than the other.

This way, we can add the amount of cheese that we prefer. 

Also....one more thing....because we normally add Salsa, 

I omitted the tomatoes!

The hubby and son also added sour cream.

 Very tasty!
The dressing really adds the flavor to this recipe! 
We loved it!!

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

This is another recipe that you will find several different versions for. 

I found a recipe for this salad years ago and altered it to my family's tastes...which I do a lot. 

Not everyone likes the same ingredients, so I usually modify most of the recipes 

I try so everyone will like it. 

This is a good healthy salad that I make a lot. 

You can alternate the sugar for a sugar substitute. 

I've used Splenda before and it was just as good as it is with sugar. 

Most of my family prefers it with the 'real' sugar, so that's what I used most. 

Regardless...it's one of the most delicious recipes I make!

 This recipe can easily be cut in half!

Broccoli Cauliflower Salad

 1 head of cauliflower, cut in to bite size pieces

1 bunch of broccoli (3 cups) cut in to bite size pieces

1 lb cheddar cheese, cut in to 1/2 inch cubes

1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 cup green onions, cut in to 1/2 to 1 inches pieces

1 cup mayonnaise (I use Miracle Whip light)

3 tsp white vinegar

2 TBSP sugar or Splenda

Put all the veggies, bacon and cheese in a large bowl.

Mix together mayo, vinegar and sugar. 

Using a whisk or fork, stir until mixed together and creamy.

Add dressing to veggies and stir until it's all combined.

If you need to refrigerate it for later, 

wait until then to add the cheese to avoid it being too soft. 

And that's it...

how simple is that?

As easy as it is...

it's one of my most requested recipes!