Chicken and Ranch Pasta Salad

Doesn't Ranch make everything better!  This dish goes along way and can be eaten warm or cold.

Ingredients:
3-4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
Container of Cherry Tomatoes
Bundle of Green Onions
Hidden Valley Ranch Packet
8 oz Tub of Light Sour Cream
Box of Bow Tie Pasta


Directions:

Cook Pasta as directed.  Dice chicken and sear in pan until no longer pink.  Mix Hidden Valley Ranch packet as directed.  Chop tomatoes and onions.  Combine ingredients with cooked and drained pasta.  Serve warm or chill and serve.  Will be great the next day for lunch, too!

Shrimp Pasta

This is a fantastic meal idea to add some variety to our pork, chicken, turkey regiment!

Ingredients:
1 bag frozen shrimp (you can catch these on a BOGO deal at Kroger many times)
8 oz tub of plain fat free yogurt
8 oz tub of light sour cream
onions
olive oil
garlic salt
Angel Hair Pasta

Directions:
Cook pasta according to box directions.  Thaw Shrimp.  Sautee Onion in pan with Olive Oil and add garlic salt.  Once onions are translucent, add peeled and de-veined shrimp and cook until pink.  Add in yogurt and sour cream and add garlic salt and pepper to taste.  Stir until creamy and serve over noodles.

This is a $9 family meal if you catch the shrimp on sale.  That doesn't include the garlic salt or pepper which is a staple in my house.  You can add a bad of steamed broccoli ($1.25-$1.50) as a side dish.

Teriyaki Pork and Rice Noodles

Ingredients:
Ramen Noodles
4 Thin Cut Boneless Pork Chops
Zucchini
Green Onions
Sesame Oil
Teriyaki Sauce

Directions:
Slice and Dice Zucchini and Onions - Sautee in Sesame Oil. Cook Ramen Noodles according to package - throw out seasoning.  Pan Sear Pork, then dice - put back in pan and add teriyaki sauce to coat.  Once Meat is cooked thoroughly and vegetables are softened, drain noodles and combine.  Makes a delish Asian dish!

This meal cost approx. $7.50 to make - you may have to buy sesame oil and teriyaki sauce additionally, but it will last you many meals!

Chicken Enchiladas and Corn Advacado Salad

Chicken Enchiladas
Ingredients:
10 tortillas
4 chicken breast (cooked and shredded)
1 Can of Black Beans OR Pinto Beans
2 Cans of Enchilada Sauce
1 block of cream cheese
2 cups Shredded Cheddar

Directions:
Cook and Shred Chicken, add cream cheese and 1 can of enchilada sauce - stir until creamy, then add beans.  Spoon mixture into each tortilla, roll, and place in glass casserole dish (seam down) - repeat - I can usually fit 5 enchiladas in a dish, so 2 will be needed.  Cover with other can of enchilada sauce and sprinkle with cheese.  Bake for 25 min. at 350 degrees.

Corn Advacado Salad
Ingredients:
2 cans of Mexican corn
1 Advacado - peeled and diced

Directions - Mix and Serve

This is a $12.50 meal - it makes enough for 2 meals for my family of 5 - kids usually just eat a half of one.  DELICIOUS!

Must Have Ingredients

I keep a few key ingredients on hand at all times - whether it be in my freezer or pantry.  Here are a few:

Frozen Chicken Breast
Frozen Mixed Vegetables (usually a stir fry blend)
Ground Meat (I use Turkey or Pork)
Soy Sauce
Red Wine Vinegar
Flour
Rice
Variety of Canned Beans