Pasta Salad Dinner - light and yummy!

 

INGREDIENTS:

 

1 - 12 oz. package of rainbow pasta

1 – 12 oz package of bow tie pasta

1 – lb seedless red grapes, halved

1 can mandarin oranges, drained

1 large can pineapple tidbits, drained

1 package craisens

1 can whole cashews

1 bottle Kraft coleslaw dressing

1 cup mayonnaise

 

DIRECTIONS:

 

·      Cook pasta according to package, drain and run under cold water

·      Add all fruits to cooled pasta

·      Mix coleslaw dressing and mayo together in a separate bowl

·      Add dressing and cashews.  Serve

·      (You may add diced chicken or ham to make a main dish)

Cheese Spinach Bake

Ingredients:

3 medium eggs, beaten.
20 oz of frozen chopped spinach.
4 oz of cheddar cheese, grated.
1 cup of cottage cheese.
¼ cup of butter, softened.
2 teaspoons of flour.
Salt and pepper.

Preparation Instructions:

Cook the spinach as directed on its packaging, then drain.

Mix the spinach, cottage cheese, cheddar, butter, eggs, flour, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix throughly.

Spoon into a greased baking dish and Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50-60 minutes.

Onion Soup w/ Sausage

Ingredients: 

1/2 pound pork sausage links, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms

1 cup sliced onion

2 cans beef broth

4 slices Italian bread

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, (shredded)

Directions:

In a large saucepan, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.  Add mushrooms and onion; cook for 4-6 minutes or until tender.  Stir in the broth.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 4-6 minutes or until heated through.

Ladle soup into four 2-cup ovenproof bowls.  Top each with a slice of bread; sprinkle with cheese.  Broil until cheese is melted.

7-day meal plan

Having my sis-in-law and her two boys move in has thrown me for a loop!  It's like having triplets and a 6-year old!  But it is fun, a little expensive, and I have been forced to get back into the swing of planning out the week before shopping.  Here is the meal plan for the next 7 days.

Saturday:  Onion Soup with Sausage

Side:  French Bread

Sunday:  New York Steak (grilled)

Side:  Baked potatoes and creamy spinach salad

Monday:  Fish Sandwiches

Side:  Tater Tots  (This meal is JUST for the kids!!)

Tuesday:  Mongolian Beef (Hamburger Helper... I like to add 1/2 cup cashews per box)

Side:  Egg rolls

Wednesday:  Pasta Salad with chicken strips  

Side:  Rolls

Thursday:  Apple Pork Chops

Side:  Spinach bake

Friday:  Sauerkrat and Brats

Side:  Biscuits and fresh spinach salad

**As you may have noticed, spinach is on the menu a LOT!!!  I cut and filled 5 gallon bags of fresh spinach from my garden yesterday.  So, if you live nearby... come over!