RECIPE # 31- TACO STUFFED SHELLS

I must say that Pinterest is giving me WAY to much inspiration.  Not only are there crafts to do and just pretty things to look at, but there are lots and lots of yummy recipes just waiting for me to cook.  I found this one and it comes from a little blog called Pearls, Handcuffs, Happyhour.  I did a few minor changes to make it better for us, but it was great!

1 lb. ground beef

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 {14 oz.} pkg. cream cheese

12 large pasta shells

1 cup salsa

I cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 chp shredded monterrey jack cheese

1/2 cup tortilla chips, crushed

3 green onions, chopped {we left these out}

1 cup sour cream

In a fry pan cook ground beef and add taco seasoning and prepare according to season package. Add cream cheese cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Blend well. Set aside and allow to fully cool. While the meat is cooking cook the pasta shells.

Pour salsa in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

Stuff each shell with the meat mixture. Place the stuffed shells in the baking dish and cover the tops of the shells with a little salsa.

Cover with foil and bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, uncover, and sprinkle crushed chips and shredded cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses on top. Cook for about 15 more minutes. Serve with sour cream and chopped onions.  Our just about anything that you like with tacos.

**I am thinking that the next time we are just going with the Mexican Blend shredded cheese instead of buying two separate ones.

RECIPE #28 - ZESTY PASTA SALAD

My favorite pasta salad!

Ingredients:

12 oz box of pasta, cooked and drained
16 oz bottle of Zesty Italian Dressing
1 med onion, chopped
2 large cucumbers, diced
28 oz can of diced tomatoes

Pick a pasta, any pasta!  We have done a few different ones but Taft picked today and he liked the bow ties.

While the pasta is boiling, chop the onion and cucumbers.  Place them in a bowl.  Add the canned tomatoes and bottle of dressing.  Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add to the bowl.  Mix well.  Chill and enjoy!

RECIPE #25 - HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE

Ingredients:

2 cups of cooked macaroni, drained

2 Tablespoons butter

2 Tablespoons flour

1/2  tsp Salt

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese

8 oz of sour cream

Preheat over to 450 degrees. Cook and drain macaroni, set aside. In a sauce pan, melt butter.  Add milk and cheese.  Cook over low heat until blended.  Stir in sour cream.  Add macaroni and mix well.  Remove from heat.  Add 2 Tablespoons of flour and mix well.  Pour into a casserole dish.  Top with shredded cheese.  Cook until cheese is melted on top and the casserole is bubbly, about 20 minutes.

RECIPE #20 - CHICKEN STROGANOFF

Ingredients:
2 pounds of boneless chicken breast
1 10 oz can of Cream of Mushroom soup
1 10 oz package of sour cream
Mushrooms (fresh or canned)
Salt and pepper
Garlic
1/2 pound cooked egg noodles

Placed cubed chicken in non-stick skillet with 2 tsp olive oil.  If you are using fresh mushrooms, add these now.  In a large bowl, mix soup and sour cream, salt, pepper, and garlic to taste.  If you are using canned mushrooms, you can add them now.  When chicken is completely cooked, add the mixture to the skillet on low heat to simmer, stir frequently. Also - start your noodles now. 
We prefer to place noodles on the place and put the sauce over.  You can also mix everything together to serve.