pasta salad from the box is really good for hot summer months when you need something to go with dinner in a pinch.  i decided to kick it up a notch and make it from scratch.  it’s my first pasta salad (other than making mom’s pasta crab salad, which is something that i’ll have to add soon!)

• 1 12 oz. box whole wheat pasta
• 10 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
• 1 c mayo
• 1 pkg. ranch dressing mix
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 c milk
• 1 pkg. cherry tomatoes
• 1 c shredded cheddar cheese

1. bring a large pot of water to boil and cook pasta until al dente.  drain and rinse with cool water.
2. in a large bowl, mix mayo, ranch dressing mix, garlic powder and pepper.  stir in milk until smooth.
3. 15 min. before serving, place pasta, bacon, tomato, cheese and coat with dressing. keep chilled until ready to serve.

enjoy!

bran came over and made dinner last night!  she found this dandy of a recipe from publix and it was delicious… not very nutritious, but our healthy sides made up for it.  i sautéed  broccoli with red pepper flakes, minced garlic and evoo and we also made a spinach salad with mandarin oranges, pecans and ken’s fat free raspberry pecan dressing.  we also threw in some garlic breadsticks.  now onto the main course…

• 1/4 c roasted red peppers
• 1/4 c sun dried tomatoes
• 6 slices smoked bacon
• 1 lb. boneless chicken tenders
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 c pre-sliced green onions, divided
• 8 oz. linguine pasta (bran went for a whole wheat and linguine florentine combination)
• 1 1/2 jars of alfredo sauce (bran used classico sun dried tomato alfredo)

1. bring water to a boil for pasta.  add salt, evoo and oregano flakes to water.  coarsely chop red peppers.  cut bacon into bite size pieces.  cut chicken into 1 inch chunks, sprinkle with season salt.
2. preheat large sauté pan on medium high for 2-3 min.  place bacon and 2 tbsp green onions in pan; cook and stir 4-5 min. or until bacon begins to brown.
3. cook pasta following pasta following package instructions.  add chicken to bacon; cook and stir 4-5 min.
4. reduce heat (on chicken) to low.  stir in alfredo sauce, red peppers, sundried tomatoes and 2 tbsp green onions; cover and cook 4-5 min. or until heated.  drain pasta; stir into chicken.  serve.

thanks for dinner bran!

enjoy!