Beef Stroganoff (CHRIS)

1 1/2 to 2 pounds of round steak cubed
2 tsp. beef bouillon
1 onion chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 tsp parsley flakes

2 10 oz cans cream of mushroom soup
salt and pepper
1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
1 cup sour cream

Cut steak into 1 inch pieces; place in crockpot, sprinckle bouillon, onions, mushrooms, and parsley flakes over steak.  Spread soup over top, sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Cook on high 3-4 hours or low 7-8 hours.  Stir in Worcestershire sauce and sour cream.  Cook on high 30-60 minutes.  Serve over hot cooked egg noodles or any pasta of your choosing.

Penne with chicken and pesto

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into thin strips
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute chicken and garlic until chicken is almost cooked. Reduce heat and stir in salt, pepper, cream, pesto and Parmesan cheese. Cook until chicken is no longer pink inside. Stir in cooked pasta.

chicken pesto florentine

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into strips
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 1 (4.5 ounce) package dry Alfredo sauce mix
• 2 tablespoons pesto
• 1 (8 ounce) package dry penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon grated Romano cheese

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic, saute for 1 minute; then add chicken and cook for 7 to 8 minutes on each side. When chicken is close to being cooked through (no longer pink inside), add spinach and saute all together for 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, prepare Alfredo sauce according to package directions. When finished, stir in 2 tablespoons pesto; set aside.
3. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain.
4. Add chicken/spinach mixture to pasta, then stir in pesto/Alfredo sauce. Mix well, top with cheese and serve.

Shrimp Pesto

Ingredients

• 1 pound linguine pasta
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup pesto
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in cream, and season with pepper. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Stir Parmesan cheese into cream sauce, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Blend in the pesto, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until thickened.
4. Stir in the shrimp, and cook until they turn pink, about 5 minutes. Serve over the hot linguine.

Greek Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon white sugar
• 2 1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
• 3 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
• 15 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup sliced red bell peppers
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1 (4 ounce) can whole black olives
• 3/4 cup sliced pepperoni sausage, cut into strips

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic powder, basil, oregano, black pepper, and sugar. Add cooked pasta, mushrooms, tomatoes, red peppers, feta cheese, green onions, olives, and pepperoni. Toss until evenly coated. Cover, and chill 2 hours or overnight.

Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• 1 pound seashell pasta
• 1/4 pound Genoa salami, chopped
• 1/4 pound pepperoni sausage, chopped
• 1/2 pound Asiago cheese, diced
• 1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, and cool under cold water.
2. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, salami, pepperoni, Asiago cheese, black olives, red bell pepper, green bell pepper and tomatoes. Stir in the envelope of dressing mix. Cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
3. To prepare the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Just before serving, pour dressing over the salad, and mix well.

A different Macaroni Salad

Ingredients

• 16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
• 4 carrots, shredded
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 2 cups mayonnaise
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water, and drain.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the carrots, red onion, green pepper, red pepper and celery. Mix in the mayonnaise, condensed milk, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add the macaroni, toss gently, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. I usually make this a day ahead of time, and stir it occasionally to blend the flavors. The macaroni will absorb some of the liquid.

Buffalo Chicken Mac

1 pound pasta 

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cut into chunks

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon flour

1 1/2 cups milk

4 ounces grated monterey jack cheese

1/3 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese + more for topping

1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce

1/3 cup panko bread crumbs

salt and pepper to taste

for garnish: 3/4 cup chopped green onions, 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, 1/2 cup gorgonzola cheese, additional buffalo wing sauce

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Prepare water for pasta and cook according to directions.

While pasta is cooking, heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter, and once it’s melted and bubbly add the flour. Whisk together to create a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes until mixture gets a bit golden in color. Add milk, stir and turn down heat to low. Continue stirring until milk thickens. Add in grated cheeses and continue to stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in buffalo wing sauce. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.

Spray a baking dish (9 x 13 is fine, I used a round 4-inch deep dish) with non-stick spray. Add pasta and chicken, then pour cheese sauce over and mix throughly until everything is coated. Sprinkle with additional grated cheese and bread crumbs. Bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is golden brown. Remove from oven and immediately top with gorgonzola, green onions and cilantro. Drizzle with buffalo wing sauce.

Crockpot Lasagna

Ingredients

• 1 pound (16 ounces) ground beef
• 1/2 cup diced white onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 whole egg
• 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 6 uncooked lasagna noodles

Directions

1. 1In a large skillet brown beef and onion. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Drain.
2. 2Add spaghetti sauce and water and simmer for about 5 minutes.
3. 3Mix ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 2 Tablespoons Parmesan, egg and parsley.
4. 4Pour 1 cup of spaghetti meat sauce into a 4 to 6 quart sized slow cooker. Place half of the noodles and half of the ricotta mixture on top of the sauce. Cover with 2 cups meat sauce. Top with remaining noodles (If the noodles don't fit exactly break them to fit) and cheese mixture and meat sauce.
5. 5Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or until noodles are soft. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella and remaining parmesan. Cover with the lid to melt the cheese and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.
6. 6Do not overcook and don't try to speed up the process by cooking it on high.
7. 7*Works best with a 4 to 6 quart size slow cooker.