Confetti Penne Pasta

I got this one from Ashlee too, and I think she got it off of the box of pasta...but who cares where you get it, right?

Confetti Penne Pasta
12 oz. Penne
1/3 c. olive oil
1 tbsp. chopped garlic or 1 tsp. garlic powder
3/4 c. red bell pepper, diced
3/4 c. celery, diced
1 c. fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 tsp. lemon pepper
2 c. cooked broccoli
1 lb. cooked chicken, diced
1 c. chicken broth

Cook penne according to directions. In large skillet, heat oil to medium. Add garlic, red pepper, celery, mushrooms & Lemon pepper. Cook until tender, about 5 min. Add cooked pasta, broccoli, chicken & chicken broth. Toss to heat through & serve immediately.

When we made it, we omitted the mushrooms (didn't have any!) and added more lemon pepper.

Ranch Pasta Salad

This one if from Mom, she's always got the best ones!

Ranch Pasta Salad
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 c. peas
1 c. chopped celery
1 c. chopped carrots
1/8 c. chopped onion
1 c. cooked and crumbled bacon
3 c. dried pasta (tri-color twirly kind)
1 c. ranch dressing

Combine!

Tortellini, Broccoli & Bacon Salad

I got this recipe out of a magazine, it's yummy! The coleslaw dressing recipe if from my Great Grandma Frankie.

Tortellini, Broccoli & Bacon Salad

1-19 oz bag frozen 3 cheese tortellini
2-C. broccoli florets (fresh)
1 C Cherry tomatoes, cut in 1/2
1 tbsp. chopped fresh chives
1/2 recipe coleslaw dressing
1/2 lb bacon, cooked & crumbled
sunflower nuts

-cook & drain tortellini according to package directions. Rinse w/cold water.-in large bowl, mix all ingredients except bacon & sunflower nuts. Cover & refrigerate for at least 1 hour to blend flavors. Just before serving, stir in bacon & sprinkle w/nuts.

Coleslaw Dressing
1/2 med. onion
1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 tsp mustard
1 tsp salt
1/4 c. vinegar

put in blender till smooth, slowly add 1 c oil. add 1 tsp celery or caraway seed.

Oriental Chicken Salad

I got this recipe from my Mom, and this is Dustin's FAVORITE salad ever. I make a batch of it, and it usually doesn't last more than 12 hours. So, if I'm making it to take somewhere, I have to make a double batch and indicate which bowl he's not allowed to touch. The great thing is, Mya loves it too.

Oriental Chicken Salad

1 lb. shredded cabbage (16oz.)

1-2 lbs. cooked, chopped chicken

2-3 green onions, chopped

2 tbsp. sliced almonds

2 tbsp. sesame seeds

1 pkg. chicken ramen noodles, broken up

Sauce:

1/2 c. oil

2 tbsp. sugar

3 tbsp. vinegar

seasoning packet from noodles

Mix everything together, let sit for an hour for flavors to blend. If you want your noodles crispy, wait to add them until serving. Dustin doesn't usually wait the hour, and it still tastes great!