Cheesy Tortellini Bake

Olive Oil
2 cups marinara or alfredo sauce
1/3 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsely leaves
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme (I don't like dried thyme it in!)
1 lb cheese tortellini
2 oz smoked mozzarella (I just use normal mozzarella)
1/4 cup grated parmesan

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly oil an 8x8" baking dish.

Whisk the sauce, cream cheese, parsley and thyme in a large bowl to blend. Cook the tortellini in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 2 minutes. Drain. Add the tortellini to the sauce and toss to coat. Transfer the tortellini mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top the mixture with the smoked mozzarella and parmesan. Cover and bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheese is melted. About 30 minutes.

Pudding Fruit Salad

1 lg. box instant pudding (vanilla or banana)
1/2 c. milk
1 can pineapple chunks
1 can mandrine oranges
3 bananas, sliced
1/2 c. coconut
8oz coolwhip
1 c. mini marshmellows
cherries (opt)

Mix pudding and coolwhip with milk. Mix until stiff. Add fruit and coconut. Top with cherries.

Chex Mix

(Tracy's recipe - from family party)

small box (12oz) rice chex
1 c. karo syrup
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soday
Cashews or other nuts
M&M's

Melt butter, sugar, and karo syrup in large bowl in the microwave. About 3 minutes. Stir.

Add baking soda and still well. Microwave 1 more minute. Stir and add rice chex. Wait to add M&M's until cool.

Apple Dip

(Tracy's Recipe - from the family party)

8oz cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. toffee bits

Mix everything together until creamy.

Homemade Ice Cream

1 Sandwich resealable bag
2 Tbsp of strawberry Nesquick, OR 1 tsp. vanilla, OR 2 Tbsp. Chocolate Syrup
1 Tbsp. sugar (1 1/2 Tbsp for vanilla)
1/2 c. milk
1 gallon size bag
4-5 handfuls ice
1/4 c. salt

Place ice and salt in gallon bag.

Put the flavor of choice (strawberry, vanilla, or chocolate), sugar, and milk in sandwich bag. Seal the bag trying to get most of the air out. Place bag in gallon bag and seal.

Place the bags on counter and turn bag repeatedly until mixture is firm. Serve in bowl.

Spicy Oven Fries

2 potatoes
1 tbsp. parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. oregano
1/8 tsp. onion salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
1/8 tsp. chili pepper
1 dash cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1. Preheat oven to 450 F
2. Scrub potatoes and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Cut potatoes into thin 1/4 inch lengthwise strips.
4. Mix all seasonings together in a bowl.
5. Place potatoes and seasonings together in a large bowl and toss together.
6. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on a large baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. (Or you may use parchment paper.)
7. Bake in oven for 12 minutes. Turn potatoes and bake another 12 minutes.

Microwavable Cakes

Caramel Turtle Cake
Mix together in a small (cereal size) bowl and stir for one minute:
1/2 c. yellow cake mix
1/3 c. water
1/2 tsp. powdered sugar
Microwave approximately 90 seconds.
Top warm cake with:
Chopped nuts
Chocolate chips
Caramel Topping

Snickers Bar Cake
Mix together in a small (cereal size) bowl and stir for one minute:
1/2 c. chocolate cake mix
1/3 c. water
Microwave approximately 90 seconds.
Chop up small snickers candy bar and sprinkle pieces on top of warm cake.
Drizzle chocolate syrup and microwave an additional 10 seconds.

Oreo Cookie Cake
Mix together in a small (cereal size) bowl and stir for one minute:
1/2 c. white cake mix
1/3 c. water
Microwave approximately 95 seconds.
Sprinkle crushed oreo cookie on top and garnish with whipped topping.

Zesy Rice with Sausage

Zesty Rice with Sausage

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 package sausage (like used in jambalaya)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can chicken broth
½ cup salsa
¾ cup uncooked white race
½ cup frozen peas

Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onion and garlic and cook until onion is tender.
Add broth, salsa and rice. Heat to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat 15 minutes. Stir in peas. Cover and cook 5 minutes or until rice is done.