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Shells and Cheese

Shells and Cheese is a cheesy dinner made only 3 main ingredients! Enjoy this pasta made with evaporated milk, shredded cheddar cheese and pasta shells that is even easier than box macaroni and cheese. 

Macaroni and cheese is LIFE. Seriously. It has been my favorite food since I can remember. My grandmother would actually make the boxed stuff for me when I visited and used TWO packets of cheese sauce instead of one because I am such a mac’n’cheese-aholic. No, that probably isn’t a real condition but it is the best way to explain my love for the dish. Macaroni and cheese doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. Sometimes simplicity is best! 

Shells and Cheese

Shells and Cheese are creamy (so deliciously creamy) and perfectly cheesy. Roasted Lemon Garlic Parmesan Broccoli is a great side dish to pair. If you are feeding a crowd, grilled chicken is also a great option. 

Tips & Tricks

Pasta

You are not constricted to just use shells for pasta in this dish. You can make a more classic macaroni and cheese with elbow macaroni or try a penne or whatever pasta your family loves. This recipe will work with a pound of any dry pasta! So, yes you can totally just yank out whatever pasta is in the pantry today and cook this up. 

Shells and Cheese, macaroni and cheese, mac 'n'cheese, stove top macaroni and cheese, kid friendly recipe, pasta dinner
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Shells and Cheese

Shells and Cheese is a cheesy dinner made only 3 main ingredients! Enjoy this pasta made with evaporated milk, shredded cheddar cheese and pasta shells that is even easier than box macaroni and cheese. 
Course dinner
Keyword cheese, Pasta, side
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces evaporated milk
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 16 ounces pasta
  • 4 cups water
  • salt

Instructions

  • Bring water, evaporated milk and a pinch of salt to a boil in a large skillet or pan.
  • Add pasta and let simmer uncovered until el dente. This should take about 10 minutes but will vary depending on pasta used.
  • Remove from heat and stir in cheese. Do not drain the pasta.
  • Serve.

Avocado Breakfast Boats

This post has been sponsored by Sargento. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 
 

Avocado Breakfast Boats are a beautiful yet quick meal made with fresh avocado, scrambled eggs, crispy pieces of bacon, diced tomato and Sargento Shreds​® Reserve Series™ 18 month aged Cheddar. 

 
 
A great breakfast starts with fresh ingredients, has amazing flavor, and can be cooked up quickly for busy mornings. Avocado Breakfast Boats are all of those things PLUS they are gorgeous! Gorgeous enough that I would feed these to guests staying over or for a brunch party because although simple, these avocado boats are impressive on taste and appealing as they are bursting in color. 
 
 

Meijer is my favorite grocer to shop at for everything from fresh produce to affordable beauty products. This cutting board photographed is even a Meijer find. I enjoy my weekly shopping trip at Meijer because I can pick up whatever my family needs in one stop and the prices are unbeatable! Not to mention, Meijer is always on top of what is new, like these Sargento Shredded Cheese packs. 

Save $.75 off 1 Sargento Shredded Cheese Package with mPerks! 

Sargento Shredded Cheese

Sargento has some new cheese cuts available at Meijer. Sargento Shreds​® Reserve Series includes a 14 month aged Parmesan, 6 month aged Gouda, an Italian blend, and 18 month aged Cheddar. All these Sargento cheeses are aged, adding more intense flavor to any dish with that extra punch of cheese. Everything is just a little better with one of these delicious Sargento Shredded Cheese varieties. 

Avocado Breakfast Boats

Avocado Breakfast Boats provide a healthy, balanced breakfast that is fresh and delicious. You get a buttery texture with the avocado, something creamy with perfectly scrambled eggs, a crispness with bacon, a pop of color with the tomato, and a sharpness with the Sargento Shredded Cheese. A combination that will make your taste buds do a happy dance. 
 

Tips & Tricks

Ripe Avocado

These tips and tricks can help determine if your avocado is ready to eat! Be aware that avocados have a small window of that perfect ripeness, so ripe today may mean overripe tomorrow. 

Color

A dull, dark brown-purplish color is an indication that your avocado is ripe. Bright green is an indication it is not quite there yet. I typically buy my avocados with a vibrant green tint so they will be ripe in a couple days when I plan to eat them. Note that this color rule doesn’t always apply and all three tips of picking the best avocado should be used. 

Feel

Rock hard avocados are not yet ripe while mushy are overripe. You want something in between. The avocado should be firm but have a little give when gently squeezed. 

Flick The Stem

Flicking the stem off the avocado is, in my opinion, the best way to determine the ripeness of an avocado. By removing the little stem attached to the fruit, you get to see the color your avocado is. You want to see a beautiful green color once that stem is removed. Brown is an indication that the avocado is overripe. 

How to Make Perfect Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs should be light, moist, and creamy, seasoned with minimal seasoning of salt and pepper. Sargento Shredded Cheese adds richness and texture. 

Non-stick 

Cook with a non-stick skillet. This makes cooking and clean up easy peasy. Butter also helps the eggs not to stick and adds flavor. Let the butter melt completely, then add the egg. Then, use a spatula to turn the egg. 

Low Heat

A low to medium-low heat is just right. Cooking on a high temperature can burn the eggs or cook them too quickly. 

Whisk It Good

Use a whisk to beat the eggs in a small bowl before cooking. Beat the eggs until yolk and whites are fully combined and there is consistency.    

Cook Time

Even on a low heat, scrambled eggs only take about a minute to cook. The eggs should look slightly runny when removed from the heat because they will continue to cook. Over-cooked eggs can taste rubbery and dry oppose to creamy and soft. 

#ad, Avocado Breakfast Boats, avocado recipes, breakfast recipe, brunch recipe, avocado breakfast, healthy breakfast recipe, how to cook scrambled eggs, Sargento Cheddar Cheese
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Avocado Breakfast Boats

Avocado Breakfast Boats are a beautiful, yet quick meal made with fresh avocado, scrambled eggs, crispy pieces of bacon, diced tomato and Sargento Shreds​® Reserve Series 18 month aged Cheddar. 
Course Breakfast
Keyword avocado, bacon, breakfast, brunch, egg
Prep Time 6 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 3-4 Tablespoons Sargento Shreds​® Reserve Series 18 month aged Cheddar
  • 2 Avocados
  • 2 slices Bacon diced
  • 4 Eggs large
  • 1 Tomato diced
  • 1 Tablespoon Butter
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Parsley optional garnish

Instructions

  • Wash outside of the avocados. Cut the avocados in half and dispose of the pit. Scoop out a little bit of the avocado with a spoon and dice the part you removed. Place to the side. The section with the shell will be your avocado boat.
  • Wash and chop the tomato. Place to the side. 
  • Dice the bacon. Cook bacon pieces on a medium-high heat in a non-stick pan for 3 minutes or until at your desired crispness. 
  • Remove bacon from and place on a paper towel. Place to the side while you cook the eggs. Wipe the non stick pan out clean with a paper towel to remove bacon grease.
  • Place the pan back on stove on a low-medium heat. Add 1 Tablespoon butter . 
  • Beat your eggs in a small bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add eggs pan once the butter has melted. Use a spatula to mix the eggs until they become silky and slightly runny. This should take about one minute. Remove from heat and add 2 Tablespoons Sargento Shreds​® Reserve Series 18 month aged Cheddar and the crispy bacon pieces. Mix together and spoon into the avocado boats. 
  • Add a little more salt and pepper, a pinch more Sargento Shreds​® Reserve Series 18 month aged Cheddar, the diced tomato and avocado, any leftover bacon crumbles all on top. 
  • Serve with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. 
 
What clever ways will you use new Sargento Shreds​® Reserve Series 18 month aged Cheddar in your breakfast? A delicious omelette? A hearty breakfast casserole? Let me know in the comments below and tell me why you love shopping at Meijer. 
 
 

Roasted Lemon Garlic Parmesan Broccoli

Roasted Lemon Garlic Parmesan Broccoli is made with fresh broccoli florets, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, cracked pepper and olive oil.

Roasting vegetables is my jam. You can see how to roast green beans with this Roasted Green Beans recipe or try some Roasted Lemon Asparagus. Tossing some vegetables in the oven with some olive oil and seasonings is just so easy and so tasty! These Roasted Lemon Garlic Parmesan Broccoli are no exceptional.

Roasted Lemon Garlic Parmesan Broccoli

Roasted Lemon Garlic Parmesan Broccoli have a nice flavor of lemon with the freshly squeezed lemon and after baking, get tossed in with some shredded Parmesan cheese for a nutty note. You can makes this side dish with ANY entree you like! I recommend the Creamy Honey Mustard Chicken with mashed potatoes and this yummy broccoli.

Tips & Tricks

Don’t overcook the broccoli- keep green and crisp to ensure you are getting all the nutrition from the vegetable. After all, broccoli is said to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet full of Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Folate (that’s just the beginning). Loaded with fiber for digestive health and could even help lower your risk of cancer. You should be feeding your family this stuff regularly!

Roasted Lemon Garlic Parmesan Broccoli, side dish, how to roast broccoli, parmesan broccoli, how to cook broccoli
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Roasted Lemon Garlic Parmesan Broccoli

Roasted Lemon Garlic Parmesan Broccoli is made with fresh broccoli florets, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, cracked pepper and olive oil. 
Course Side Dish
Keyword broccoli
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 1 pound broccoli florets
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • ground pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees. 
  • Rinse your broccoli and chop into bite sized pieces. Place on a baking sheet. 
  • Drizzle with olive oil. 
  • Add some freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon). 
  • Minced garlic and add on top. Mix all the ingredients together so each broccoli is covered. 
  • Sprinkle on a little black pepper and cook in the oven for 14-16 minutes, flipping half way through cooking. 
  • Remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. 
  • Serve. 

Hash Brown Casserole

Hash Brown Casserole is a delicious side dish made with hash browns, onion, garlic powder, condensed soups, sour cream and cheddar cheese.

Hash Brown Casserole is one of those dishes everyone has probably had at one point or another. Cracker Barrel makes a delicious one and it is a frequent favorite for gatherings, pot lucks and holidays. We even like to make this side dish with a Sunday ham and eat leftovers through the week! Everyone should also have a good recipe to make a Hash Brown Casserole because it is a great go-to and so cravable!

Hash Brown Casserole

Hash Brown Casserole is really creamy and cheesy.  This recipe makes 12 servings but you could even push it to feed a few more people so it is perfect for feeding a large crowd.

Tips & Tricks

This Hash Brown Casserole is so easy to make that any could toss it together! The only tip I have is that if you cannot find a cream of cheddar, you can substitute it for another can of cream of chicken.

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Hash Brown Casserole

Hash Brown Casserole is a delicious side dish made with hash browns, onion, garlic powder, condensed soups, sour cream and cheddar cheese. 
Course Side Dish
Keyword hash brown casserole
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 servings
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 32 ounces frozen hash browns defrosted
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 10 ounces cream of cheddar
  • 10 ounces cream of chicken
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • 1/2 onion finely diced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • parsley garnish optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
  • Dice the onion. 
  • In a large bowl, mix cream of cheddar, cream of chicken, diced onion, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese together. 
  • Add the melted butter and hash browns. Mix thoroughly. 
  • Place the mix into a large casserole dish and sprinkle the remainder of the cheese over top. 
  • Bake for 45-55 minutes. The cheese on top should just begin to brown. 
  • Let cool for 5 minutes and serve. 

 

Chicken Enchilada Dip

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Chicken Enchilada Dip

Chicken Enchilada Dip is a fun way to enjoy all the deliciousness of enchiladas in appetizer form made with shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, taco seasoning and loads of cheese.

Chicken Enchilada Dip is one of those “anytime, anywhere” sort of dips. It’s good on game day or while entertaining friends or because it’s Saturday and your hungry for enchiladas. It is just so gooood and a big hit while entertaining – make it for your friends only if you want to be stuck making this every time you see them there after.

I enjoy eating this with pretzel crisps but any sort of tortilla or cracker will be great. The Snack Factory Pretzel Crisp Buffalo Wing flavor is amazing for an extra kick of flavor with this!


Chicken Enchilada Dip

Chicken Enchilada Dip is really easy to toss together. You do need to cook a chicken breast beforehand which can be something leftover, poached quickly or as I like to do which is cooked in a crockpot until fully cooked and shreds easily. I also like to get the cream cheese really creamy by beating it with a hand mixer, followed by adding the taco seasoning, cheese and enchilada sauce. This helps get a consistent flavor throughout the entire dish to ensure every single bite is tasty as can be!

chicken enchilada dip, game day dip, chicken appetizer recipe, enchilada
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Chicken Enchilada Dip

Chicken Enchilada Dip is a fun way to enjoy all the deliciousness of enchiladas in appetizer form made with shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, taco seasoning and loads of cheese. 
Cook Time 25 minutes
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces enchilada sauce
  • 15 ounces black beans drained
  • 15 ounces corn drained
  • 1 cooked chicken breast shredded
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese shredded
  • cilantro garnish
  • tortilla chips or pretzels crisps

Instructions

  • Cook the chicken. You can poach the chicken, use some leftover rotisserie or what I did which is place in the crockpot for a few hours. Shred the chicken breast. 
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
  • In a medium mixing bowl, add cream cheese and taco seasoning. Use a hand mixer to beat until creamy. Add the enchilada sauce and HALF the shredded cheese. Beat again. Stir in the drained corn and beans. Transfer to a casserole dish. 
  • Flatten the top and sprinkle on the other half of shredded cheese. 
  • Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes. The top should start to brown and bubble. 
  • Sprinkle fresh cilantro over top and serve with tortilla chips or pretzel crisps. 

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich is a delicious switch up from a classic grilled cheese sandwich made with pepperoni, Italian bread, pizza sauce and fresh mozzarella.

I am bringing out my inner child a bit with this recipe. Pepperoni pizza and grilled cheese are two items I loved as a kid and foods that my both children eat without complaints! Okay, minimal complaints. The fusion of the two is really fun and completely delicious.

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich

The perfect grilled cheese starts with a properly heated pan. Make sure your pan is preheated on a medium heat before cooking. For that nice golden brown on the bread, let each side cook until you hear that sizzle stop. Once that sizzling stops, wait just a few seconds and then flip.

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese
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Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich, mozzarella, pepperoni, pizza recipe, grilled cheese recipe, quick family dinner

Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese is a delicious switch up from a classic grilled cheese sandwich made with pepperoni, Italian bread, pizza sauce and fresh mozzarella. 

  • 2 slices Italian bread
  • 2 teaspoons butter
  • 12 slices pepperoni
  • 2 tablespoons pizza sauce
  • 2 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced cheese (2 slices)
  1. Place a non-stick pan on the stove top and preheat to a medium heat.
  2. Butter the slices of bread.
  3. Place a slice of bread onto pan butter side down.
  4. Add 6 slices pepperoni, 1 tablespoon pizza sauce, 2 ounces mozzarella cheese, 1 tablespoon pizza sauce, and 6 more slices of pepperoni - in that order.
  5. Place the other slice of bread on top with butter side up.
  6. Cook until the sizzling stops (2-3 minutes) and then flip. Cook another 2-3 minutes.
  7. Serve.

How do you eat your grilled cheese? Do you dip it in tomato soup, make it extra cheesy? Let me know in the comments below.

Pigs in a Blanket with Gouda

Pigs in a Blanket with Gouda

Pigs in a Blanket with Gouda are a delicious appetizer perfect for a crowd made with crescent roll dough, cocktail sausages, Gouda cheese and poppy seeds paired with a honey mustard dipping sauce.

The holidays are HERE and that means there are many gatherings with friends, family and coworkers right around the corner. I’m not sure if any gathering is complete without some delicious Pigs in a Blanket as a simple appetizer that everyone loves. These Pigs in a Blanket are just like the original but we added in some Gouda cheese for extra flavor and sprinkled some poppy seeds to the top.

Pigs in a Blanket with Gouda

I usually don’t get excited over sausage links (there are a few exceptions) but there is just something about Pigs in a Blanket. They are additive and it is that dish you will see me hovering over at parties.

 

Pigs in a Blanket with Gouda

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Unroll the the sheets of crescent and cut along the perforated edges. Cut each of those 8 sections in half.
  3. Roll a mini sausage and a small slice of Gouda in each of those triangular sections and place onto a baking sheet. Your slice of Goua should be thin and the same length as the cocktail wiener.
  4. Melt some butter and brush onto the top of each roll.
  5. Sprinkle with poppy seeds.
  6. Bake for 12-15 minutes of until golden brown.

 

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

  1. As the Pigs in a Blanket bake, make the dipping sauce using 1/4 cup of both Dijon and mayonnaise, plus 3 tablespoons honey. Mix well.
  2. Serve the Pigs in a Blanket with Gouda as an appetizer warm out of the oven with honey mustard sauce on the side.

Pigs in a Blanket with Gouda
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Pigs in a Blanket with Gouda cheese and honey mustard dipping sauce, feed a crowd, cocktail sausages, party recipe, appetizer, crescent recipe

Pigs in a Blanket with Gouda are a delicious appetizer perfect for a crowd made with crescent roll dough, cocktail sausages, Gouda cheese and poppy seeds paired with a honey mustard dipping sauce. 

Yields: 32

  • Pigs in a Blanket with Gouda
  • 2 crescent rolls containers
  • 12 once package mini sausages (cocktail wieners)
  • 8 ounce block smoked Gouda cheese (you only need about half the block)
  • poppy seeds
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted
  • Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup whole-grain Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Unroll the the sheets of crescent and cut along the perforated edges. Cut each of those in half to make 32 triangles among the 2 containers.
  3. Roll a mini sausage and a small slice of Gouda in each of those triangles and place onto a baking sheet.
  4. Melt the butter and brush onto each roll.
  5. Sprinkle with poppy seeds.
  6. Bake for 12-15 minutes of until golden brown.
  7. As the Pigs in a Blanket bake, make the dipping sauce using 1/4 cup of both Dijon and mayonnaise, plus 3 tablespoons honey. Mix well.
  8. Serve as an appetizer warm out of the oven with honey mustard sauce on the side.
  • Preparation time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 15 minutes

Are Pigs in a Blanket one your go-to appetizers also? Have you ever tried them Gouda or do you have another way you like to bake yours? Let me know in the comments below.

Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip

Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip

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Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip is made with Velveeta, pepper jack cheese, ground beef with extra taco seasoning, black beans, Rotel and beer for the perfect game day snack.

You are going to LOVE this dip! The Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip is always a big hit among friends and family and is crazy easy to make. The only item you need to cook is the ground beef before tossing all the ingredients into your slow cooker for a few hours. Cook on the low setting, stir and then place on warm so everyone can snack and watch the game.

This recipe makes a big batch of dip so make sure to invite your friends over to share the goods.

Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip
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Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip, game day recipes, snack, cheese dip, party recipe

Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip is made with Velveeta, pepper jack cheese, ground beef with extra taco seasoning, black beans, Rotel and beer for the perfect game day snack. 

  • 32 ounces Velveeta original, cubed
  • 8 ounces pepper jack cheese block, cubed
  • 15 ounce can black beans, drained
  • 10 ounces mild Rotel, drained
  • 2 packets taco seasoning
  • 1 pound ground beef, lean
  • 1 cup beer
  • Tortilla chips
  1. Place the crockpot on low setting.
  2. Cube the Velveeta and pepper jack cheese. Place into crockpot.
  3. Drain the Rotel and black beans. Place into crockpot.
  4. On the stovetop, brown the ground beef and drain fat. Add taco seasoning packets and a few tablespoons water. Simmer until seasoning has thickened.
  5. Place ground beef into crockpot with 1 cup of any beer.
  6. Cook for 2-3 hours. Stir well. Serve with tortilla chips.


Queso Smothered Chicken Burritos

Queso Smothered Chicken Burritos

This post is sponsored by Ricos Products. All opinions are mine alone. #RicosCheesePlease

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner and you are going to want this Burrito Bar set up for the festivities! We are cooking some Queso Smothered Chicken Burritos made with a delicious marinated chicken, Ricos Queso Blanco Cheese Sauce topped with all the fixings like fresh pico de gallo and guacamole.

Sure, we are focused on Cinco de May today but these Queso Smothered Chicken Burritos are awesome for anytime- from Sunday dinner to hosting a Birthday party or just in spirit of Taco Tuesday.  There are three components that bring these burritos over-the-top!

  1. Fresh ingredients! The homemade guacamole and fresh pico de gallo, the marinated chicken and cilantro lime rice. Fresh really is best!
  2. The flavor in this marinated chicken is outstanding! You will want to keep this marinade recipe around for other dishes.
  3. The Ricos Queso Blanco Cheese Sauce poured over the burritos amplify the yum factor. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of cheese sauce on their burrito?

My local Walmart is the go-to for stocking up on my favorite Ricos Cheese Sauces to save time and money. Try the Ricos Condensed Cheddar Cheese Sauce with 50% more product when mixed correctly! From nachos or bean dips to family dinners like the Cheesy Taco Pasta or Mexican Hot Dogs, Ricos has a cheese sauce for everything! All Ricos Cheese Sauces are trans fat free with no hydrogenated oils and super easy with heat and serve instructions perfect for hosting parties, barbeques and of course holidays, like Cinco de Mayo!

Enter the Ricos Sweepstakes

Winning a 2018 Ford F-150 is easy-peasy, nacho cheesy. Buy a 15 ounce can Ricos Cheese Sauce and get an entry. Buy a 6 pound 10 ounce can and increase your chances with 5 entries!

Click HERE to enter and get more information!

Enter every day with each purchase. Valid on purchases from 01/15/18 – 05/31/18; Terms apply.

Cinco de Mayo Burrito Bar

Setting up your burrito bar decor is simple. Look for just a few items to add a punch of color like with the banner and table runner shown here. Here is what you need to create a fun, Cinco de Mayo inspired atmosphere without much effort:

  • Plates.
  • Silverware.
  • Napkins.
  • Servings bowls/plates.
  • Serving utensils.
  • Gravy boat works perfectly for our Ricos Queso Blanco Cheese Sauce.
  • Colorful table liner. Perhaps you have a traditional Mexican blanket around your house that you can utilize as a tablecloth!
  • Colorful banner.
  • Add a few cactus plants and fresh ingredients around the table for décor.
  • A 3 tier serving tray is great for those setting up in a cramped space.

A decent amount of prep was done for these Queso Smothered Chicken Burritos. I did about an hour of prep on my own so grab a buddy to help you chop. Typically, I don’t spend that much time on prep, however, it is WELL worth the effort. Everyone will love the freshness on the table and taste it in those burritos.

All the elements :

Queso Smothered Chicken Burritos
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#ad, #RicosCHeesePlease, Queso Smothered Chicken Burritos , CInco de Mayo Burrito Bar, Cilantro Lime rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, chicken,

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner and you are going to want this Cinco de Mayo Burrito Bar set up for the festivities! We are cooking some Queso Smothered Chicken Burritos made with a delicious marinated chicken, Ricos Queso Blanco Cheese Sauce topped with all the fixings like fresh pico de gallo and guacamole.

  • 2 15 ounce cans Ricos Queso Blanco Cheese Sauce
  • 2 cups shredded lettuce
  • Cilantro Lime Rice
  • Guacamole
  • 2 cups sour cream
  • Pico de Gallo
  • 2 15 ounce cans black beans
  • 8-10 burrito sized tortillas
  • Chicken Marinade
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup lime juice
  • 3 teaspoons chili powder
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 pounds chicken breast, trimmed
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  1. Wash all the fresh produce and begin chopping. Finely minced the garlic cloves, roughly chop cilantro, chop the lettuce and other fresh produce.
  2. Place all the marinade ingredients into a large food storage bag.
  3. Trim your chicken breasts and add to the marinade. Seal the bag. Let marinate for 30 minutes - 2 hours.
  4. Make your Guacamole and Pico de Gallo.
  5. Begin the Cilantro Lime Rice.
  6. Cook the chicken. On the stove top, add a drizzle of olive to a pan on medium heat and add the chicken breasts cooking 7-9 minutes on each side. Internal temperature should read 165 degrees. Dispose of excess marinade.
  7. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes and chop.
  8. Heat the Ricos Queso Blanco Cheese Sauce for 7 minutes on the stove top stirring often. Place in a gravy boat for easy pouring.
  9. Heat the black beans on the stove top letting simmer for 5 minutes.
  10. Warm your tortillas.
  11. Set up your Cinco de Mayo Burrito Bar with chopped chicken, tortillas, lettuce, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, Ricos Queso Blanco Cheese Sauce, cilantro lime rice and black beans all in separate bowls with serving utensils.
  12. Assemble your Queso Smothered Chicken Burritos however you please! I placed some cilantro lime rice on the tortilla, a spoonful of black beans followed by some chicken. Rolled up my burrito and poured Ricos Queso Blanco Cheese Sauce over the top. Place some lettuce topped with guacamole and sour cream on the side. Place a spoonful of pico de gallo on burrito and eat!

How do you plan on celebrating Cinco de Mayo this year? Let me know in the comments below!

 

Mexican Hot Dogs with Nacho Cheese

Mexican Hot Dogs with Nacho Cheese

This post is sponsored by Ricos Products. All opinions are mine alone. #RicosCheesePlease

Mexican Hot Dogs are made with Ricos Gourmet Nacho cheddar cheese sauce, fresh Pico de Gallo and avocado all loaded on a grilled bratwurst and nestled in a soft bun.

A few weeks back, I made a really delicious family recipe for Cheesy Taco Pasta and the nacho cheese love isn’t stopping there. The baseball season officially begins March 29th and I am feeling the inspiration! I couldn’t think of a food more baseball than a hot dog but of course, we had to put a little twist on it with these Mexican Hot Dogs.

I feel as though the beginning of baseball season is the true sign that spring is here and after this incredibly long winter, I am more than ready for it. Nothing sounds better at the moment than some grilled food, a cold beverage and just sitting back to watch a bit of baseball. Bring it on!

Enter the Ricos Sweepstakes

Winning a 2018 Ford F-150 is easy-peasy, nacho cheesy. Buy a 15oz can of Ricos Cheese Sauce and get an entry. Buy a 6lb 10 oz can and increase your chances with 5 entries!

Click HERE to enter and get more information!

Enter every day with each purchase. Valid on purchases from 01/15/18 – 05/31/18; Terms apply.

Mexican Hot Dogs with Nacho Cheese

Mexican Hot Dogs with Nacho Cheese are a great baseball game day food because they are simple, really tasty and don’t really need to abide by a strict recipe. You just need to visit your local Walmart to grab some soft buns, your favorite bratwurst or beef franks, a fresh Pico de Gallo, avocado and the Ricos Nacho cheddar cheese sauce to make this hot dog complete. A few minutes of prep to heat up the Ricos Cheese Sauce, dice some produce and grill up those hot dogs and you are all set to watch the game.

Mexican Hot Dogs with Nacho Cheese
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Mexican Hot Dogs are made with Ricos Gourmet Nacho cheddar cheese sauce, fresh Pico de Gallo and avocado all loaded on a grilled bratwurst and soft bun.

Yields: 6 servings

  • 15 ounce can Ricos Gourmet Nacho cheddar cheese sauce
  • 6 hot dog buns
  • 6 Bratwurst (any type of sausage/beef frank your family loves will work)
  • Pico de Gallo
  • 1 avocado
  1. Prep the Pico de Gallo.
  2. Dice the avocado.
  3. Let your grill heat up and toss the Bratwurst on. Cook on a medium heat according to package directions which is typically 10-12 minutes or 15-20 minutes.
  4. While the hot dogs are grilling, heat your Ricos Gourmet Nacho cheddar cheese sauce on the stovetop on a medium heat for 10 minutes stirring often.
  5. Assemble your hot dogs with a layer of Ricos Gourmet Nacho cheddar cheese sauce, a spoonful of Pico de Gallo and a few avocado slices.
  • Preparation time: 7 minutes
  • Cook time: 12 minutes

Ricos Cheese varities can be found at a store near you! Ricos is trans Fat FREE and made with no hydrogenated oils. Plus, preparation is a cinch with heat and serve instructions. Ricos offer the perfect line of cheese sauces for entertaining, game day, barbeques, birthdays and even concession stands to save time and money. Look for the Ricos  Condensed Cheddar Cheese has 50% more product when mixed correctly for feeding a crowd.

Click HERE to see the full line of Ricos Cheese Sauces including my favorite Ricos Queso Blanco.