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Cheesy Taco Pasta

Cheesy Taco Pasta

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

Cheesy Taco Pasta is a quick weeknight meal for the family made with Ricos Gourmet Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce, spiral pasta, ground beef, taco seasoning and topped with olives, avocado, tortilla strips, serrano pepper and fresh tomato.

I love meals that can be on the table in less than 20 minutes. As a busy mom raising two young children, I just need recipes that are really quick with simple ingredients and easy instructions. This recipe was just something I threw together on a whim and it just works.

You are going to want to add this recipe to the dinner lineup this week because it has become one of our go-to dinners and I think your family will enjoy it as well!

Ricos Cheese Sauce is an important ingredient in this Cheesy Taco Pasta because let’s face it- cheese is life!

Why Ricos?

Ricos is trans Fat FREE and made with no hydrogenated oils. Plus, preparation is a cinch with heat and serve instructions. Find Ricos Cheese Sauces at participating Walmart stores near you.

Cheesy Taco Pasta

Cheesy Taco Pasta is an absolutely delicious switch up from your regular taco night. Start by boiling a pot of water for your pasta and cook according to package directions. As the pasta is cooking, brown some ground beef in a separate pan with some taco seasoning and add in some drained petite tomatoes.

We are seriously almost done with this dish- I told you it was easy!

Place the cooked meat on a plate to the side for a moment.

Put the pan back onto the stovetop and warm up the Ricos Gourmet Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce with a bit of milk stirring often.

Time to toss the meat back in with the cheese and add the drained pasta. Stir ingredients together and add all the toppings!

As dinner cooks, prep the toppings. We used tortilla chips, black olives, sliced serrano pepper, fresh diced tomato, chopped cilantro and an avocado. Dinner is on the table!

Cheesy Taco Pasta
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#ad, @RicosProducts, #RicosCheesePlease, Cheesy Taco Pasta, nacho cheese recipe, 20 minute dinner

Cheesy Taco Pasta is a quick weeknight meal for the family made with Ricos Gourmet Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce, spiral pasta, ground beef, taco seasoning and topped with olives, avocado, tortilla strips, serrano pepper and fresh tomato.

  • Cheesy Taco Pasta
  • 1 pound box rotini pasta
  • 15 ounce can Ricos Gourmet Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce
  • 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, drained
  • .5 cup milk
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • Toppings-pick your favorites
  • 3.8 ounce can sliced black olives, drained
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 4.5 ounce bag tortilla strips
  • cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 serrano, sliced
  • other optional topping ideas include: shredded lettuce, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, hot sauce, sliced jalapeno, diced onion, and black beans.
  1. Cook pasta according to box directions in a medium pot and drain.
  2. As the pasta cooks, brown ground beef in a large saute pan on a medium-high heat. Add the taco seasoning and finish cooking ground beef according to packaged seasoning directions. Add in the drained canned tomatoes and stir until begins to simmer. Move the meat to a plate.
  3. Return saute pan to stove, turn down the heat slightly, and add your Ricos Gourmet Nacho Cheddar Cheese Sauce and half cup of milk. Stir frequently to avoid cheese burning or sticking until sauce is creamy.
  4. Remove from heat. Add the meat back into pan and add the cooked pasta. Stir all ingredients together.
  5. Add your favorite taco toppings. We used a diced avocado, tortilla strips, black olives, serrano pepper, a fresh diced tomato and some freshly chopped cilantro.
  6. Serve.

Ricos Cheese Sauces have a full line of cheese sauce that make entertaining or family dinner quick and easy! Besides this Cheesy Taco Pasta, here is how my family loves their Ricos:

  • Chili cheese dogs with Ricos Premium Cheddar for game day.
  • Bean dip with warm refried beans on the bottom and topped with Ricos Queso Blanco.
  • Feed a crowd with Ricos Condensed Cheddar Cheese which has 50% more product once mixed correctly for a nacho bar that is perfect for parties or concession stands.

What are your personal favorite recipes or ideas for using Ricos Cheese Sauces? Let me know in the comments below!

Chicken Bacon White Cheddar Pasta

Chicken Bacon White Cheddar Pasta

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LeaveBlandBehind #CollectiveBias

Chicken Bacon White Cheddar Pasta made with crispy bacon, chunks of chicken, fresh broccoli, rotini pasta and McCormick White Cheddar Mac ‘n’ Cheese Seasoning baked with a breadcrumb topping.

I love cooking dishes that don’t require a recipe. I can get in the kitchen and wing it- as a busy mom there is a whole lot of winging it. Chicken Bacon White Cheddar Pasta is one of those dishes! New McCormick Pasta Seasoning Blends take the guesswork out of recipe free cooking. Just add some cooked chicken and crispy bacon with a fresh vegetable to your Mac ‘n’ Cheese and dinner is complete! I went one step further today and also baked the dish into a casserole with a breadcrumb topping for an extra comforting taste in this cold weather.

Find the new McCormick Seasoning Blends in the spice aisle at your local Walmart. Available in flavors such as: White Cheddar Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Tomato Basil, and Parmesan Alfredo that will help you make your favorite pasta dishes with more versatility than existing box blends and sauces. Simply stir the McCormick Seasoning Blends in a bit of butter and milk, then toss with hot cooked pasta.

McCormick Seasoning Blends have no artificial flavors or colors so you can feel good about the meals you serve your family. You can whip up pastas, soups, pretzels dipped in cheese sauce, pour over vegetables or even sprinkle on popcorn!

Find out more about McCormick White Cheddar Mac ‘n’ Cheese Seasoning and get even more recipe inspiration!

Click HERE.

Chicken Bacon White Cheddar Pasta

Let’s get cooking our Chicken Bacon White Cheddar Pasta!

Start by chopping the bacon and cook on the stovetop until crispy. Drain the bacon grease and set the cooked bacon to the side while you cook the chicken for 10 minutes each side. Make sure to cover the chicken as it cooks. Let the chicken rest while you cut the bunch of broccoli. Dice the chicken and set to the side. While the chicken is cooking, cook your pasta according to box directions and drain.

I like my broccoli firm so I don’t pre-cook it before placing into the casserole. If you like your broccoli soft, steam the broccoli at this point for a few minutes.

Time to bring everything together in a delicious casserole dish! In the pot used to cook the rotini pasta, place the butter, milk and pasta back in. Stir ingredients well and add in the McCormick White Cheddar Pasta Seasoning. Stir until creamy and toss in the cooked chicken, half of the crispy bacon and the broccoli florets. Stir and pour into a casserole dish.

Melt a bit of butter and mix up the breadcrumbs to sprinkle over the top of the casserole. Toss in the remainder of the bacon and bake for 25 minutes. Dinner is ready!

Chicken Bacon White Cheddar Pasta
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Chicken Bacon White Cheddar Pasta, #ad, #LeaveBlandBehind, McCormick Pasta Seasonings, simple dinner

Chicken Bacon White Cheddar Pasta made with crispy bacon, chunks of chicken, fresh broccoli, rotini pasta and McCormick White Cheddar Mac ‘n’ Cheese Seasoning baked with a breadcrumb topping.

  • Chicken Bacon White Cheddar Pasta
  • 1 pound chicken breast, thin cut
  • 16 ounce rotini pasta
  • 1 pound bacon, thick
  • 1 bunch broccoli, florets
  • 16 tablespoons butter, unsalted
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup McCormick White Cheddar Mac 'n' Cheese Seasoning
  • Bread Crumb Topping
  • .5 cup bread crumbs
  • 1.5 tablespoons butter, melted
  1. Chop the bacon and place on a medium-high heat on the stovetop. Cook until crispy. Drain fat and place bacon pieces on the side.
  2. Place the pan back on the stovetop on a medium heat. Cook the chicken breast for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through and keeping covered. There should be a little bit of bacon grease leftover in the pan so there shouldn't be a need to use any oil at this step.
  3. Chop the chicken once it has sit for 5 minutes and place to the side.
  4. Cut your broccoli florets into bite size pieces. I do not cook my broccoli since we are going to bake everything today and I like my broccoli still hard. If you like broccoli soft, you may steam your broccoli at this time for about 5 minutes.
  5. As the chicken on the stove, cook the pasta in a large pot according to box directions and drain.
  6. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  7. In the large pot used to cook the pasta, add 16 tablespoons butter and 1 cup milk. Mix in the pasta now and stir.
  8. Add the 1 cup McCormick White Cheddar Mac 'n' Cheese Seasoning and mix ingredients well.
  9. Stir in the cooked chicken, half of the crispy bacon and broccoli. Place into a casserole dish.
  10. Melt 1.5 tablespoons butter and mix in .5 cup of breadcrumbs. Mix and then sprinkle on top of casserole. Toss on the other half of the bacon.
  11. Bake for 25 minutes.

What dish are you going to create with new McCormick Seasoning Blends?

Grilled Honey Chicken with Strawberry Salsa

Grilled Honey Chicken with Strawberry Salsa

Grilled Honey Chicken with Strawberry Salsa is sweet with a spicy kick. I am really excited to share this recipe with everyone. The dish is bursting with amazing flavors! Plus, it is grilling season so bring on the outdoor recipes, right?

Grilled Honey Chicken with Strawberry Salsa

Strawberry Salsa is easy to make and utilizes all fresh ingredients. You can’t beat completely fresh. This recipe is very similar to pineapple salsa from Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa. The strawberries give a nice tart flavor that pairs well with the spicy jalapeno and onion. I make my strawberry salsa spicy but if you don’t enjoy spice that much and want it more mild, simply remove the seeds from the jalapeno before chopping up the salsa ingredients.

Grilled Honey Chicken with Strawberry Salsa

I just realized that my past few recipes have involved honey. We eat a whole lot of honey in this house and it is one of my favorite ingredients for cooking. Depending on what type of honey you buy, it can various flavor profiles from fruity to nutty. I tend to go with the honey that is on the sweeter side to act as a sweetener in recipes. Plus, the consistency sticks really well to everything. Especially love honey for meat marinades. Try the Sweet ‘N’ Spicy Baked Salmon or the Spicy Honey Grilled Chicken Recipe for more recipes using honey that are both great summer recipes.

Grilled Honey Chicken with Strawberry Salsa

How to grill chicken. Grilling chicken can be a disaster but it doesn’t have to be.  You want to cook on a medium to high heat. The preparation of the chicken and shape is important. Yes, your chicken’s shape is important today. I buy the thinly cut chicken breasts when grilling. You can also choose to use a meat pounder to get the chicken at a consistent thickness. This allows for more even cooking and you aren’t waiting for the thickest portion to cook while the rest dries out. Cook each side for about 7 minutes or until the internal temperature is at 165 degrees.

I love getting those slightly charred bites in mixture of the sweet strawberries and spicy jalapenos this Grilled Honey Chicken with Strawberry Salsa recipe. Such an awesome combination.

Grilled Honey Chicken with Strawberry Salsa

Grilled Honey Chicken with Strawberry Salsa
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Grilled Honey Chicken with Strawberry Salsa
  • Honey Chicken
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 pounds chicken breasts (thin cut or pounded)
  • .5 cup honey
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce, low sodium
  • .5 lime
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • pinch of pepper
  • Strawberry Salsa
  • .5 green bell pepper
  • 1 jalapeno
  • 1/4 white onion
  • 1 lime
  • 1 pint strawberries
  • .5 cup cilantro
  1. Pound the chicken breasts if you need to even out the thickness.
  2. Marinate the chicken. In a large Ziploc bag, add honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, freshly squeezed lime, olive oil and a pinch of pepper. Mix and add the chicken.
  3. Place chicken in fridge to marinate 20 minutes to 2 hours.
  4. Pre heat your grill to a medium high heat.
  5. Prep your strawberry salsa. Finely dice half a green bell pepper, 1/4 of a white onion and 1 jalapeno. Toss into a small mixing bowl.
  6. Dice your strawberries and chop the cilantro. Add to the bowl.
  7. Squeeze 1 lime and give the strawberry salsa a mix.
  8. Cook chicken for 7 minutes on each side.
  9. Remove from grill and top with strawberry salsa.
  10. Enjoy!

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Grilled Honey Chicken with Strawberry Salsa

 

Home Style Scalloped Potatoes

Home Style Scalloped Potatoes

Home Style Scalloped Potatoes with sliced russet potatoes and a creamy cheese sauce. Great for a side dish for a variety of meals.

 

Home Style Scalloped Potatoes

 

These Home Style Scalloped Potatoes are an old fashioned recipe that is very simple and the cheese can be swapped out for any type you would like. I made them with a mixed Italian cheese today but frequently use a cheddar. Use whatever cheese you please! You cannot go wrong.

 

Home Style Scalloped Potatoes

 

I posted this recipe today in thought of Easter coming up and thinking about what is going to be on our menu. Every Easter, we make a huge ham and multiple side dishes including these scalloped potatoes. Potatoes and ham are just the perfect combination in any form. Get some creamy sauce and potatoes on a fork with a bit of salty ham and oh yes, so heavenly. Comfort food at its finest. We will also make a vegetable side and large salad. Oh, and rolls. Cannot miss the rolls for Easter dinner.

 

Home Style Scalloped Potatoes

 

Skin on the potatoes? Peel or not to peel? This is up to you. I prefer to keep skins on potatoes as much as possible but some people don’t love the skin so if you are feeding a large group, think about peeling the potatoes to make everyone happy- if that is possible.

 

Home Style Scalloped Potatoes

 

What type of dishes does your family typically eat for Easter? Are scalloped potatoes always on your table?

 

Home Style Scalloped Potatoes
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Scalloped Potatoes
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (i used italian cheese mix today but cheddar is also a good choice)
  • 3 cups milk
  • 6 cups sliced russet potatoes
  • 2 tablespoons finely diced white onion
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoon flour
  • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  1. Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Slice your potatoes as thin as possible and lay half in the bottom of a casserole dish. Chop your onion.
  3. Make your sauce. On the stove pan, heat up a sauce pan on medium heat.
  4. Add butter and flour. Whisk well and slowly add in the milk.
  5. Add your diced onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper and whisk until thickened.
  6. Add your cheese, turn off heat and mix until creamy.
  7. Pour half your sauce on top of first layer of potatoes in casserole dish.
  8. Add the rest of your potatoes and the remainder of your sauce.
  9. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.
  10. After 1 hour, remove foil and let bake 30 more minutes uncovered.
  11. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes.
  12. Serve.

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Home Style Scalloped Potatoes

Chicken with Broccoli Tortellini Alfredo

Chicken with Broccoli Tortellini Alfredo

 

Chicken with Broccoli Tortellini Alfredo made with chicken, cheese filled tortellini, fresh broccoli, and a creamy parmesan packed garlic alfredo sauce.

 

Chicken with Broccoli Tortellini Alfredo

 

Pasta is a huge comfort food for me. Any type of pasta from spaghetti to carbonara to tortellini. Add in a great hearty alfredo sauce and I am in food heaven. I am picky about my alredo sauce though. I don’t like it bland or too watery so I made this alfredo sauce with loads of cheese and garlic and used some flour to thicken it slightly.

 

Chicken with Broccoli Tortellini Alfredo

 

The broccoli is a nice addition to this dish. the broccoli adds a crispness and freshness to the dish. Plus, the alfredo sauce covers up the vegetable for any picky eaters in the family. We all have at least one of those in the family! Make sure not to cook the broccoli too long. Keep it bright green and crisp. I boiled them in a pot today for 4-5 minutes and they were just right for this dish.

 

Chicken with Broccoli Tortellini Alfredo

 

Check out all that creamy goodness! Chicken with Broccoli Tortellini Alfredo is so creamy and delicious. When making your alfredo sauce, don’t be afraid to add in that parmesan and garlic to amp up the flavor factor. I also add in a little cream cheese to the recipe to help create a smooth sauce.

 

Chicken with Broccoli Tortellini Alfredo

 

Today, I placed the chicken on the stove top with some extra virgin olive oil to get a nice brown on the outside and keep the juices all inside. Cook for 10 minutes on each side and done. No extra seasoning or anything special is needed. Keep the chicken simple. You can also grill the chicken which would be really nice to add in that hot off the grill charred flavor profile.

 

 

Chicken with Broccoli Tortellini Alfredo
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Chicken with Broccoli Tortellini Alfredo
  • 2 tablespoons flour (flour is optional, use if you want a thick sauce)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1.5 cups shredded parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • .5 teaspoon salt
  • .5 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 pound cheese tortellini
  • 1 pound chicken breast
  • 2 cups chopped broccoli
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  1. Fillet a large chicken breast (about 1 pound) into 2 pieces.
  2. Heat a large pan on medium heat. Add olive oil and chicken breast fillets. Cook for 10 minutes or until the edges are white and flip for another 10 minutes. Cover the chicken with a lid.
  3. As the chicken cooks, boil water in a large pot.
  4. Add broccoli into boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Strain broccoli from water and set to the side.
  5. In your large pot, cook the tortellini according to the package directions and strain.
  6. When the chicken is finished cooking, remove from pan and slice. Keep to the side.
  7. In the pan, make your alfredo sauce. Add the flour and butter and whisk while slowly adding in the heavy cream. Add the cream cheese, minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning and whisk until thickened and smooth. Add the 1.5 cups parmesan cheese and turn off heat. Whisk well until melted and creamy.
  8. Add the broccoli, chicken slices and tortellini to stir together.
  9. Serve with some extra parmesan cheese if you like.

 

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Chicken with Broccoli Tortellini Alfredo

 

 

Mini Easter Cheesecakes

Mini Easter Cheesecakes

 

Mini Easter Cheesecakes with a simple graham cracker crust, cheesecake with a little nest of chocolate frosting and Robin eggs. Cute and festive for your Easter get together!

 

Mini Easter Cheesecakes

 

I love this time of year when the weather starts to warm up and families get together for grill outs and activities. One thing that I love to do is cook for my family! Spring just inspires me to do so. I wanted to create a recipe that really brings out the fun in the upcoming Easter festivities but still be an indulgent treat. Of course, I have a deep love for cheesecake so here comes Mini Easter Cheesecakes.

 

Mini Easter Cheesecakes

 

Making cheesecake can be difficult but this recipe is perfect for those that have little or even no experience baking cheesecake. You will put the graham cracker in the food processor or just chop them into crumbs. Mix with some melted butter and press into some cupcake liners in the muffin pan. Bake for 5 minutes, cool, and mix the cheesecake filling. The trick to a good cheesecake is using cream cheese that is not too cold. This helps you get a nice creamy consistency and will bake up perfectly. Once the cheesecake filling is mixed, fill each cupcake liner and pop into the oven once again. Let cool and decorate.

 

Mini Easter Cheesecakes

 

Decorations are really easy for these Mini Easter Cheesecakes. I used a premade chocolate frosting. You are welcome to whip up your own buttercream of course if you wish. I just wanted to keep this recipe as quick and as convenient as possible so the premade worked out just fine for me. Frost a ring around the edge of each cheesecake. Finely chop some chocolate from a milk chocolate or dark chocolate bar and sprinkle over top. Set in 3 Robin Eggs and done. Let chill and serve!

 

Mini Easter Cheesecakes

 

How do you plan on spending this Easter? Do you also get together with your family for a dinner, dessert, crafts, egg decorating?

 

Mini Easter Cheesecakes

 

Mini Easter Cheesecakes
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Mini Easter Cheesecakes
  • 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 16 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • .5 milk chocolate bar
  • 1 cup chocolate frosting
  • 36 candy Robin Eggs
  1. Gather ingredients, muffin pan, cupcake liners, mixing bowls, hand or stand mixer, measuring cups, knife, cutting board, frosting bag and tip.
  2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  3. Place cupcake liners into muffin pan.
  4. Crush a sleeve of graham crackers either in a Ziploc bag or in a food processor.
  5. Melt 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter and add to graham cracker crumbs.
  6. Place a spoonful of graham cracker mixture into each cupcake liner pressing the crackers down.
  7. Bake for 5 minutes, let cool.
  8. In a medium mixing bowl, add cream cheese, 2 eggs, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 3/4 cup sugar. use a hand or stand mixer to blend until creamy and smooth. If you let the cream cheese sit out to warm up before this step, the mixture will turn out much more consistent than using cold cream cheese straight from the fridge.
  9. Fill each cupcake liner 3/4 full of the cheesecake filling.
  10. Bake for 20 minutes and let cool.
  11. Decorate your cheesecakes! Place the chocolate frosting into a frosting bag and frost a circle around the edge of each cheesecake.
  12. Finely chop your chocolate bar and sprinkle chunks over the top of each cheesecake.
  13. Place 3 Robin Eggs on each and enjoy!

 

Mini Easter Cheesecakes

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Mini Easter Cheesecakes