"Crack Dip"

Several months ago Nate emailed me a link to a recipe for "Buffalo Chicken Dip"... now this is not something he does too often, so I thought it was probably worth trying. This weekend we had an End of Summer party at our house, and I decided to try the dip, which I had since learned is actually referred to as "crack dip." I don't even like buffalo sauce, but this dip is amazing. I made an entire casserole dish full and it was all gone within 30 minutes! Follow the recipe below, great party good:

Buffalo Chicken Dip

8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup ranch salad dressing
1/4 cup blue cheese salad dressing
1/2 cup buffalo sauce or buffalo style barbecue sauce (I think the "Louisiana Sauce" is best)1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (cheddar or mozzarella cheese can also be substituted)
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. In a deep baking dish, mix cream cheese, salad dressing, buffalo sauce, and cheese. Stir until smooth and combined. Stir in chicken. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until the dish is heated through. Serve with crackers, pita chips, sliced bread or vegetables.

ENJOY!

Spinach Stuffed Shells

I made this pasta recipe for dinner Thursday night and it was a BIG hit! This recipe could easily feed  4-6 hungry people, and would be a great dinner party meal. Plus, there's something special and kind of fun about using JUMBO shells:

Ingredients:

- 1 lb ground beef

- 1 frozen, thawed package of spinach

- 16 oz. ricotta cheese

- 2 cups shredded mozzarella

- 1/2 cup Parmesan (shredded or grated)

- 1 egg, lightly beaten

- 1 Tbs Italian seasoning

- pinch of ground nutmeg

- 2 jars spaghetti sauce (the recipe only calls from one, but we thought it needed more sauce)

- 1 box jumbo stuffed shells

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook pasta shells, drain, and set aside to cool (do not overcook pasta, as shells will be difficult to stuff). Brown ground beef and drain fat.

2. While shells are cooling, mix in large bowl ricotta, Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, 1 egg, Italian seasoning, nutmeg, salt, pepper, thawed spinach and ground beef (seasoning can be adjusted according to personal preference).

3. Once pasta is cooled, using large spoon, stuff each shell with mixture. Shells should be stuffed generously but still be able to almost close.

4. Pour half of spaghetti sauce in bottom of large casserole dish, add stuffed shells, pour remaining spaghetti sauce over top and sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella.

5. Bake @ 375 for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Best Sunday Night Dinner

Taco salad is my ultimate Sunday night dinner - it's easy, delicious, and filling! It takes less than 15 minutes to make, and even my meat-and-potatoes husband loves this.

Ingredients:

- 1 can pinto beans

- 1 small jar sliced black olives

- 1 green bell pepper

- 1 red onion 

- 1 pkg shredded colby jack cheese

- 1 lb ground beef

- 1 pkg taco seasoning

- 1 bag Frito's

- 1 can corn

- 1 head romaine lettuce

- 1 jar Catalina salad dressing

Directions:

1. Brown ground beef and drain fat. Add taco seasoning.

2. Mix remaining ingredients and toss salad with Catalina dressing. Add Frito's to top for more crunch.