One Step Macaroni and Cheese

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Meal Occasion: Lunch/Dinner
Makes 10 – 12 servings
Serving size 1 cup
Cost Per Serving: less than $1

Ingredients:
5 cups Great Value skim milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons Great Value sugar
1 tablespoon Great Value butter, melted
1 (16-ounce) package Great Value whole wheat elbow macaroni
Great Value salt and pepper to taste
2 cups Great Value reduced-fat shredded Cheddar cheese

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven 350°F.
2. In bowl, whisk together milk, egg, and sugar.
3. In 2-quart oblong baking dish, combine remaining ingredients, reserving some cheese for later, if desired. Carefully pour milk mixture over macaroni and stir well.
4. Bake, covered, 60-65 minutes or until all liquid is almost absorbed. Uncover, add remaining cheese, and continue baking about 5 minutes more, or until cheese melts.

Tips:
• All in one dish with no boiling pasta—toss together, cover and bake.
• Make this recipe your own by using different Great Value cheeses, adding ground turkey, or chopped veggies.

Mac and Cheese-One Step and No Pot!

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Looking for a way to take advantage of all the bountiful fresh fruit this time of year?  When Walmart asked me to create an affordable, easy and healthy treat, this Fruit Dip was perfect.  And, making it even more affordable, check out the Great Value brand at Walmart!

Famous Fruit Dip

Holly’s Famous Fruit Dip

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Meal Occasion: Snack/Dessert
Makes 14 serving
Serving size 2 tablespoons
Cost Per Serving: less than $1

•1 cup Great Value fat free plain yogurt
•1/2 cup frozen Great Value fat free whipped topping, thawed
•1/4 cup Great Value fat free sour cream
•3 tablespoons Great Value powdered sugar   
•1 teaspoon Great Value almond extract
•1/2 cup Great Value finely chopped canned peaches or your fruit of choice

Instructions:
1.Mix all ingredients together, chill and serve.

Tips:
•Use different flavored fat-free yogurts to make the dip different flavors
•Yogurt is full of calcium and protein, making this dip a healthier snack option for your family.

Famous and Fun Fruit Dip-Perfect for Summer Fruit

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I love stuffed potatoes so I thought what an easy way to make veggie stuffed potatoes-use frozen veggies as that is such a time saver-you instantly have an assortment of vegetables without any cutting or chopping.  Whenever I make stuffed potatoes, I always make extra to keep in my freezer.  I wrap them individually in  plastic wrap and store in freezeable plastic bags to pull out for that last minute meal, lunch or side.  Wow, do I look good for a last minute dinner!

Stuffed Veggie Potatoes

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Meal Occasion: Lunch/Snack/Dinner
Makes 8 servings
Serving size ½ potato
Cost Per Serving: less than $1

Ingredients:
4 medium baking potatoes
1 1/2 cups frozen Great Value mixed vegetables
2 tablespoons Great Value butter
1/2 cup Great Value fat free plain yogurt
Great Value salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 1/2 cups Great Value shredded reduced fat Cheddar cheese, divided
1 teaspoon Great Value dried basil leaves

Instructions:
1.Preheat oven 400° F. 
2.Wash and scrub potatoes.  Bake 1 hour or until soft when squeezed.  Cut each baked potato in half lengthwise.  Scoop out inside, leaving thin shell. 
3.Meanwhile, cook mixed vegetables according to package directions, drain, and set aside.  
4.In large bowl, mash potatoes with butter and yogurt, mixing until creamy.  Season to taste.  Stir in green onions, 1 cup Cheddar cheese, mixed vegetables and basil. 
5.Stuff potato shells with the mixture.  Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
6.Reduce oven to 350° F.  Place potatoes on baking sheet and bake 15 minutes or until well heated and cheese is melted.

Calories 210, Protein (g) 10, Carbohydrate (g)  26, Fat (g) 8, Calories from Fat (%) 34, Saturated Fat (g) 4, Dietary Fiber (g) 5, Sugars (g) 3, Cholesterol (mg) 20, Sodium (mg) 197, Diabetic Exchanges: 1.5 carbohydrate, 1.5 fat

Tips:
•Serve with meat, chicken, or fish for a more complete meal or makes great vegetarian entrée when using whole potato.
•Try different varieties of Great Value frozen veggies for fun flavors at an affordable price.

Stuffed Veggie Potatoes-Easy Entree or Super Side (vegetarian)

 

Taco Rice Salad

 When you say tacos, you have everyone’s attention, all ages!  Go with a taco salad as this is a one-dish meal, and this entree salad is light, yet, satisfying enough to feed the hearty eater.  What’s great about this recipe is you can also add your favorite veggies hanging around in the refrig-cooking is creative-so toss in beans, corn, avocados, adding more nutrtion and flavor.  Always, look for the leaner cuts of meat-those that end in a ’round or loin’ so you will have leaner protein!  And, wait until you taste the dressing-only two ingredients!  Use different flavored salsas to change the taste without effort.  This was one of my favorite Walmart videos I did as it is one of my favorite family recipes.  

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 Taco Rice Salad  

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15-20 Meal Occasion: Dinner   Lunch/Dinner
Makes 6 servings
Serving size 1 cup
Cost Per Serving: less than $2  

Ingredients:
1 pound ground sirloin
1/2 cup  finely chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon Great Value minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon Great Value cumin
Great Value Salt & pepper to taste
3 cups cooked Great Value brown rice 
1/2 head lettuce, shredded, or 4 cups mixed greens
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup Great Value shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup Great Value fat free plain yogurt
1/2 cup Great Value salsa or picante sauce
Great Value tortilla chips (optional)  

Instructions:
1. In nonstick skillet, cook meat, onion, and garlic until done, 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
2. Add cumin, salt, pepper, rice (follow directions on bag or box to cook rice). Remove from heat, cool.
3. In bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, red onion, and rice mixture.
4. In another bowl, mix yogurt and salsa.  Toss with lettuce-rice mixture. Serve immediately, with extra salsa and chips, if desired.  

Tips:
• Toss in black beans and corn for additional flavor and nutrition.
• Brown rice is a whole grain and contains more fibers, vitamin and minerals than the white rice.  

Tacos-Try my Taco Salad-My Family Favorite

Get creative with kids to entice them to the dinner table.  Yes, four ingredients create this easy flavor packed dish that can be used as a vegetarian entree or super side.  Pizza Rice is a great way to introduce your kids to brown rice, an easy way to boost your fiber.  With all the characteristics of a pizza, you will have kids running, but also, don’t count out the adults!  And, this fun and tasty recipe can be prepared in minutes, and also is budget friendly.  

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Pizza Rice

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Makes 4-6 servings

Serving size one cup  1 cup
Cost Per Serving: less than $1

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Great Value Italian diced tomatoes, with juice
1 teaspoon dried Great Value oregano leaves
4 cups cooked Great Value brown rice
1 cup Great Value shredded mozzarella cheese
 
1.In large nonstick skillet, heat tomatoes with oregano over low heat. 
2.Stir in cooked rice (follow recommended directions on bag or box), and cheese. Cook over low heat until well heated and cheese is melted, stirring, about 3- 5 minutes. Serve.

Tips:
Using Great Value brown rice makes this dish just a little healthier because it adds fiber.

Pizza Rice-Who Turns Down Pizza?