Cheesy Chicken Ranch Lasagna

2 (12 oz) cans evaporated milk
1 (1 oz) pkg. Hidden Valley dry Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix (not the dip blend) *
3 C. cubed, cooked, chicken
1/8 tsp pepper
1 (16oz) lasagna noodles, cooked (I used 9 noodles)
1 1/2 to 2 C cheddar cheese, grated
1 1/2 to 2 C mozzarella cheese, grated

1. Combine evaporated milk and Ranch dressing and pepper in a 3 quart heavy saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently until dry ingredients are dissolved. Simmer, uncovered, 25 minutes, stirring frequently. Sauce will thicken slightly. 

2. Layer half of lasagna noodles, chicken, sauce, and cheese in well-greased 9×13 pan. Repeat layers again. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

This sauce may curdle on you when heating it, it's OK. Mine did not, because I kept it at a low heat after I let it come to just a boil, and stirred, stirred, stirred. You may not need the full 25 minutes, so when you can tell it's starting to thicken, it's OK to add to the dish. It may curdle after it's baked, but again, it's OK.
*1 oz was not enough for me, I will use 2 oz next time.

In my opinion: This was a great recipe, I can't say this is healthy, but not every meal has to be healthy, right?

Bacon Ranch Crock Pot Chicken

found on Pinterest, posted by healthifiedkitchen.blogspot.com

2 butterball turkey bacon strips, cooked and shredded (I used regular bacon)
1 tsp minced garlic
1 package ranch dressing mix
1 10.75 oz can condensed cream of chicken soup (98% fat free)
1 cup fat-free sour cream
16 oz. chicken breasts, frozen or defrosted/raw
8 oz. pasta (I used rigatoni), cooked

1. Combine the first five ingredients.
2. Place frozen or defrosted/raw chicken in slowcooker sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and pour sauce over the top (do NOT include water like the can mentions).
3. Cook on high for 3.5 hours.
4. Shred chicken with two forks.
5. Cook pasta per package instructions on stove. Serve chicken over pasta.

In my opinion: This was a good Crock Pot meal. I love these kinds of CP meals the best, the kind you just dump in and go.

Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese

I found this recipe on Pinterest

16 oz. dried pasta
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 package of bacon
1-2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 c. milk, any fat content
1 pkg. Italian blend shredded cheese; divided
1 c. Monterey Jack shredded cheese or Colby-Jack blend, divided
1 tsp. onion powder *
1 tsp. garlic powder *
1 tsp. dill *
1 tsp. salt *
pepper, to taste

*I used 2 T Ranch seasoning

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.
2. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat, until crisp.  Remove bacon from pan, leaving some drippings in the pan.  Drain bacon on a paper towel.  Add chicken to drippings, increase heat to medium-high and saute until no longer pink.  Set aside.
3. Melt butter in the same pot you made the pasta in.  Whisk in flour.  Cook and stir 2 minutes.  Add milk to saucepan.  Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.  Boil for 2 minutes. 
4. Stir in most of the cheese.  (Reserve a handful of each cheese blend to sprinkle on top of casserole.)  Add spices and chicken and stir to combine.
5. Spray 9×13″ baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Transfer pasta to baking pan.  Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and reserved cheeses.  Bake in 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, until thoroughly heated.
In my opinion: This was good and I think I'll make it again one day, but not with 4 little ones who need my attention. This requires many steps and dirties many dishes.

Bacon Chicken Ranch Pizza

recipe from onecrazycookie.blogspot.com found on Pinterest

1 recipe pizza dough (I used a can of Pillsbury)
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
7-8 slices cooked bacon, broken into pieces
1/4 cup onions, diced
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Pizza Sauce
1/2 cup ranch dressing (I used Ranch and sour cream dip)
1 Tablespoons butter
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Roll out pizza dough into a cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven.
 Meanwhile prepare sauce:
Melt butter in a sauce pan. Add the heavy cream and bring to a boil. Cook until volume is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
*Optional: Add 1 tablespoon minced garlic to the butter and saute for a minute.
3. Spread sauce over the pizza.
4. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce then add chicken, bacon and onions.
5. Drizzle the ranch on top.  Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and bake for 15- 20 minutes or until crust appears done.

I started the recipe before realizing I had no Ranch salad dressing, but I did have Ranch dip so I spread this on the crust. Then I sprinkled some mozzarella and added the chicken, bacon, and onions. I drizzled the sauce over and topped with the rest of the mozzarella.

In my opinion: This was a delicious pizza. You could add fresh mushrooms or even artichokes. Yum yum!!

Roasted Ranch Potatoes

2 lbs small red potatoes , quartered
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 (1 ounce) packet hidden valley ranch dressing mix (seasoning and salad mix) ..You can now buy a big container of Ranch seasoning at Sam's.

1.Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Place potatoes in a resealable plastic bag and add oil, seal bag.
3. Toss to coat, add salad dressing mix and toss again until coated.
4.Bake in an ungreased baking pan for 35 minutes or until potatoes are brown and crisp.

serve with Simple Ranch Chicken Breasts

Simple Ranch Chicken Breasts

by Cooks.com

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs (plus some extra for pan)
3 tablespoons of Hidden Valley dry Ranch Dressing mix (you can now buy a big container of Ranch seasoning at Sam's).

1. Pre-heat oven to 375°.
Spray bottom of 9x13 baking dish with non stick cooking spray, then coat pan with extra bread crumbs.

2. Mix dry Ranch Dressing with the 1/2 cup of Italian bread crumbs, then coat both sides of chicken breasts with the mixture.

3. Place in pan and cook anywhere from 30-60 minutes, depending on your oven.

Serve with Roasted Ranch Potatoes

Firecrackers

Someone at work made these and had them in the lounge for a Relay For Life fundraiser. They were so yummy.

1 box of little saltines minis or (16 ounce) package unsalted saltine crackers
1 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
1 (1 ounce) package dry ranch salad dressing mix

Just toss all of it around for a while until the oil is soaked up at the bottom! :)