Layered Veggie Tortellini Salad

With its cheesy dressing, this layered pasta salad goes perfectly with grilled meats!

1 pkg (16 oz). forzen cheese tortellini

2 c. fresh broccoli florets

2 c. cherry tomatoes, quartered

2 celery ribs, finely chopped

1 can (2.5 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Dressing:

3/4 c. mayonnaise

3 T. grated parmesan cheese

2 T. lemon juice

2 T. heavy whipping cream

1 tsp. dried thyme

Cook tortellini according to package directions, drain and rinse in cold water.  In a large 2 1/2 quart glass salad bowl, layer the tortellini, broccoli, tomatoes, celery, olives, and cheese. 

In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients; spoon over salad.  Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Paul Bunyan Burgers

This is a great recipe and the topping is soooo good!

Paul Bunyan Burgers

6 bacon strips, diced
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 large onion, sliced thin
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 T. worchestershire sauce
½ tsp. seasoned salt
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp. prepared horseradish
1 pound ground beef
Hamburger buns

In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp, remove to paper towels to drain. In the drippings, sauté mushrooms and onion until tender. Transfer to a large bowl, add bacon.

In another bowl, combine the egg, worchestershire sauce, seasoned salt, salt, pepper and horseradish; sprinkle beef over the mixture and mix well. Shape into 4-6 patties, depending on how big you want your burger. Grill, top with American cheese, and add bacon mixture on top of that. ( I left the bacon strips whole and added the sliced onions to that. I didn’t have mushrooms, and they were still fantastic!)

Alternate method:

Form into 6 patties. Divide bacon mixture and put on top of three patties. Top with a slice of American cheese, folding in corners. Top with another burger and seal edges very well. This is what makes the Paul Bunyan burger, but I thought they would be too big so I improvised a little..

Taco Burgers - A delicious alternative to a plain burger!

Taco Burgers

1 cup finely chopped crushed corn chips
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 ½ lbs. ground beef
6 slices cheddar or American cheese
Hamburger buns
Shredded lettuce/tomato slices
Salsa

In a large bowl, combine the corn chips, taco seasoning, onion and egg. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 6 patties. Broil or grill until a meat thermometer reads 160 and juices run clear (or until desired doneness).

Top each burger with a cheese slice, cook just until melted. Serve on buns with shredded lettuce and salsa.

* I didn’t have corn chips on hand but had tortilla chips so I used those instead. Worked out well!