Shortcut Chicken Manicotti

Prior to this dish, the only manicotti I had ever had was stuffed with ricotta cheese.  This recipe opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities.  Aside from how delicious it is, what I love about it is that you don't have to cook the pasta or the chicken before assembly, which makes the prep SO much easier than traditional recipes.  I have been making it for years, and we all love it.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 lb (4 oz) Velveeta Prepared Cheese Product, cut up
• 2 cups frozen broccoli florets (I usually add more to increase the veggie content)
• 12 manicotti pasta shells, uncooked
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1/2 inch strips
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Mix soup, water, and Velveeta in microwavable bowl.  Microwave on high 3 minutes or until Velveeta is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 2 minutes.  Pour 1/3 of the soup mixture into the bottom of a 13x9 inch baking dish; set aside.  Add broccoli to remaining soup mixture.
2. Stuff pasta (uncooked) with chicken strips; place in baking dish.  Cover completely with remaining soup/broccoli mixture.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.  Cover with foil.
3. Bake 45-50 minutes or until pasta is tender and chicken is cooked through.

Difficulty: Easy
Time: 15 minutes prep (stuffing the raw chicken into the uncooked pasta takes a bit of time, though not nearly as much as stuffing cooked pasta), 45-50 cooking

Source: Kraft Food and Family Magazine, Winter 2008

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Crab Dip

Last summer, we found out that my son is allergic to crab meat, which is extremely unfortunate, because it is one of my absolute favorite foods in the entire world.  This dip is outstanding, super easy, travels well for parties, and is always a hit.  Though it is an "old school" recipe with a pinch of this and a squeeze of that, you just can't go wrong...trust me!  It is delicious!!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 can crab meat
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 T mayonnaise
• a squeeze of lemon juice
• a pinch of garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all ingredients and spread in small baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.

Difficulty:  Super easy

Time: less than 10 minutes prep, 

Source: my mom