I have been attempting to find some easy summer recipes to make. It’s hot and who wants to spend lots of time in the kitchen right now? I cook everything on the top of the stove so it takes more time but most of these you could cook in the microwave as well. Another suggestion is to precook some items so they can be frozen or refrigerated and used later.

Taco Salad

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1 16oz. can refried beans (I used Rosarita)

1 packet of McCormick Mild Taco seasoning (you can use a non-mild version if you choose to)

Shredded cheese

Ranch dressing (Wishbone, Hidden Valley, and Kraft are all GF)

GF tortilla chips

Lettuce

*any other items you might want in your taco salad

Directions:

Cook ground beef and drain. Add ½ packet of the taco seasoning to the meat with ½ cup of water and simmer for 5 minutes. Heat refried beans and add the other ½ of the seasoning packet. I find that by separating them into the two different ingredients that the flavor is more intense. Mix all the ingredients together except the chips. Eat with chips and enjoy!

Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients:

1 jar Classico brand Alfredo

1 chicken breast (I boil mine first to ensure it is fully cooked)

Garlic salt with parsley

Italian seasoning

Gluten free noodles (I really like the Ronzoni brand)

Coconut oil

Directions:

Chicken. Coat the bottom of the pan with coconut oil (about 3 teaspoons). Shred the chicken breast and put in the pan with the oil (or cut into small chunks if it isn’t precooked) and add 1 teaspoon of garlic and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning (add more if you want it stronger, it’s a pretty forgiving recipe). Cook until desired taste or crispness.

Gluten free noodles. Cook per directions on the package then rinse with cool water.

Alfredo. Pour sauce from the jar and add 1 teaspoon of garlic and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning (add more if you want it stronger, again, it’s forgiving). Cook until warm, then add chicken and simmer for 5-10 minutes, just long enough to blend the flavors.

Mix together and enjoy. For more flavor and a creamier texture, add an Italian cheese. I really like the Italian cheese mix from Kroger.

Mac and cheese and hot dogs

I know this is a really easy meal but it is great when you don’t want to cook.

Ingredients:

1 box gluten free mac & cheese (I really like Annie’s brand)

Butter

GF mayonnaise (I use Best Foods)

1 package of GF hot dogs*

Directions:

Boil pasta as the directions state on the box. Rinse the pasta with cool water. In the hot pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter, cheese packet, and ½ cup of mayonnaise. When they are all mixed together add pasta and mix thoroughly.

Prepare hot dogs per the package directions.

Eat together and enjoy.

*The best GF hot dogs I have found so far are Nathan’s, Hebrew National and Johnsonville smoked sausages

If I have confused you, let me know and I will do my best to unconfuse you. Happy easy summer cooking.