Salsa Roll-Ups

I've been making these Salsa Roll-Ups for almost as long as we've been married. It's a simple appetizer/side dish that I stumbled upon in my early cooking days when I was just starting my kitchen adventures. Well, even though I've come a long way in my cooking skills we still really love these Salsa Roll-Ups and whenever I take these to a gathering they are met with rave reviews. It just goes to prove that sometimes simple and easy is the way to go.
The key to a nice looking end product is making sure to freeze the roll-ups for a short time before you slice them. This way they can withstand the pressure from the cutting and maintain their circular shape.

Salsa Roll-Ups
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Yields: ~50 pieces

Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup salsa
1/4-1/2 cup shredded cheese
1 tsp chili powder
8 tortillas  

Directions:
   1.  In a medium bowl combine softened cream cheese, salsa, cheese and chili powder.
   2.  Spread mixture over tortillas, leaving a 1 inch border on one side (to allow for the filling to move as you roll). Roll gently, placing seam side down on a plate. Place plate in freezer for 30-60 minutes. (You don't want them frozen solid, just slightly hardened.)
   3.  Remove from freezer; using a serrated knife slice into 1 inch pieces, place on serving plate.

Source: Kraft Foods

This is linked to Tasty Tuesdayand URS.

Cream Cheese Pasta

This recipe is a favorite of the entire family. It has pasta, cheeses, sour cream and sauce--what's not to love?
This is an easy meal to put together. The hamburger can be cooked well ahead of time or the entire dish can be assembled and then refrigerated or frozen until ready to use. Meals like that can be lifesavers sometimes!

Cream Cheese Pasta
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Yields: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:
1 lb hamburger
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 can pasta sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
1 lb pasta, cooked (I typically use rotini.)

Directions:
   1.  Brown hamburger until no longer pink.
   2.  Using a mixer with a wire whisk, mix cream cheese, sour cream and Italian seasoning. Add pasta sauce and stir by hand. Add hamburger and 1 cup shredded cheese; stir until combined. Add pasta; mix.
   3.  Pour mixture in a glass 9x13 pan; sprinkle remaining shredded cheese on top.
   4.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until warmed through.

Source: For the Mommas

Twice Baked Potatoes

This "side dish" could practically stand on its own! The original recipe calls for bacon pieces to be added as well but I typically leave them out. However, simply by adding a generous amount of bacon I could see this dish serving as a main dish.
I like to make a double batch and stick one in the freezer because it takes a little bit of preparation and time. In the end though, it is well worth it! The potatoes are creamy and smooth but with a little rustic texture still there. It is a delightfully pleasing combination.

Twice Baked Potatoes
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Yields: 6 servings

Ingredients:
4-6 potatoes (2lbs), diced
4 oz cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheese
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder

Directions:
   1.  Fill a medium size pot 2/3 full of water, bring to a boil. Add potatoes; bring back to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes, until potatoes are tender. Drain, return to pot and slightly mash potatoes.
   2.  Add cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup cheese and seasonings. Stir until combined.
   3.  Transfer to a small casserole dish. Cover with remaining cup of cheese.
   4.  Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.
   *This recipe can be frozen before baking. Increase baking time as necessary.

Source: Stolen Moments Cooking