Caprese Pasta Salad
An easy-to-make summertime favorite, Caprese Pasta Salad is always a hit! Simple ingredients, quick to make, and oh-so-good!
Category: Summer Recipes
BLT Pasta Salad
This BLT pasta salad recipe is the perfect summer meal! It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for a potluck or picnic.
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One of my favorite things about summer is a big ol’ juicy BLT sandwich. But until those gorgeous summer tomatoes come in, I’ll be enjoying that BLT flavor in salad form. This BLT Pasta Salad gives me all that creamy, tomatoey, balcony flavor I love but in a cold and refreshing pasta salad form. Plus, it’s great for all your summer BBQs, picnics, and potlucks. So if you haven’t tried this classic summer pasta salad, put it on your list!
What’s In BLT Pasta Salad?
Okay, just in case you’ve never experienced the beautiful simplicity of a BLT sandwich, let’s start there. “BLT” stands for “bacon lettuce tomato”. A BLT sandwich is just crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, and sliced tomatoes between two slices of bread, slathered with mayonnaise. It’s simple and perfect.
For BLT Pasta Salad we keep the core flavors the same, but we flesh it out just a bit. I think lettuce is a bit too delicate for pasta salad, so I used fresh spinach instead (I think it holds up better and has better color and texture for a pasta salad). To give the dressing a little more flavor than just plain mayo, we add a little ranch dressing, lemon juice for zing, and some salt and pepper. And then finally, I added a little diced red onion to round out the flavor and texture of the salad. It’s still super simple and totally delish!
What Kind of Pasta to Use
You can use any short pasta shape for this recipe, like rotini, small shells, macaroni, orecchiette, cavatappi, or farfalle (bowtie). I went for bowtie because I thought the shape was super cute in this salad!
How Long Does it Last?
This BLT Pasta Salad benefits from a little time in the fridge (you’ll want it to sit for 10-15 minutes for the best flavor), but it will eventually dry out, so you’ll want to make it the same day if you’re serving it to guests. I ate the leftovers for two days after I originally made the salad and while it was still amazing the next day, it did get a little dry by day two. So for best results, make this salad the same day you plan to serve it and try to eat up those leftovers within a day or so!
BLT Pasta Salad
This BLT pasta salad recipe is the perfect summer meal! It's easy to make, full of flavor, and perfect for a potluck or picnic.
Servings 8 1 cup each
Calories 466kcal
Ingredients
- 8 oz. bacon $2.30
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise $0.92
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing $0.30
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice $0.12
- 1/2 tsp salt $0.02
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked pepper $0.02
- 12 oz. bowtie pasta* $1.25
- 1 pint grape tomatoes $1.89
- 1/4 red onion $0.11
- 2 cups fresh spinach (packed) $0.46
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until brown and crispy. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Once cooled, chop or crumble the bacon into smaller pieces.
- While the bacon is cooking, prepare the dressing. Stir together the mayonnaise, ranch dressing, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Set the dressing aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook until tender (7-8 minutes). Drain the pasta in a colander, rinse it briefly with cool water to cool it down, then let it drain very well.
- While the pasta is cooking and draining, prepare the vegetables. Slice the grape tomatoes in half, finely dice the red onion, and roughly chop the spinach.
- Once the pasta is cooled and drained, add it to a large bowl along with the spinach, tomatoes, onions, and dressing. Stir everything together until evenly combined and coated in dressing. Let the pasta sit for 10-15 minutes for the flavors to blend, then stir once more and serve.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 466kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 31g | Sodium: 546mg | Fiber: 2g
How to Make BLT Pasta Salad – Step by Step Photos
Begin by cooking 8oz. of bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it is brown and crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled, chop or crumble the bacon into smaller pieces.
While the bacon is cooking, make the salad dressing. Combine ¾ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup ranch dressing, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp freshly cracked pepper. Set the dressing aside.
Add a tablespoon of salt to a large pot of water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add 12oz. bowtie pasta and continue to boil until the pasta is tender (7-8 minutes). drain the pasta in a colander. Give it a quick rinse with cool water to cool it off, then let it drain very well.
While the pasta is cooking and draining, slice one pint of grape tomatoes in half and finely dice ¼ of a red onion (about ⅓ cup diced).
Roughly chop 2 packed cups of fresh spinach into bite-sized pieces.
Once the pasta is cooled and well drained, transfer it to a large bowl and add the spinach, tomatoes, onions, and dressing.
Stir until everything is evenly combined and coated in dressing. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes for the flavors to blend a little more, then give it one more stir before serving.
So summery!
More Summer Pasta Salad Recipes
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Best Hot Weather Recipes
Need to feed the family, but don’t want to heat up the kitchen? Here are 30 of our favorite delicious, low or no cook recipes for summer.
The post Best Hot Weather Recipes appeared first on Budget Bytes.
Giiiirrrl, it’s hot outside! The temperatures are starting to climb, you’re hungry, and you don’t feel like heating up the kitchen. What do you do? Order take out? Noooooooo! I’ve got you covered. Here are 30 of our best hot weather recipes that require little to no cooking and are guaranteed to keep you full and refreshed in that sweltering summer heat!
Most of these recipes are meant to be served cold, or at the very least just warm, and most contain a lot of vegetables because vegetables are cool, crisp, and refreshing in this oppressive heat! Browse our selection of meal salads, sandwiches and wraps, tacos and quesadillas, and breakfast recipes that are perfect for summer.
Meal Salads
1. Ramen Noodle Salad
Ramen Noodle Salad
This light and fresh ramen noodle salad features crisp cabbage, shredded chicken, crunchy ramen noodles and a simple homemade vinaigrette.
$8.33 recipe / $1.39 serving
Get the Recipe
This cold and crunchy Ramen Noodle Salad is the perfect light but filling cold meal for summer. Grab a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket to make this salad fast, easy, and 100% no-cook!
3. Tortellini Salad
Tortellini Salad
This fresh, vibrant, and utterly delicious Tortellini Salad feeds a crowd on a dime. The best part: you can put it together in minutes!
$15.57 recipe / $1.30 serving
Get the Recipe
Tortellini Salad is a great summertime meal to keep on hand in the fridge. It holds up for days and tortellini cooks in a matter of minutes, so you won’t have to cook long!
3. Panzanella
Panzanella
This scrumptious Panzanella salad is a quick and delicious way to use up day-old bread, ripe tomatoes, and other summer produce. For the ultimate convenience, you can even prep the ingredients ahead of time.
$13.54 recipe / $2.26 serving
Get the Recipe
Take advantage of fresh summer produce and use up leftover stale bread in this classic summer salad. Panzanella is light, fresh, and fully customizable to what you have on hand!
4. Crunchy Kale and Chicken Salad
Crunchy Kale and Chicken Salad
This Crunchy Kale and Chicken Salad is full of flavor, texture, and a tangy-sweet homemade dressing. It's perfect for your weekly meal prep!
$6.19 recipe / $1.55 serving
Get the Recipe
Another great use for a rotisserie chicken, this super filling Crunchy Kale and Chicken Salad is the perfect summertime lunch or light dinner!
5. Antipasto Salad
Antipasto Salad
This super hearty antipasto salad is full of cured meats, cheeses, and pickled vegetables for an extra flavorful and filling salad.
$16.92 recipe / $2.12 serving
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For all the meat and cheese lovers out there who need something cold when the temperatures are high, this simple Antipasto Salad will satisfy your cravings! Savory, hearty, and totally no-cook, this one is a winner.
6. Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Mediterranean Tuna Salad
This simple, fresh, and filling Mediterranean Tuna Salad makes an easy protein-packed make-ahead lunch for your workweek.
$7.89 recipe / $1.32 serving
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Cold, refreshing, full of protein and fiber, and completely mayo-free, this Mediterranean Tuna Salad is not the tuna salad your mom used to make!
7. Turkey Taco Salad
Turkey Taco Salad
This Turkey Taco Salad is an easy, light, and fresh dinner that's flexible enough to feed all your family members, no matter how picky!
$11.29 recipe / $2.82 serving
Get the Recipe
Quickly browning up some ground turkey is all the cooking you’ll need to make this delicious and light Turkey Taco Salad. It’s a great dinner option for hot summer nights!
8. Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad
This chunky chopped Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad is a great fresh salad that can be eaten on its own or turned into several different easy lunch ideas!
$4.84 recipe / $1.61 serving
Get the Recipe
Whip up a batch of this Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Salad and eat for days! Use rotisserie chicken to make it 100% no-cook, or quickly sear a chicken breast in a skillet for a low-cook option.
9. Lemony QUinoa and Artichoke Salad
Lemony Artichoke and Quinoa Salad
This Lemony Artichoke and Quinoa Salad is a light and refreshing summer salad that holds up well in the refrigerator and is perfect for meal prep!
$6.74 recipe / $1.69 serving
Get the Recipe
Perfect for meal prep, the only cooking you’ll need to do for this hearty and vegan Lemony Artichoke and Quinoa Salad is boiling up a batch of quinoa!
10. Tomato Mozzarella Pasta Salad
Tomato Mozzarella Pasta Salad
This Tomato Mozzarella Pasta Salad with homemade Parmesan Balsamic Vinaigrette is the perfect light and fresh summer meal. Perfect for potlucks!
$8.59 recipe / $1.43 serving
Get the Recipe
With hearty chunks of mozzarella, fresh tomatoes and spinach, tender bowtie pasta, and a homemade balsamic dressing, this Tomato Mozzarella Pasta Salad is everything you’ll want in a cold summertime meal!
Sandwiches and Wraps
11. Best Veggie Sandwich
The Best Veggie Sandwich
Use what you have on hand to build the best vegetarian sandwich packed with color, flavor, and texture. Eat the rainbow!
Get the Recipe
Take advantage of all that fresh summer produce by making the BEST veggie sandwich ever. We’ve got tons of ingredient suggestions and flavor combos for you to try!
12. Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad
Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad
Light, bright, and full of spring flavors, this Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad will keep you full all afternoon. Serve as a sandwich, wrap, or salad!
$2.46 recipe / $1.23 serving
Get the Recipe
Totally no-cook and full of bright, fresh flavors, this Scallion Herb Chickpea Salad is the ultimate answer to hot weather summertime meals.
13. Chicken Salad with Apples
Chicken Salad with Apples
This chicken salad is packed with sweet and crunchy apples, tart dried cranberries, and a light and creamy homemade dressing.
$10.35 recipe / $2.59 serving
Get the Recipe
Use a rotisserie chicken to make this cold, fresh, and sweet Chicken Salad with Apples 100% no-cook for summer!
14. Greek Chicken Wraps
Greek Chicken Wraps
Prep the ingredients for these Greek Chicken Wraps to keep on hand to build fresh wraps or salads all week.
$14.54 recipe / $2.42 per wrap
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Warm chicken, fresh tomatoes and cucumber, and a bright and cool yogurt sauce make these Greek Chicken Wraps an extra refreshing summertime lunch.
15. Sriracha Chickpea Salad Wraps
Sriracha Chickpea Salad Wraps
Creamy, spicy, and filling, these Sriracha Chickpea Salad Wraps are an easy option for your brown bag lunch. Customize to use whatever vegetables you have!
$3.37 recipe / $1.69 each
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The perfect juxtaposition between cold and spicy, these Sriracha Chickpea Salad Wraps are an easy, flavorful, and refreshing no-cook summer lunch.
16. BBQ Tofu Sliders
BBQ Tofu Sliders
BBQ Tofu Sliders are an easy and inexpensive alternative to pulled meat sandwiches. With a simple and uncomplicated ingredient list, this is a tofu dish anyone can master!
$4.33 recipe / $1.44 serving
Get the Recipe
A quick sauté of chopped tofu is the only cooking you’ll need to do for these tasty vegetarian sliders. Bonus: you can eat these BBQ Tofu Sliders as a bowl meal with the homemade coleslaw, too!
17. Egg Salad Sandwich
Easy Egg Salad
This quick and easy egg salad is perfect for busy days or whenever you need a fast, inexpensive, delicious, and filling meal!
$1.34 recipe / $0.67 serving
Get the Recipe
Egg Salad Sandwiches are a classic for a reason! They’re super easy, cheap, delicious, and filling. Done and done!
18. Cucumber Sandwiches
Cucumber Sandwiches
Cucumber sandwiches with a dilly cream cheese spread are a light and refreshing lunch or snack to serve with tea or brunch.
$5.06 recipe / $0.42 serving
Get the Recipe
When it’s hotter than Hades but you know you’ve got to eat, these simple Cucumber Sandwiches are fast, easy, super refreshing, and won’t make you feel overly full.
Tacos and QUesadillas
19. Fish Tacos with Cumin Lime Slaw
Easy Fish Tacos with Cumin Lime Slaw
These super easy Fish Tacos with Cumin Lime Slaw are light, fresh, and the perfect quick dinner for hot summer nights, or any night!
$9.17 recipe / $2.29 serving
Get the Recipe
Talke about FRESH! These Fish Tacos are topped with a bright and tangy cumin lime slaw that has summer written all over it!
20. Creamy Spinach and White Bean QUesadillas
Creamy White Bean and Spinach Quesadillas
Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, these insanely delicious Creamy White Bean and Spinach Quesadillas make an awesomely fast weeknight dinner.
$3.99 recipe / $1.00 per quesadilla
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Super fast and easy, these Spinach and White Bean Quesadillas are creamy and satisfying without a lot of time in the kitchen required!
21. Tajín Shrimp Tacos
Tajín Shrimp Tacos
These bright and zesty tacos feature Tajín seasoned shrimp and a simple slaw dressed with a homemade avocado dressing.
Get the Recipe
22. Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas
A brief sauté of the shrimp in a skillet is all the cooking you’ll need to do for these super simple and fresh shrimp tacos!
Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas
These Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas are an easy vegetarian snack or light meal that are filling, flavorful, and freezer-friendly!
$6.61 recipe / $0.66 each
Get the Recipe
This Budget Bytes Classic Recipe is great anytime of year, but it’s definitely a life saver during the hot summer months! A quick crisp-up in a hot skillet is all the cooking you’ll need to make these Hearty Black Bean Quesadillas!
23. Blackened Shrimp Tacos
Blackened Shrimp Tacos
Smoky and spicy shrimp, sweet and tangy slaw, and a zesty garlic lime sauce make these Blackened Shrimp Tacos seriously delicious!
$7.93 recipe / $1.32 per taco
Get the Recipe
Spicy, creamy, and fresh, these Blackened Shrimp Tacos are the BEST! You’ll want to make them all summer long!
Breakfast Recipes
24. Green Smoothie
Green Smoothie
This Green Smoothie is creamy, tangy, and light! Yes, it's good for you, but more importantly, it's so yummy you'll start to crave it.
$6.21 recipe / $0.78 serving
Get the Recipe
Green smoothies are packed with fresh summer fruits and a little spinach for good measure! They’re ultra refreshing and filling for hot summer mornings.
25. Muesli
Muesli
Rolled oats, dried fruit, and nuts soaked in cold milk or yogurt make Muesli a quick and refreshing meal prep breakfast for summer!
$2.54 recipe / $0.32 serving
Get the Recipe
Muesli is the O.G. overnight oats. With thick rolled oats, nuts, and dried fruit that you can eat with cold milk or yogurt, this simple breakfast will fill you up with no cooking required!
26. Chocolate Coffee Breakfast Smoothie
Chocolate Coffee Breakfast Smoothie
This Chocolate Coffee Breakfast Smoothie is a dessert-worthy treat and a sneaky way to add an extra dose of vegetables to your day.
$0.84 each
Get the Recipe
Skip the frappuccino and make your own cold coffee-filled breakfast treat! This Chocolate Coffee Breakfast Smoothie tastes like a Frostie, but is packed with breakfast goodies, even a little bit of vegetables!
27. Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowls
Peanut Butter and Jelly Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowl
Hearty oats, creamy cottage cheese, sweet jam, and rich peanut butter make a filling and delicious no-cook breakfast.
Get the Recipe
We’ve got SIX different flavors of these protein-filled, meal prep ready, COLD Cottage Cheese Breakfast Bowls for you to try!
28. No-Sugar Added Blueberry Almond Overnight Oats
No Sugar Added Blueberry Almond Overnight Oats
These Blueberry Almond Overnight Oats are naturally sweet without any added sugar, and provide plenty of flavor and texture to keep you happy and full all morning.
$4.52 recipe / $1.13 serving
Get the Recipe
The natural sweetness of applesauce is all the sugar you need to make these dessert-like, hearty and refreshing Blueberry Almond Overnight Oats!
29. Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies are slightly sweet, super creamy, deliciously filling, and make a fast and easy snack or breakfast!
$0.71 each
Get the Recipe
This simple and classic Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie is my go-to for breakfast or anytime during the day when the weather is hot!
30. Double Chocolate Overnight Oats
Double Chocolate Overnight Oats
Double Chocolate Overnight Oats make your morning routine fast and easy. Just grab and go with a jar of these delicious chocolate oats!
$1.58 recipe / $0.40 serving
Get the Recipe
Because you deserve dessert for breakfast after surviving this heat. ;) These Double Chocolate Overnight Oats feel like you’re eating chocolate pudding, but are chock-full of breakfast goodness.
I’d love to hear your summer favorites, too! Share your favorites in the comments below.
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Easy Peach Coffee Cake
This easy peach coffee cake takes a handful of pantry staple ingredients and turns them into something special! This is a recipe you can make for breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert any time of year. Coffee cake is such a versatile thing to make. I mean, it’s hard to find another baked good that is …
The post Easy Peach Coffee Cake appeared first on My Baking Addiction.
This easy peach coffee cake takes a handful of pantry staple ingredients and turns them into something special! This is a recipe you can make for breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert any time of year.
Coffee cake is such a versatile thing to make. I mean, it’s hard to find another baked good that is socially acceptable to eat for breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert.
Whether it’s a classic cinnamon coffee cake, pumpkin coffee cake in the fall, or a lemony blueberry coffee cake in the spring, I love them all.
This easy peach coffee cake is my newest addition to that list. It uses just a handful of pantry staples but turns them into a perfectly light, moist, peach-packed cake. Plus, since it uses canned peaches, it can be made any time of year!
(more…)The post Easy Peach Coffee Cake appeared first on My Baking Addiction.
Ensalada de Aguacate (Avocado Salad)
Ensalada de Aguacate, a Puerto Rican-style Avocado Salad, is a quick and easy summer salad you can make for about a dollar a serving.
The post Ensalada de Aguacate (Avocado Salad) appeared first on Budget Bytes.
Ensalada de Aguacate, a Puerto Rican-style Avocado Salad, is a quick and easy summer salad that’s so tasty and refreshing you’ll find yourself craving it on sweltering days. To bulk up the salad, I layer the creamy avocado with cooling slices of tomato. So technically, it’s an Ensalada de Aguacate y Tomate (Avocado and Tomato Salad), but who wants to type all of that out 150 times? Not this girl. Oh yeah- it comes in at under a dollar a serving! #win
What Is Ensalada De Aguacate?
This avocado salad is a very popular Latin dish, and every family has their own spin on it. It’s slices of creamy avocado, pungent onions, and in this case, tangy tomatoes dressed in a very simple mix of oil and vinegar. Some versions also include vegetables like bell peppers and radishes, fruit like mango and grapefruit, cheeses like Queso Fresco or Mozzarella, or proteins like chicken, walnuts, or sliced hard-boiled eggs.
What You’ll Need
This Avocado Salad makes for a beautifully composed salad, but you don’t have to go crazy with it as I did here. I love salad with a wow factor, and taking a few extra minutes to layer the components makes for a beautiful presentation. You can present the salad in a bowl, but do your best to mix it gently, or the avocado will fall apart faster than a reality show housewife. Here’s what you’ll need to make Ensalada de Aguacate:
- Avocado: This fruit is the star of the show and adds creamy and slightly nutty notes to our salad, along with a creamy texture. I know someone, somewhere, will ask me what to substitute for the avocado in the avocado salad because they hate avocado. And to them, I say, just leave it out and enjoy a tasty tomato salad. (Editor’s note: Beth, please check out my lack of sarcasm and my extra-large serving of helpful advice. I’ve grown!)
- Yellow Onion: This has an assertive spiciness that helps cut through the fatty avocado. You can sub it with any onion you have on hand, including green onion. If you use red onion, make sure to soak it for a minute in cold water to make it less pungent. If you’re not about that onion life, skip it.
- Tomato: This fruit adds a sweet tartness to the salad and helps bulk it up to keep it budget-friendly. Use any ripe tomato you have on hand. If you’re not a fan of tomatoes, substitute them with cucumber, grapefruit, or mango.
- Olive Oil: This is the fat in our simple dressing. In a pinch, substitute the olive oil with canola, sunflower, or any nut oil. Just be aware the flavor profile will change significantly.
- Distilled White Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar: These are the acids in our dressing. I mix them to create deeper flavors but feel free to use either one on its own. You can also use any other clear or lightly-colored vinegar, though the punchier it is, the better.
How To Pick Avocados
- Look for blackish-dark-green skin, which signals that the avocado has ripened. Bright green skin means they aren’t ready.
- When you gently press a finger into the avocado skin, the flesh should give slightly. If it’s mushy, its time has passed.
- Flick off what’s left of the stem at the top of the avocado. If it loosens easily and reveals a lime green top, it’s ripe. If it doesn’t flick off, it’s not ripe. If it flicks off and the top is black, it’s too ripe for a salad but might work for guacamole.
How To Ripen Avocados
To help ripen an avocado quickly, place it in a paper bag with an apple or a banana. Close the bag and leave it at room temperature. The natural gases released by the apple or banana will help your avocado mature faster. Some Tik-Tok folks think you can use a microwave to ripen an avocado, but all you’re doing is cooking the avocado, which softens it but will still taste like an unripe avocado.
What To Serve With Avocado Salad
This Ensalada de Aguacate pairs beautifully with other Puerto Rican dishes like Puerto Rican Rice and Beans, Arroz Con Pollo, Chuletas Guisadas, or Pollo Guisado. However, you don’t have to have a Latin spread to enjoy it! Add it as a side at your next cookout. It pairs wonderfully with BBQ Ribs, Sausage Kebabs, Smash Burgers, or Marinated Portobello Mushroom Burgers
Ensalada De Aguacate (Avocado Salad)
Ensalada de Aguacate, a Puerto Rican-style Avocado Salad, is easy, ready in just ten minutes, and the kind of summer salad that's so refreshing and tasty you'll find yourself craving it on sweltering days.
Servings 4 cups
Calories 205kcal
Ingredients
Dressing
- 2 Tbsp distilled white vinegar $0.07
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar $0.03
- 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.11
- 1/8 tsp salt, plus more to taste $0.01
- 1 pinch black pepper $0.01
- 2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro (plus a few whole leaves for garnish) $0.05
Salad
- 2 medium tomatoes $0.90
- 1/2 medium yellow onion $0.38
- 2 medium avocados $1.98
- 3/8 tsp salt, divided $0.02
Instructions
- Make the dressing. In a mason jar, add white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, finely chopped cilantro, salt, and pepper. Cover and give it a good shake.
- Slice the tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick rounds, then slice the rounds into halves. Slice the yellow onion into 1/4-inch thick half-moons. Slice the avocados into 1/4-inch thick half moons. If the avocados are large, then slice the half-moons in half.
- Add half the tomato slices to a large dinner plate in one layer. Spoon 2 teaspoons of the dressing on the tomatoes and sprinkle with 1 pinch of salt.
- Add half the onions in a single layer and drizzle with 2 teaspoons of dressing and a pinch of salt. Add half of the avocado slices in a single layer, and follow with 2 teaspoons of dressing and a pinch of salt.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining slices of tomatoes, onions, and avocados. Garnish with a few cilantro leaves and serve.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 300mg | Fiber: 7g
How to Make Ensalada De Aguacate – Step by Step Photos
Make the dressing. In a mason jar, add 2 tablespoons white vinegar, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Cover and give it a good shake.
Slice two medium tomatoes into 1/4 inch rounds, then slice the rounds into halves. Then cut half a medium yellow onion into 1/4 inch into half moons. Finally, slice two medium avocados into 1/4-inch half moons. Add a touch of the dressing to the surface of the avocados to keep them from turning brown.
Add half the tomato slices to a large dinner plate in one layer. Spoon 2 teaspoons of the dressing on the tomatoes and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
Add half the onions in a single layer on top of the avocado and drizzle with 2 teaspoons of dressing and a pinch of salt. Next, add half of the avocado slices in a single layer on top of the sliced onion, and follow with 2 teaspoons of dressing and a pinch of salt.
Repeat the layering process with the remaining tomato, onion, and avocado slices. Garnish with a few cilantro leaves and serve. Guaranteed this will be one of the most refreshing summer salads you’ve ever had!
More Easy Summer Salads
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Sausage Kebabs
With just a few simple ingredients, Sausage Kebabs are a fast, easy, and delicious way to enjoy summer grilling.
The post Sausage Kebabs appeared first on Budget Bytes.
You know me, I love sausage. Especially smoked sausage. It’s packed with SO MUCH flavor that you barely have to do anything to make a delicious meal out of it. And that’s why these sausage kebabs are ridiculously easy, super tasty, and are the perfect summertime meal. They feel as splurgy as going out to eat, except way less expensive. 😉 And don’t worry, if you don’t have a grill, you can still make them using a grill pan or your oven’s broiler!
Ingredients for Sausage Kebabs
Okay, this recipe is so crazy easy, you’re going to love it! You only need to pick up a few simple ingredients at the store to make these awesome kebabs:
- Smoked Sausage: the sausage is bringing most of the flavor to this party with its herbs and spices and deliciously smoky flavor. You can use any type of smoked sausage that you’d like. Pork sausage, beef sausage, turkey sausage, andouille sausage, kielbasa, whatever you like!
- Vegetables: I like to go for a rainbow of color to make the kebabs visually enticing, but if you’re working with a very tight budget you can go with just green bell peppers and yellow onions. It’s still going to be delicious!
- Oil and Spices: A simple mix of smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper gives everything on the kebabs a nice light coating of extra flavor. The oil helps the spices stick and keeps everything from drying out on the grill.
- BBQ Sauce: A final slather of BBQ sauce gives the kebabs a sticky sweet and tangy coating that is just to-die-for! You can use any flavor BBQ sauce you’d like. I vote for a hickory smoke or spicy BBQ.
No Grill? No Problem.
These sausage kebabs are perfect for tossing onto a hot grill, but if you don’t have a grill you can still whip them up with no problem using your oven’s broiler or a grill pan on the stove top. The broiler on an oven is very similar to a grill in that it provides close range high heat. If you have a gas stove it’s even closer to being just like the open flame of a grill.
To use a broiler: Adjust the oven’s rack so that it is about 5-6 inches away from the broiler. Turn the broiler on to high. Place a wire cooling rack on a baking sheet, then place the kebabs on top of the wire rack. Transfer the kebabs to the oven and cook under the broiler, watching very closely, until they are slightly charred on top. Flip the kebabs and brush a light coating of BBQ sauce over the cooked side. Continue to cook, flip, and brush with BBQ sauce until all sides are charred, coated in BBQ sauce, and the sauce has caramelized slightly.
To use a grill pan: Heat the grill pan over medium-high heat. Make sure to allow the pan to fully pre-heat for about 10 minutes. Place the kebabs on the grill pan and cook until charred on one side. Flip the kebabs and brush a light coating of BBQ sauce over the cooked side. Continue to cook, flip, and brush with BBQ sauce until all sides are charred, coated in BBQ sauce, and the sauce has caramelized slightly.
What to Serve with Sausage Kebabs
You’ll definitely want to serve these sassy little kebabs with other summertime classics like macaroni salad, vegetable pasta salad, sweet corn salsa, potato salad, three bean salad, and maybe some lemon cream pie for dessert!
Sausage Kebabs
With just a few simple ingredients, Sausage Kebabs are a fast, easy, and delicious way to enjoy summer grilling.
Servings 4 two kebabs each
Calories 460kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 14 oz. smoked sausage $4.29
- 1 red onion $0.43
- 3 bell peppers (any color) $3.77
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil $0.08
- 1 tsp smoked paprika $0.10
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
- 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
- 1/4 tsp freshly cracked pepper $0.02
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce $0.33
Instructions
- Slice the sausage into ½-inch thick rounds. Chop the onions and bell peppers into 1-inch pieces.
- Place the sausage and vegetables in a large bowl. Drizzle the cooking oil over top. Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then sprinkle over the sausage and vegetables.
- Toss the sausage and vegetables until well coated in oil and spices.
- Build the kebabs by skewering the sausage and vegetables in an alternating sequence. You should get about eight kebabs, depending on the size of your skewers and vegetables.
- Cook the kebabs over a hot grill, on a hot cast iron grill pan (preheated well over medium-high heat), or under your oven's broiler (about 5-6 inches from the broiler) until the kebabs are slightly charred on one side.
- Flip the kebabs and continue to cook until charred on a second side. Brush a light coating of BBQ sauce over the side that has already been charred. Continue to cook, turn, and brush on BBQ sauce until the kebabs are charred on all sides and the BBQ sauce is slightly caramelized. Serve hot and enjoy!
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Notes
Total cook time will vary depending on the cooking method and heat level.
Nutrition
Serving: 2kebabs | Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 34g | Sodium: 1358mg | Fiber: 2g
How to Make sausage kebabs – Step by Step Photos
Slice one 14oz. link of smoked sausage into ½-inch thick rounds. Chop one red onion, one green bell pepper, one yellow bell pepper, and one orange bell pepper into one-inch pieces. (You can use any color peppers or onions that fit your budget.)
Place the sausage and vegetables into a large bowl. Drizzle 2 Tbsp cooking oil over top. Combine 1 tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp freshly cracked pepper in a bowl, then sprinkle it over the sausage and vegetables.
Toss the sausage and vegetables until everything is evenly coated in oil and spices.
Build the kebabs by skewering the sausage and vegetables in an alternating pattern. You should get about 8 kebabs, depending on the length of your skewers and size of your vegetables.
Cook the kebabs on a grill, under your oven’s broiler, or on a hot grill pan until lightly charred on one side. Flip the kebabs and brush a light coating of BBQ sauce over the cooked side. Continue to cook, flip, and brush with BBQ sauce until all sides are charred, coated in BBQ sauce, and the sauce has caramelized slightly.
Serve hot and enjoy with your favorite summer sides!
More Easy Kebab Recipes
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Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes
Strawberry shortcake cupcakes turn a summertime favorite into a portable dessert! Lightly sweet yellow cupcakes are filled with strawberries, topped with whipped cream frosting, and finished with more diced strawberries. They’re almost too pretty to eat! This summer has been pool time, pool time, and more pool time. We even turned our shed into a …
The post Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes appeared first on My Baking Addiction.
Strawberry shortcake cupcakes turn a summertime favorite into a portable dessert! Lightly sweet yellow cupcakes are filled with strawberries, topped with whipped cream frosting, and finished with more diced strawberries. They’re almost too pretty to eat!
This summer has been pool time, pool time, and more pool time. We even turned our shed into a snack shop for the summer. Elle serves her friends treats through the window and has a pink neon “open” sign.
Is there anything more summer than that?
I think one of the most perfect treats she could share with her friends would be these strawberry shortcake cupcakes. They take the quintessential summer dessert – strawberry shortcake – and make it portable and shareable in the form of cupcakes.
(more…)The post Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes appeared first on My Baking Addiction.
Ratatouille
Ratatouille is a classic French dish from Provence made with eggplant, peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil and herbs- a celebration of summer in one dish! Serve with crusty bread or baguette as an appetizer, serve over creamy polenta,…
Lemon-Blueberry Bundt Cake
Tart lemon and sweet blueberries combine in this lemon-blueberry bundt cake for a summery dessert that can’t be beat. Dust it with powdered sugar or top it with a lemony cream cheese glaze for the perfect finish. I know it’s controversial, but I would choose a lemony dessert over a chocolatey dessert nearly any day. …
The post Lemon-Blueberry Bundt Cake appeared first on My Baking Addiction.
Tart lemon and sweet blueberries combine in this lemon-blueberry bundt cake for a summery dessert that can’t be beat. Dust it with powdered sugar or top it with a lemony cream cheese glaze for the perfect finish.
I know it’s controversial, but I would choose a lemony dessert over a chocolatey dessert nearly any day.
From homemade lemon bars to chewy lemon sugar cookies, lemon is where it’s at for me.
And this lemon-blueberry bundt cake is no exception. If you love the combination of lemon and blueberries as much as I do, this bundt cake is a MUST for you this summer!
(more…)The post Lemon-Blueberry Bundt Cake appeared first on My Baking Addiction.
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Savory grilled tomatoes with garlic and oregano, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. A delicious, healthy, summery side dish in 20 minutes! Vegan.
