Easy Italian Pasta Salad [+ Video]

This easy Italian Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for summer picnics or potlucks. Packed with fresh vegetables, cheese, pepperoni and dressed with a zesty homemade Italian dressing, this salad is sure to be a hit. Plus, check out the recipe video for step-by-step instructions!

Have you made our Greek Pasta Salad? It’s really good and one of the most popular recipes on our site. Here’s the thing though, not everyone is a fan of feta cheese, so we felt like we had no choice but to bust out an amazingly easy pasta salad recipe complete with mozzarella cheese, fresh and flavorful homemade Italian dressing, and meat and colorful vegetables galore.

There’s something about pasta salad recipes and summertime that just make the world happy. I get almost giddy the closer we get to summer just thinking about dusting off the BBQ and pulling out the lawn chairs for outdoor cookouts with friends. Make some grilled chicken and grilled corn on the cob with this pasta salad with Italian dressing, and you have yourself the perfect summer dinner!

What’s in Italian Pasta Salad?

I’ll be honest with you — our kids totally pick out some of the ingredients in this homemade pasta salad. Two of our kids love straight up cold pepperoni. So Cade and I are left to eat whatever’s leftover from this pasta salad with pepperoni. The joys of parenthood!

To make this pasta salad recipe, you’ll need:

• Rotini Pasta: Any short, sturdy pasta works great like penne, farfalle, fusilli, macaroni, etc.
• Pepperoni
• Salami
• Black Olives
• Mozzarella Cheese: Fresh mozzarella balls are preferred.
• Parmesan Cheese: freshly grated
• Bell Pepper: I prefer a red, yellow or orange bell pepper.
• Tomatoes: Grape or cherry tomatoes work great.
• Red Onion
• Italian Salad Dressing: You can grab some at the grocery store or make it at home with the recipe we’ve included below.

The measurements needed for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Italian Pasta Salad

Don’t let all the mix-ins fool you, this Italian pasta salad with pepperoni is as easy as it gets! It’s just a matter of cooking the pasta, choppi

The Best Cheesy Funeral Potato Casserole [+Video]

Funeral potato casserole is a creamy, cheesy comfort food packed with rich, savory flavors. Made with tender hash browns, melted cheese, sour cream, and a crunchy golden topping, it’s the perfect balance of smooth and crispy.

Perfect for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving or just a cozy Sunday dinner with the fam!

I grew up not knowing about “funeral potatoes,” but moving to Utah introduced me to this classic dish. It’s essentially a cheesy potato casserole or a hash brown casserole, and the funny name comes from its tradition as a side dish often served at funeral luncheons.

This comforting, popular dish is perfect for feeding a crowd, making it ideal for family gatherings, holiday dinners, or even as a main dish when paired with ham. While I’ve never actually had it at a funeral, I’ve enjoyed it countless times during the holidays, and it’s always a hit!

Why Do They Call It Funeral Potatoes?

You might wonder why these cheesy delights are called “funeral potatoes,” and let me tell you, it’s not as gloomy as it sounds! Everyone—seriously, everyone—has their own special recipe for this potluck superstar. While they’re known by different names all over the place, the tradition of serving them at funeral luncheons in Utah is what sticks. I was a bit skeptical at first, thinking, “How good can cheesy potatoes really be?” But after one bite, I was a total convert! The creamy, cheesy goodness combined with that crunchy topping is pure magic. Whether it’s a holiday dinner or a family gathering, these potatoes are always a hit and bring a comforting vibe to the table. So, let’s celebrate this quirky name and dig in!

Variations

Swap the Soup
For a deeper, earthier flavor, substitute cream of mushroom soup for the cream of chicken soup. It adds a subtle richness that pairs perfectly with the cheesy potatoes.

Change Up the Topping
Instead of the classic cornflake topping, sprinkle one of these delicious alternatives on top for a different texture and flavor:

• Ritz Crackers: Crushed Ritz Crackers add a buttery, golden crunch.
• Potato Chips: Crushed potato chips create a salty, crispy topping that complements the creamy casserole.
• Bread Crumbs: Use plain or seasoned bread crumbs for a lightly crisp topping.
• Extra Cheese: Skip the crunch and sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese over the casserole for an extra layer of gooey, cheesy goodness.

Ingredients Needed for Funeral Potato Casserole

Ok, I’m not going to lie about this dish, there is nothing healthy about it. Haha! That is probably why it is so dang good! It’s a dish you want to have on special occasions, but probably not multiple times a week. Here is your grocery list:

• Cream of Chicken Soup – You can use store-bought or make it from scratch yourself. Head to our Cheesy Ground Beef and Rice Casserole post for a from-scratch recipe. You

Most Delicious Sausage Cheesy Breakfast Soufflé [+Video]

Cheese soufflé made from 4 different cheeses, sausage and eggs makes the best breakfast casserole of all time! I love it so much and keep going back for more!

Well, I don’t even know what I need to say about this one other than, it’s pure cheese, folks, and I’m not talking about my jokes. Ohhhhh, whomp whomp. Haha, I couldn’t help it.

This is a very old recipe from my family that for once isn’t my mom’s. In fact, I’m not even sure if she makes it at all. But we eat it when we visit my aunt and when I say eat it, I mean, DEVOUR IT.

I know, it looks unassuming and no, I don’t have any idea how I’ll convince you to try it, but you must. You really, really must, because it is the most melt in your mouth breakfast casserole you’ll ever consume. And best of all, you can easily change it to your own liking. Pepper jack cheese? Great idea. Bacon or ham? Bring it on.

This is going in your recipe box, and you’ll be making it until the cows come home. Or so my ancestors would have said.

What Ingredients are Needed for a Cheesy Egg Soufflé?

You’ll be hitting your cheese and dairy sections at the grocery store for this one! For the cheeses, I like to buy them in bricks and grate it on my own. They melt together so much better than the pre-shredded cheese. And you know I always go with Tillamook! Here is your grocery list:

• Sausage
• Monterey Jack Cheese
• Cheddar Cheese (sharp)
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Milk
• All Purpose Flour
• Cottage Cheese (full fat, low fat or fat free all work great)
• Eggs
• Butter
• Green Chiles

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card below.

How to Make a Cheese Soufflé

The steps for making a breakfast cheese soufflé recipe are few and simple. It only takes about 10 minutes to prep and then 50 minutes to bake. Here are the basic steps:

• Spread half of the melted butter in your baking dish and be sure to brush the sides with the butter as well.
• Combine all the ingredients (including the remaining butter) in a large bowl and stir it well.
• Pour the egg mixture into the prepared baking dish.
• Bake. It should be golden brown and a knife poked in the middle comes out clean.

The instructions can also be found in the recipe card down below.

 Watch How This Cheesy Egg Souffle Recipe is Made…

Perfect Cheese Fondue and What to Dip in Fondue

Cheese fondue and all the sides you could want for a happy New Year’s Eve celebration! Pull out your skewers, because it’s time to dip all the things in cheese! This fondue is creamy and smooth and is a blend of 3 cheeses.

What does New Year’s Eve look like at your house? Do you have any food traditions? Cheese fondue has become a favorite NYE tradition of ours. It is so fun to put that big pot o’ cheese in the middle of a bunch of fun dipping choices!

What is your favorite thing to dip in cheese fondue? We are going to share all our favorite dippers as well as how easy it is to make this fondue. As long as we are having a party, make a batch of dessert chocolate fondue too and dip away!

What Ingredients Go in Cheese Fondue?

This ingredients list is short and simple! Grab these three cheeses and few things you probably already have, and you’re on your way to cheese town! Here is everything you need for this cheese fondue recipe:

• Fontina Cheese
• Gruyere Cheese
• Smoked Gouda
  • TIP: Buy all the cheeses in a block and shred it yourself. The pre-shredded cheeses are coated in additives that prevent them from melting together properly.
• EZ Gel or Corn Starch
• Garlic Clove
• Chicken Broth
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Dijon Mustard
• Nutmeg

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post. And don’t forget to buy all the stuff for dipping too. See section below for our suggestions.

How to Make Cheese Fondue?

You aren’t going to believe how easy it is to make your cheese fondue at home! Here are the steps:

1. Toss: Grate all the cheeses and toss with the EZ Gel (or cornstarch) and set aside.
2. Rub: Slice a garlic clove in half and then rub the exposed side all over inside your fondue pot (or saucepan).
3. Simmer: Add the broth and vinegar to the pot over medium heat and bring it to a simmer.
4. Stir: Add the grated cheese mixture to the pot one handful at a time and stir until melted.
5. Mix: The mustard and nutmeg get added last. Stir them in until smooth.
6. Serve: Serve with all your favorite accompaniments.

The steps for making this recipe can also be found in the recipe card below.

What to Dip in Cheese Fondue?

Th