Fresh greens, nutty edamame, sweet cranberries, plenty of cheese, wonton crisps, and a handful of fresh mushrooms tossed in a tangy sweet honey mustard dressing add up to this unforgettable Crunchy Spinach Salad. Inspired by one of my favorite restaurant salads, this salad never fails to remind me of road trips with family.

As you already know, I grew up in New Mexico and I have loved Dion’s Pizza for as long as I can remember. There’s no such thing as a trip back home that doesn’t include a stop there for at least one meal. Even my green chile ranch was inspired by our love for their dressing, since we couldn’t get it after moving out of state. So, I’m thrilled to share another Dion’s copycat salad today.

Dion’s Crunchy Spinach Salad

I fell for the crunchy spinach salad the very first time I tried it. I was visiting my sister Jenny in NM and she ordered this salad along with our pizza. I had always ordered their chef salad, so when this one showed up, I wasn’t sure what to think about it.

It’s hard to believe that was almost ten years ago. I can not believe it took me until this summer’s road trip to Arizona to finally try my hand at this recipe. But, I am proud of myself for remembering to put the ingredients on my shopping list while I was still eating it. How’s that for thinking ahead?

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This crunchy, cheesy Sauteed Cauliflower has me over here make the same side dish on repeat multiple times a month lately. It’s jaw-droppingly easy to pull together, and my boys like it so much they snag pieces right out of the pan.

If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I’m a longtime fan of simple, satisfying, and just downright tasty side dishes that I can throw together on busy nights, and sides like sauteed broccoli and asparagus are often seen on my meal plan.

Sauteed Cauliflower

And this cauliflower? It falls right in line with that: hearty, cheesy, and just plain easy to make. From start to finish, all the prep and cooking for the dish can be done in less than 30 minutes with a minimum of fuss.

I love the contrast of textures in this dish, too. The cheesy cauliflower and crunchy breadcrumbs pair together so well. One of my boys, normally a fierce critic of any dish containing cauliflower, even came back for seconds!

Ingredients and Substitutions

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The bold flavors of ripe, juicy tomatoes marinated in balsamic vinegar with plenty of seasonings make this Tomato Pasta Salad an easy winner. And, the actual prep involved? Just ten minutes of effort. Hands-down one of the easiest pasta salads I’ve ever made.

I adore pasta salad. It’s super simple to make and a great way to use up any vegetables you have on hand. And, what I’ve learned over the years is that the right dressing makes ALL the difference. These Marinated Tomatoes are a super shortcut to a fabulous pasta salad that hits way above its weight class in the flavor department.

Tomato Pasta Salad

I’ve been marinating tomatoes this way for over 15 years now and they’ve become a summer staple in my kitchen. And once I stumbled upon using the leftover marinade as a salad dressing, it was a natural next step that led me from the tomatoes to this pasta salad.

And I’m so glad it did. I top everything off with freshly shredded parmesan for a touch of that cheesy, nutty goodness. I love the way that a generous handful of parsley brightens the whole salad with herb-y freshness too.

Once you’ve made this salad, you’ll likely agree that this salad deserves it’s place in the dinner rotation.

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Tired of the same pasta recipes? You’ll love my quick and easy roasted red pepper pasta recipe! It’s so creamy and satisfying that you’ll be moving it into your regular dinner rotation!

This simple pasta recipe is a fun way to switch up your weeknight pasta rotation, because the roasted red pepper sauce is lightly creamy, tangy, and filled with a sweet and smoky flavor with minimal effort from you!

I am going to have to quote the pioneer woman here…”GROAN”. Seriously, this roasted red pepper pasta is all too delicious. Roasted red peppers really make this dish. Don’t be put off by roasting your own peppers, it really is worth it and not as complicated as it may sound.

The first time I made this recipe, I used whole wheat rigatoni, and although I couldn’t keep my finger out of the sauce, the whole wheat pasta just didn’t work for me. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE whole wheat pasta, but some sauces just need something else.

This time we used orecchiette and it was like little pockets of heaven!!!!!!! We really liked it a lot more than the rigatoni. I love how they hold the sauce and are still so light. This recipe really is a must try. Let me know how it goes!

Ingredients for Red Pepper Pasta

• Red Bell Peppers: The star of the sauce—roasted for sweetness and smoky depth, giving the pasta its rich flavor and vibrant color.
• Pine Nuts: Add nuttiness and natural creaminess when blended into the sauce; also give a subtle, buttery flavor.
• Pasta (orecchiette or campanelle): Both shapes hold sauce beautifully—their curves and nooks catch the creamy roasted pepper mixture for maximum flavor in every bite.
• Olive Oil: Adds richness, carries the flavors of garlic and shallot, and helps create a silky sauce.
• Shallot: Sweeter and milder than onions, shallots add gentle depth and balance to the sauce.
• Garlic: Brings savory, aromatic flavor that enhances the peppers and ties the sauce together.
• Salt: Essential for balancing sweetness, enhancing flavor, and seasoning the pasta water.
• Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce super smooth, creamy, and comforting while balancing the roasted pepper’s acidity.
• White Wine or Cooking White Wine: Adds acidity and brightness, cutting through the richness and giving a subtle complexity to the sauce.
• Parmesan Cheese: Brings salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce while adding that irresistible cheesy finish.
• Basil: Adds freshness and a pop of herbal brightness that balances the creamy, smoky, savory flavors.

How to Make Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Our family’s Roasted Red Pepper Pasta is an easy weeknight meal for when you’re in a hurry. All you

If crispy hot tater tots make you grin, then you have got to try these irresistible Smashed Tater Tots! Every time I make these, my whole family just stands around and grabs them off the pan.

Who doesn’t love cheese and potatoes? I’ve been making snacks, entrees, and side dishes around this pairing since “the 1900s”, as my boys are all too happy to laughingly remind me. This recipe was inspired by our favorite cheesy bacon tater tots, and these smashed potatoes with parmesan are also quite similar. I will caution you, though. These tots are immensely snackable. They will not last long!

And the best part? It’s just four ingredients. Tots, cooking spray, cheese, and parsley. That’s it. The prep work takes less than five minutes. Then, it’s just a matter of time!

Smashed Tater Tots

My friends, I have to admit that I love tater tots. Whether served as a side dish, main course, or just a snack on the go, they’re a simple, satisfying, and endlessly versatile potato. And, you already know how much we love potatoes around here! Tots have become one of my favorite options to bulk up a last-minute dinner, or try out any new dipping sauces I’m testing.

But, smashing is the move! You bake the tots first to get them warm and soft inside, then press each one flat with the bottom of a measuring cup. They go back into the oven at a higher temp, and get so wonderfully crunchy and crispy. And, since you’re starting from frozen, there’s absolutely no fuss with this recipe for smashed tater tots.

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