103 creamy optional Recipes

russet potatoes, peeled and halved, butter , cut into cubes, cream cheese, cut into cubes and softened, sour cream, hidden valley dry ranch dressing mix (start with 1/2 package adding in more to taste), milk (optional and as needed for extra creaminess, or use whipping cream) (optional)

boneless skinless chicken breasts, reduced-sodium chicken broth, ground black pepper, fresh spinach , torn (or half of a 10-oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained), low-fat plain yogurt, all-purpose flour, salt, ground cumin, nonfat milk, chopped green chili peppers, drained, flour tortillas (7-inch), shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese or 1/2 cup monterey jack cheese, purchased salsa (optional) or chopped tomato (optional), snipped fresh cilantro (optional) or thinly sliced green onion (optional)

extra virgin olive oil, chicken tenders , cut into 1/2 inch thick slices, chili powder, ground cumin, salt and pepper, apples, cut into 1/2 inch cubes, onion, chopped, butter, flour, chicken broth, milk, pinto beans or 2 (15 oz) cans white beans, drained and rinsed, monterey jack cheese (about 8 oz), toasted tortilla, optional for serving (optional), chopped scallion, optional for serving (optional)

chocolate graham cracker crumbs (about 12 squares), splenda granular, sugar substitute, unsweetened cocoa powder (regular or dutch process), butter or 1/2 cup margarine, low fat cottage cheese, style light cream cheese (1/3 less calories than regular cream cheese) or 8 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, at room temperature (1/3 less calories than regular cream cheese), style fat free cream cheese, at room temperature, semi-sweet chocolate chips, splenda granular, sugar substitute, brown sugar, dutch-processed cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, vanilla extract, almond extract, egg, egg whites, light sour cream, chocolate curls (optional) or chocolate chips (optional), fat-free whipped topping (non-dairy whipped topping) (optional) or fat free cream (non-dairy whipped topping) (optional) or cool whip lite (non-dairy whipped topping)

orzo pasta, olive oil, shallot, finely chopped, garlic clove, minced, diced tomatoes , juices drained, frozen peas (optional) or 1 cup green beans (optional), whipping cream, freshly grated parmesan cheese, salt and pepper

onion, chopped, butter, diced tomatoes, undrained (if you like a spicier taste, use rotel), condensed tomato soup, undiluted, milk, sugar, dried basil, paprika, garlic powder, cream cheese, cubed, croutons (optional) or bagel chips, shredded cheese (optional)

tomatoes (or 28 oz can whole undrained), butter, chopped onion, chopped celery, low-fat milk, baking soda, sugar, celery salt, low-sodium tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt and pepper, to taste, shredded cheddar cheese (optional) or 1/2-1 cup american cheese (optional)

onion, extra large, chopped, carrots , coarsley chopped (can use more), celery ribs, sliced, minced fresh garlic (to taste), butter , plus, butter, divided, head cauliflower (cut into small florets or chopped ), chicken broth, fresh parsley, finely chopped, salt and pepper, dried basil, dried tarragon (optional but good to use ), flour, full-fat whole milk or 1 cup half-and-half cream, whipping cream, grated parmesan cheese, sour cream

cubed hash brown potatoes, frozen, chopped onion, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, margarine, melted, salt & pepper, sharp cheddar cheese, grated, green pepper, chopped (optional), chives (optional) or pimiento, chopped (optional)

butter, divided, day-old bread, cubed, onions, quartered & thinly sliced, water, chicken bouillon granules, all-purpose flour, milk, divided, shredded swiss cheese, divided, pepper, fresh minced chives (optional) or fresh minced parsley (optional)

butter, potatoes, peeled and sliced, salt, fresh ground black pepper, milk, cheddar cheese, shredded, parsley, chopped (optional garnish )

low-fat milk, quick-cooking oats, raisins (optional) or 1/4 cup other dried fruit (optional), sugar (or brown ), cinnamon

low-fat (2%) milk, polenta, sugar, salt, blackberry jam (see notes ), lightly sweetened whipped creme fraiche (optional; see notes )

crushed pineapple (in its natural juice), gelatin, non flavor, eggs, whipping cream, sliced pineapple (optional, to garnish ), mint (optional, to garnish ), lemon leaves (optional to garnish )

olive oil, spanish onion- diced, green pepper- diced, red pepper- diced, crushed garlic, salt and ground black pepper, red lentils (any variety is fine), chicken broth, flour (make a slurry with 1/4 cup water), crushed red pepper flakes (optional heat )

extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, minced, tomato paste, tomato sauce (i use my own homemade, but a can will work in a pinch), tomatoes (crushed, stewed or diced , not sauce or whole), vegetable stock, salt, pepper , to taste, bay leaf, dried basil (optional, use if using canned sauce or no basil in larger can of tomatoes), sour cream, shredded pecorino romano cheese (optional)

olive oil, dried onion flakes, minced garlic, dried basil, mccormick beef base, diced zucchini, sliced fresh mushrooms, diced tomatoes, undrained, beef broth (optional) or 1/2 cup chicken broth (optional), heavy cream

garlic cloves, crushed, olive oil, mushrooms, sliced (you can substitute other veggies if you prefer, like zucchini), sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (drained and chopped ) or 1/2 cup of red pepper pesto sauce, your favorite ready-made spaghetti sauce, red wine, balsamic vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes, cream cheese (cubed ), pasta (penne or whatever you like), shrimp (peeled and deveined ) (optional) or chicken piece (optional)