Today, she’s whipping up a super fast, budget-friendly, and easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Veggies—the ultimate comfort meal made right out of your pantry! Using basic staples like ramen noodles, canned chicken, mixed veggies, and melted cheese, this quick dish comes together in just minutes without breaking the bank.

Check out the full recipe below and follow along to make it at home!

Ingredients (Cookin Recipe)

• 2 packs of Ramen
• 1 can of chicken or tuna
• 1 can of mixed veggies or a small frozen bag
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 packet of ramen seasoning

Instructions

1. Boil the Noodles: Cook the 2 packs of ramen noodles in boiling water according to the package directions (omit or set aside the second seasoning packet). Drain the water.
2. Mix & Heat: Return the cooked noodles to the pot over low heat. Add the canned chicken (or tuna), mixed veggies, 1 packet of ramen seasoning, milk, and shredded cheese.
3. Melt & Serve: Stir continuously until the cheese is completely melted and everything is hot and creamy. Serve warm and enjoy!

On the Menu: No-Fuss Potato SoupWarm up with our cozy, simple-to-make potato soup recipe. It's comforting, budget-friendly, and perfect for any chilly evening!

Ingredients
6 cups diced potatoes

5 cups water

1 cup diced onions

1/2 cup diced celery

1 cup chopped carrots

1 Tbsp margarine or butter

4 tsp chicken bouillon granules

1/2 tsp salt & pepper

12 oz can evaporated milk

3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

2 cups shredded cheese

Instructions
Combine the diced potatoes, water, diced onions, diced celery, chopped carrots, margarine or butter, chicken bouillon granules, salt, and pepper in a large pot.

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until the vegetables are tender.

Stir in the evaporated milk and chopped fresh parsley, heating through gently without letting it boil.

Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheese until completely melted and creamy. Serve warm!

Local Food Pantry Operating Hours & Locations in Granbury, TexasBeyond the kitchen, we want to highlight our incredible local food pantries here in Granbury and their current operating hours:Loaves and FishesAddress: 500 West Bluebonnet DriveHours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.Rancho Brazos Community Center (in affiliation with Paula's Pantry)Address: 3224 Tumbleweed LaneHours: Fridays, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.People Helping PeopleAddress: 306 King's PlazaHours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Mission GranburyAddress: 3611 Plaza East CourtHours: Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.La ReunionAddress: 2723 Maplewood StreetHours: Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.Note: Make sure you stick around for the bloopers at the end!Connect with UsLike, comment, and subscribe for more local recipes and community stories from Hood County!

You can always head over to the Neighbors Feeding Neighbors Facebook page or visit www.nfnhoodcounty.org to get updated information on local pantries, community news, and a full list of locations—including the current list of pantries offered across Hood County and the 18 outdoor mini-pantries scattered around the area. Interested in volunteering? You can head over to that website as well to find out how you can help!   

Local Food Pantry Operating Hours & Locations in Granbury, Texas

Beyond the kitchen, we also want to highlight our incredible local food pantries here in Granbury and their current operating hours:

Loaves and Fishes

Address: 500 West Bluebonnet Drive

Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Rancho Brazos Community Center (in affiliation with Paula's Pantry)

Address: 3224 Tumbleweed Lane

Hours: Fridays, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

People Helping People

Address: 306 King's Plaza

Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Mission Granbury

Address: 3611 Plaza East Court

Hours: Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

La Reunion

Address: 2723 Maplewood Street

Hours: Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

P.S. Make sure you stick around for the bloopers at the end.

Episode 3 of The Pantry Project is officially live on YouTube. Chef Ruth is joined by special guest Dora Garcia, Program Coordinator for food insecurity initiatives at the Cook Children’s Center for Community Health.

We dive deep into Dora's incredible work connecting families with fresh food, container gardening workshops, and local partnerships with groups like Rancho Brazos Community Centers and Texas A&M AgriLife. Plus, we're sharing a quick, healthy, and budget-friendly recipe you can whip up in minutes using basic pantry staples!

Today's Featured Recipe: Dora Garcia’s 5-Minute Creamy Bean Spread
Choose your beans: 1 can of white beans, 1 can of garbanzo beans, or 1 can of pinto beans

Base: Olive oil or cooking oil

Citrus: 1 lemon

Choose your seasonings: Roasted garlic, salt and pepper, taco seasoning, or cumin

Choose your veggies (for dipping): Carrots, celery, bell peppers, tomatoes

Local Food Pantry Operating Hours & Locations in Granbury, Texas
Beyond the kitchen, we also want to highlight our incredible local food pantries here in Granbury and their current operating hours:

Loaves and Fishes

Address: 500 West Bluebonnet Drive

Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Rancho Brazos Community Center (in affiliation with Paula's Pantry)

Address: 3224 Tumbleweed Lane

Hours: Fridays, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

People Helping People

Address: 306 King's Plaza

Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Mission Granbury

Address: 3611 Plaza East Court

Hours: Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

La Reunion

Address: 2723 Maplewood Street

Hours: Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Be sure to check out the new video, try out the bean spread, and please share this post to help spread the word about these valuable community resources!

#ThePantryProject #CookChildrens #CommunityHealth #GranburyTX #HealthyEating #LocalFoodPantries #ChefRuth #HoodTalkMedia

Beyond the kitchen, we also want to highlight our incredible local food pantries here in Granbury, Texas, and their current operating hours:

Loaves and Fishes

Address: 500 West Bluebonnet Drive

Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Rancho Brazos Community Center (in affiliation with Paula's Pantry)

Address: 3224 Tumbleweed Lane

Hours: Fridays, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

People Helping People

Address: 306 King's Plaza

Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Mission Granbury

Address: 3611 Plaza East Court

Hours: Tuesdays through Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.; Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

La Reunion

Address: 2723 Maplewood Street

Hours: Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Be sure to check out the new video, and please share this post to help spread the word about these valuable community resources!

#PHUProject #GranburyTX #CommunitySupport #LocalPantries

In this premiere episode, Chef Ruth whips up a delicious, cheesy Spaghetti Bake and welcomes special guest deAnna Hines, Executive Director of the United Way of Hood County, to taste-test the final masterpiece straight from the oven!

Spaghetti Bake Recipe
Ingredients:

8 oz uncooked spaghetti

3 cups cooked ground beef

1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with the juice

1 jar (24 oz) tomato sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided

2 tsp. Italian seasoning

1 tsp. garlic powder

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

2 cups beef stock

1/2 cup shredded parmesan

Instructions:

Prep & Mix: Combine your uncooked spaghetti, cooked ground beef, diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, beef stock, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, parmesan cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella in your baking dish, mixing thoroughly.

First Bake: Cover and bake at 400°F for 50 minutes.

The Cheese Finish: Uncover, add the remaining mozzarella cheese on top, and bake for another 5 minutes until melted, bubbly, and golden brown.

Serve & Enjoy: Let cool slightly before serving!

Make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for new recipes every week! Let us know in the comments what pantry ingredients you want to see us cook with next.

Learn more about our community initiatives at United Way of Hood County website www.unitedwayofhoodcounty.com

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