Easy Fixings as Close as a Cupboard

When you need a timely dinner, serve one of these fix-ups that start with foods you can keep in the cupboard or the refrigerator.

--Creamy Pasta Salad: Stir together 1 prepared 6 5/8- or 7 1/4-ounce package macaroni-and-cheese mix, 1/2 cup buttermilk salad dressing and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Fold in 1 cup frozen peas. Chill 3 to 24 hours in refrigerator or 20 minutes in freezer. Stir in 1/4 cup milk to moisten, if necessary.

--Texican Skillet: Stir together one 15-ounce can chili beans with chili gravy, 1 prepared 6 5/8- or 7 1/4-ounce package macaroni-and-cheese mix and 1 to 2 tablespoons jalapeno pepper relish. Heat through.

--Tuna Mac: Stir together 1 (8 1/2-ounce) can peas and carrots, drained; 1 prepared 6 5/8- or 7 1/4-ounce package macaroni-and-cheese mix and 1 (6 1/2-ounce) can tuna, drained and flaked. Heat through.

--Farm-Style Dinner: Stir together 8 ounces fully cooked smoked turkey sausage, sliced, 1 undrained 8-ounce can lima beans and 1 prepared 6 5/8- or 7 1/4-ounce package macaroni-and-cheese mix. Heat through.

--Cinnamon Sticks: Separate 1 package of 8 refrigerated bread sticks. Uncoil. Brush with 2 tablespoons melted margarine or butter. Dip into mixture of 3 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Bake according to package directions.

--Cinnamon Snails: Leave bread sticks coiled. Brush and dip as directed above. Bake according to package directions.

--Olive Appetizer Puffs: Separate 1 package of 4 refrigerated crescent rolls into 2 rectangles. Pinch perforations to seal. Cut each portion lengthwise into 4 strips. Roll each strip around pitted black olive or pimiento-stuffed olive. Place on baking sheet. Bake in 400-degree oven about 8 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.

--Cheese Crescents: Separate 1 package of 4 refrigerated crescent rolls. Top each with 2 tablespoons shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeno peppers. Roll up and bake according to package directions.

--Biscuit Buns: Separate 1 package of 6 refrigerated biscuits. Snip into small pieces. Place in 6 greased muffin cups. Brush with melted butter or margarine. Sprinkle with cooked bacon pieces or sesame seed. Bake in 400-degree oven 8 to 10 minutes or until golden.