Easy Pasta Recipes

FAQS

What type of noodle should I use?

• Type of noodle. Pasta is pretty forgiving in that you can use virtually any type of noodle in a given recipe, with the exception of maybe Homemade Lasagna.
  • Spaghetti, angel hair, linguine, and fettuccine are all similar and can be substituted for one another.
  • Penne, bow tie, wagon wheel, shell, rigatoni, fusilli, and ziti can often be used interchangeably.

How to Boil Pasta?

See How to Cook Pasta for additional tips. Boiling 2 ounces of dry pasta per person is a good guideline. Once cooked, 2 ounces of pasta is about 1-1¼ cups of cooked pasta. 

1. Fill a pot with water. Use 4 quarts of water for every pound of pasta to give pasta enough room and avoid clumping. Add a lid and bring the water to a boil. (For added flavor use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water to cook the pasta.)
2. Optional: Once the water is boiling add salt. Add 1-2 tablespoons of salt for every pound of pasta.
3. Add the pasta to the boiling water. Cook uncovered until the desired tenderness (al dente is usually the best). Refer to the package for specific times. The best way to test for doneness is to bite into a piece.
4. Drain pasta in a colander. Lightly rinse with water to keep the pasta from sticking to each other. However, don’t add olive oil as the oil will prevent sauces from sticking to the pasta.

Can I use precooked meat?

• Many of the recipes use precooked meats like chicken or ground beef. For easy prep, I portion the meat into 1 pound bags and then store them all in the freezer. Simply grab a portion from the freezer, thaw it, and use it!

Variations?

• Pasta with simple ingredients. Pasta pairs well with almost any flavor and texture. To mix it up try:
  • Sauce. Add a simple pasta sauce like Basil Pesto Recipe, Homemade Marinara Sauce, or Alfredo Sauce.
  • Veggies. Sautéd, roasted, or grilled vegetables are a healthy addition. Favorites include onion, spinach, bell pepper, olives, asparagus, and broccoli. For picky eaters, shredded carrots, zucchini, and diced mushrooms can easily be hidden in sauces.
  • Protein. Mix protein in the dish or add to the top such as chicken, shrimp, bacon bits, pancetta, tuna, anchovies, or ground turkey, sausage, or beef.
  • Cheese. Sprinkle cheese like mozzarella, pecorino, or parmesan on top or melt it into the dish.
  • Fresh herbs and spices. Season dishes with black pepper, salt, or red pepper flakes. Use fresh herbs like parsley and basil, in general use three times the amount of fresh herbs as you would dry.