Spaghetti is one of my go-to meals. I make it at least once a week since it’s easy and quick to boil water, cook noodles until al dente, and add my favorite marinara sauce. But there are so many more ways to enjoy pasta! Here are three recipes that are sure to be a hit at the dinner table.
LEMON BROCCOLI PASTA
The key word in this recipe is fresh: Use fresh (not frozen) broccoli, fresh (not jarred) garlic, and freshly squeezed lemon juice to make the flavors pop. This dish is light and refreshing and comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium shallot, minced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz. whole wheat rotini, uncooked
- 1¾ cups water
- 1½ cups chicken broth
- 1 Tbsp. lemon zest
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. ground pepper
- 2 small heads broccoli, coarsely chopped
- 4 tsp. lemon juice, or more to taste
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
In a medium pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring, about 2 minutes or until starting to soften. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add pasta, water, broth, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Cover and bring to a boil. Uncover, reduce heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Add broccoli and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and transfer to large bowl. Mix in lemon juice and top with Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 servings.
STUFFED TACO SHELLS
Tacos are one of my favorite foods, so this recipe was a guaranteed winner! It combines perfectly seasoned meat, a bit of heat from the taco sauce, melty cheese, and soft pasta shells. While tortilla chips are optional, my taste tester (aka my husband for those who are new) and I agreed they elevated the dish and added a satisfying crunch. Note: We used plant-based meat, but feel free to swap it for lean ground beef.
Ingredients
- 18 jumbo pasta shells, uncooked
- 1½ lb. plant-based beef
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 3 oz. fat-free cream cheese
- 1 16-oz. bottle taco sauce, divided
- ¾ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
- Tortilla chips, coarsely crushed
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse in cold water, and drain again.
While pasta is cooking, add beef to a large skillet and cook on medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cream cheese, and ½ cup taco sauce until blended. Mix in ¼ cup shredded cheese.
Spoon about 1½ tablespoon filling into each shell. Place in casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Top with remaining taco sauce. Bake, covered, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chips. Makes 6 servings.
GOULASH CASSEROLE
This dish could easily become one of my new favorite comfort foods with its flavorful mix of ground turkey, vegetables, and macaroni. It’s also great for meal prep since it’ll stay fresh for several days in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lean ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook macaroni according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, cook ground turkey over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet with turkey. Cook until vegetables are tender. Stir in paprika, oregano, and black pepper. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer. Add cooked macaroni to skillet and stir to combine.
Transfer mixture to a casserole dish. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Makes 8 servings.
Noodles galore
In the mood for noods? Here are more delicious pasta recipes to try:
