23 Easy Pasta Recipes That Only Look Fancy (2024)

FAQs

How to jazz up boring pasta? ›

Butternut or acorn squash, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and onion are all great options to add to a pasta dish, along with some minced garlic, olive oil, and herbs. Of course, you can also always make a homemade cheese sauce from milk or cream, grated cheese, flour or cornstarch, and salt and pepper.

Cook your pasta to just before al dente.

Because pasta continues to cook after it's drained, remove it from the stovetop just before reaching the al dente stage. This is super important for thin pastas like angel hair and for pastas that will be baked with a sauce like lasagna.

The real Pasta Cacio e Pepe was turned into the “emptied” form of cheese and creamed by adding cooking water and pepper. A dish of the Lazio tradition, made with two ingredients, as often happens with many Italian recipes: you do with what there is available. There are no other ingredients: pasta, cheese and pepper.

Warm a few garlic slices and cherry tomatoes in a bit of olive oil, and stir until the tomatoes burst. Add canned tuna (packed in oil) and stir to break up the tuna chunks. Add cooked penne pasta, chopped olives, and a handful of basil leaves. So flavorful!

Cheese is an excellent way to add flavor to your pasta without having to rely on sauce. Try mixing your angel hair pasta with goat cheese, and toss in sun-dried tomatoes to make an amazing meal with just a few ingredients. Garlic butter is a terrific way to season all types of noodles.

To be sure that your pasta is cooked correctly, it is enough to follow a few, simple rules. To begin with, you should keep in mind the right quantities. In Italy, the golden rule for cooking pasta is 1, 10, 100 or 1 liter of water, 10 grams of salt for every 100 grams of pasta.

If your dish seems a bit dry or the sauce isn't coating the noodles as much as you like, add a splash of hot pasta water — about a quarter cup per pound of pasta. Toss until the cooking water is completely incorporated.

You should avoid pasta made from refined flour if you are looking to achieve weight loss goals. Refined pasta has been stripped of many of its natural nutrients and is higher in calories and lower in fiber, meaning you will likely feel full for less time after eating it.

What is the oldest style of pasta? ›

Testaroli has been described as "the earliest recorded pasta". It is also a native dish of the southern Liguria and northern Tuscany regions of Italy. Testaroli is prepared from a batter that is cooked on a hot flat surface, after which it may be consumed.

To enhance the flavor of your spaghetti sauce, you can add fresh vegetables, greens, and fresh herbs like basil and parsley. You can also add diced onions, fresh garlic, and red/green pepper. A splash of red wine or some dairy, such as cheese, also works great. Lastly, don't forget salt.

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

You can use whatever colors you want. Add about 20 drops of each food coloring and 2 tablespoons water to gallon-size resealable bags. When the pasta is done, drain it in a strainer and immediately run cold water over it to halt the cooking. Transfer the pasta, portioning it as you go, into the bags of food coloring.