National Pasta Day is here, and we are 100 percent down for it. We can't praise pasta enough for always being there for us, with its sub-$1 price for a thin package that will feed you for multiple meals. Even if you stick to healthier pasta spinoffs, like whole wheat noodles, zoodles, or spaghetti squash, these easy, filling and comforting recipes will still blow you out of the water.
Enjoy!
1. One Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta
No need to go overboard on a weeknight by using more than one dish, when you can do it all in one. Double win: the starchy pasta water will thicken up and flavor this dish, making it extra creamy.
2. Zucchini and Lemon Spaghetti
This dish is perfect for zoodles if you have a spiralizer or julienne slicer. We love to mix in about 1/3 zoodles to 2/3 pasta if you go that route, but that's just us. You do you.
3. Skillet Mac and Cheese Pizza
Life's rough when you can't choose between mac and cheese and pizza. Luckily, we've found you the perfect way never to have to make that difficult decision again.
4. Pesto with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Roasted Asparagus
That fried egg is optional, but the extra protein boost totally ties the whole thing together with super rich creaminess.
5. Creamy Vegan Tomato-Basil Pasta
Let's be honest, cashew cream makes EVERYTHING better -- although you can swap it out for ricotta cheese, plain yogurt or half and half if you really want to be boring.
6. Easy Beef Stroganoff
Take your hands off that Hamburger Helper! All you need for top-notch homemade stroganoff is 30 minutes and this recipe. Bonus: If you are one of THOSE people who hates mushrooms, go ahead and puree the sauce so it tastes just like the box, but better.
7. Winter Squash Carbonara with Pancetta and Sage
This rock-your-socks-off naturally creamy dish is super adaptable. If you don't have fresh squash, you can totally use plain canned (unspiced and unsweetened, please!) pumpkin puree. And feel free to add any of the following: crumbled walnuts, toasted pumpkin seeds, meat/tofu, or, our favorite -- a drizzle of balsamic vinegar, which ties everything together 100 percent perfectly.
8. Skinny Fettuccine Alfredo
This dish combines chicken stock, flour and low fat milk for a naturally creamy and lower-calorie version of your fave so you can inhale a whole pot of pasta and feel half as guilty as you would have otherwise.