Pasta dishes

My DH has really gotten the cooking bug recently and his favourite things to prepare are pasta dishes.  He has already blown through his pasta cookbook (and as a result, we have enjoyed some fantastic soups, salads, casseroles, etc) but he is looking for something different.  Although, somewhat simple because he is new to cooking.  If it is more complicated, we would still be interested because I can help him and he can learn. I also figured that it would be great for others to use the recipes as well.

What are your favourite pasta dishes?  Please share!

hmm, I can share the pasta recipes I've made from my new cookbook (which  is aimed towards beginner cooks) but they might be too simple for him if he's already done all the ones in his pasta cookbook!  The spinach and cream sauce pasta is my favorite so far 

This is a good one and different. It's Rachel Ray who I can't stand but this recipe is good..

Vodka Cream Pasta

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, once around the pan in a slow stream
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, minced
1 cup vodka
1 cup chicken stock
1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces)
Coarse salt and pepper
16 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate
1/2 cup heavy cream
20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn
Crusty bread, for passing


Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Add oil, butter, garlic, and shallots. Gently saute shallots for 3 to 5 minutes to develop their sweetness. Add vodka to the pan, 3 turns around the pan in a steady stream will equal about 1 cup. Reduce vodka by half, this will take 2 or 3 minutes. Add chicken stock, tomatoes. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until cooked to al dente (with a bite to it). While pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes.

Stir cream into sauce. When sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from heat. Drain pasta. Toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves. Pass pasta with crusty bread.

hmm, I can share the pasta recipes I've made from my new cookbook (which  is aimed towards beginner cooks) but they might be too simple for him if he's already done all the ones in his pasta cookbook!  The spinach and cream sauce pasta is my favorite so far 

Please share!  He can use the practice on the simple stuff! 

Thanks, StephanieLea!  That sounds yummy!

We're doing this one this week. I got the recipe from my husband's Roman friend so straight from an Italian!!

Broccoli and pine nut pasta (serves 2)

Small head of broccoli
Penne or other shaped pasta for 2
1/4 c pine nuts
1-2 cloves garlic, chopped
red pepper flakes
olive oil

First cut up the broccoli into small pieces and boil in salted water until fairly soft but not falling apart. Remove to a bowl. *genuine Italian hint coming up!* Now boil the pasta in the same water you did the broccoli in (sometimes he will throw some garlic in the water for both broc and pasta, too). While pasta is cooking, heat a bit of olive oil in a frying pan. Add garlic and gently fry. Add pine nuts and fry (watch that the heat isn't too high for this). Add red pepper flakes. Smash up the broccoli (you're almost making broccoli pesto here) and add to garlic mix. Fry up a bit.

Once the pasta is done, you might want to add a bit of pasta water to the broccoli to make it a bit 'saucier'. Drain the pasta and toss in the sauce.

Serve with more pine nuts on top and shaved parmesean.

This is a good one and different. It's Rachel Ray who I can't stand but this recipe is good..

Vodka Cream Pasta

I concur.  it is a good recipe!

Please share!  He can use the practice on the simple stuff! 

Okay, I'll type it up when I get home and post it!

Another one from Rachel Ray. It's really easy to make and really tasty! I had friends over the night I made it and it was a hit!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_28782,00.html

 

My fave pasta dish is lemon, garlic and cream cheese, with or without salmon flakes.  V easy, prob in the book.

I can't really do a recipe as I make it up as I go along, and it's slightly different each time.

Vicky

Yay for husbands who cook!

A few dead easy recipes that I like:
With greens and pine nuts
With butternut squash
With cauliflower, olives, and almonds

I can post my faux alfredo sauce after I get home--it uses tinned evaporated milk rather than cream.

Usually, though, I just wing it with pasta. In the summer we tend to throw whatever veg is on hand into a pan and saute it, add cooked pasta and saute briefly, and top with whatever sort of cheese we have around. Different every time!

My fave pasta dish is lemon, garlic and cream cheese, with or without salmon flakes.  V easy, prob in the book.

I can't really do a recipe as I make it up as I go along, and it's slightly different each time.

Vicky

Sounds yummy!  We are wanting to try things with a bit less meat (not particularly a meat fan, myself and DH wants to eat less of it) and that sounds tasty.  I can experiment with the ingredients!

We're doing this one this week. I got the recipe from my husband's Roman friend so straight from an Italian!!

Sounds tasty!  We will give that a try too!  Great recipes so far!  Keep them coming!

I will post one of our favourite recipes later, but, I am at work so, I don't have it here!

We do variations on pesto pasta a lot. Essentially we either go with traditional pesto (basil and pinenuts) or the variation of rocket and walnuts instead. Then we just chuck in whatever we fancy - grilled chicken, more pine nuts, sauteed peppers, and mushrooms are some of the favourites. Not terribly clever, but yummy. 

My fave pasta dish is lemon, garlic and cream cheese, with or without salmon flakes. 

I do that, but add some asparagus too!  

I can post my faux alfredo sauce after I get home--it uses tinned evaporated milk rather than cream.

Usually, though, I just wing it with pasta. In the summer we tend to throw whatever veg is on hand into a pan and saute it, add cooked pasta and saute briefly, and top with whatever sort of cheese we have around. Different every time!

Please do!  I generally wing it myself, but, this has become DH's thing and he needs a recipe.  He is so new to cooking, he likes having something to follow.  He told me yesterday, "You just have a knack for cooking."  I guess telling him that I dated a chef for three years which resulted in my having loads more confidence in the kitchen would be letting my secret out! 

carbonara

small red onion- fry with pancetta or bacon & garlic & pinch of red pepper flakes(sometimes i put mushrooms in)
cook spaghetti
mix up egg & 1/4 c creme fraische & pepper & 2 T of grated parm

quickly drain pasta and put in pan with onion/bacon/garlic/pepper flakes.  turn off heat!  pour in egg/creme fraische/pepper/parm and stir quickly.  the heat of the pasta & bacon cooks the egg and makes a lovely sauce.

stir in chopped parsley at last minute- if you have any.