The Best Pasta Recipes - Family Dinners

Easy Basil Pesto Pasta With Meatballs

Andrea + Stef — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 02:52:00 +0000

Easy basil pesto pasta with meatballs is a delicious and crowd pleasing meal the whole family enjoys. We love how easy this homemade pesto sauce comes together in only 10 minutes. This easy weeknight meal is very versatile and can be tossed with all your favorite noodles and meat. We used spinach and turkey meatballs to make this a healthy skillet meal but you can use Italian meatballs, chicken or shrimp if you prefer. Without doubt, this easy recipe for the best fettuccine pesto will be a huge hit with your family.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: quick and easy meal bursting with fresh Mediterranean flavors, that tastes great with chicken, meatballs and shrimp
Main Ingredients: fresh basil leaves, parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts, garlic cloves, pasta noodles, cooked meatballs and spices
Cooking Method: stovetop
Nutrients: packed with antioxidants, healthy fats and calcium
Cooking Time: 10 minutes prep time and 20 minutes cook time
Pairs well with: fresh crunchy salad, garlic bread, Caprese salad, roasted vegetables
Special Equipment Needed: large pot or saucepan, skillet, food processor, kitchen tongs

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this pesto fettuccine recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this pesto pasta fettuccine recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Fettuccine With Pesto Ingredients

2 cups fresh basil leaves (packed)
½ cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
⅓ cup toasted pine nuts
1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
¼ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or more to taste)
1 lb pasta noodles
25-30 cooked meatballs

Optional Garnish

chopped fresh basil and freshly gated parmesan cheese

Variations and Substitutions

Basil: Use fresh basil from a plant or freshly cut. Do not substitute dried basil. You can, however, substitute half or all of the basil for baby spinach, if you like.

Parmesan: In case you’re in a pinch, you can use grated parmesan from your refrigerated deli section. We don’t recommend using the grated parmesan you find on the shelves in the center aisles of your grocery store.

Nuts: We love pesto with pine nuts, however, you can substitute walnuts to make tasty basil walnut pesto. It really depends on your personal preference. Use walnut pesto the same way you’d use any pesto.

Pasta: As a matter of fact, there is no best pasta for pesto. Even though we used fettuccine for this recipe, you can use any pasta of your choice.

Meatballs: You can use store-bought meatballs or make your own. Any style of meatball works great with fettuccine pesto. Have you tired our Air Fryer Meatballs, Turkey Meatballs, Chicken Meatballs or Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs?

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this homemade pesto fettuccine recipe, try our Chicken Pesto Calzone. You’ll love them because they are crispy and golden brown on the outside and stuffed with melty cheese, juicy chicken and tasty pesto.

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Links to our favorite tools are affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may get a tiny portion of the sale.

Food Processor — We are using a food processor to make the pesto, but a blender would work well too.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook pesto pasta with meatballs on the stovetop, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

COOK PASTA: Firstly, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat, add salt and cook pasta according to package instructions. When the pasta is al dente, drain and set the hot pasta aside. Reserve starchy pasta water (¼ cup) if you want to add it to your pasta later with your pesto.

HEAT MEATBALLS: Then heat meatballs if they’ve been refrigerated or frozen.

STEP 1: Place basil, parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper into a food processor.

STEP 2: Blend the ingredients together until the basil and pine nuts are broken up into small pieces.

STEP 3: Afterwards, slowly add olive oil to food processor while pulsing.

STEP 4: Keep adding a little olive oil at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

STEP 5: In a warm skillet, heat the pesto a little bit. Then add drained pasta to your own pesto and toss. If needed, add ¼ cup of reserved pasta water to thin out the pesto. Afterwards, add the meatballs to the top of the fettuccine al pesto.

ENJOY: Finally, sprinkle freshly grated parmesan over the basil pesto pasta with meatballs and enjoy.

Stef says….

I love using this easy and scrumptious pesto for my Pesto Pasta Salad. This beautiful, flavorful, and easy to make, pasta salad brings a little bit of the Mediterranean to your table!

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love Italian inspired meatball dinners then you’ll love our Easy Baked Cheesy Meatball Sub Sandwich. This meatball stuffed sandwich bake is cheesy and full of flavor. Try pesto instead of marinara sauce for this perfect meal.

Make Ahead

Homemade pesto lasts for a about a week in the fridge. You can therefore prepare the sauce a couple of days ahead of time. Then store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best easy basil pesto pasta with meatballs.

Tip: Make sure to use fresh and bright green basil for your pesto.
Tip: Use high quality meatballs. Use your favorite frozen meatballs or make your own.
Tip: Thin out the pesto with leftover pasta water to get perfectly creamy pesto pasta.

What To Serve With Homemade Pesto Pasta with Meatballs

We love to eat easy basil pesto pasta with meatballs all by themselves. But sometimes you need to serve it as a meal. Try one of these tasty recipes:

Bread: Serve 10-minute pesto pasta with crusty bread or soft dinner rolls. Garlic French Bread is made with fresh parmesan cheese and store-bought French bread. If you have extra time make Pizza Dough Garlic Knots.

Salad: Pair this best pesto pasta recipe with a fresh salad. A green salad like our amazing Italian Salad or Chopped Asparagus Salad. Or even a Caprese Salad with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil or Antipasto Salad.

Side Dish: This fettuccine pesto main dish would taste great with Roasted Vegetables, Parmesan Roasted Broccoli or Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus.

More Pasta Recipes

We are big fans of simple recipes for yummy weeknight pasta meals. They are quick, easy, comforting and oh so good. Here are some of our other favorite pasta dishes:

How To Store

Refrigerate: Store homemade pesto pasta leftovers in an airtight container or ziploc bag for up to one week in the fridge.

Freeze: Store leftovers in a freezer ziploc bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Defrosting: Our favorite way to defrost fettuccine pesto leftovers is in the refrigerator overnight.

How To Reheat

You can reheat leftover basil pesto pasta with meatballs in the microwave the next day.

Andrea says….

I’m all about healthy eating right now and I’m pulling out my favorite healthy recipes that are full of bold flavor to keep me excited! This Pesto Chicken Wrap is super simple and such a quick and easy dish to make.

Common Questions

Can you add pasta water to your own pesto?

In case you find your pesto is sticky, you can mix your pesto with ¼ cup of the pasta water before mixing with your noodles. In case you didn’t save any pasta water, add some regular water.

What do you pair with homemade pesto sauce?

Pesto pairs naturally with cooked pasta, as a sauce on pizza or sandwiches, as a dressing on a salad or as a dip for garlic bread, for example. Additionally you can use it as a substitute for marinara sauce in a lasagna.

What flavors pair well with pesto?

Any dishes with similar ingredients (parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, basil) work well with the fresh flavors of pesto. You can also pair it well with cheese like mozzarella, for example. Pesto pairs especially well with grilled chicken or meatballs. Additionally, you can try it as a salad dressing with fresh tomatoes or dip for bread as well.

How can I use up easy pesto pasta leftovers?

In case you can’t eat all this fettuccine pesto try making it into another easy dinner. Try adding leftovers to a baking dish and then cover with fresh mozzarella slices. Bake at 350°F until the cheese is melted and any meat in your pasta is heated through again. Moreover, you can make a cold pesto pasta salad from the leftovers. Firstly, remove any leftover meat from the creamy pesto pasta. Then add sliced black olives, chunks of mozzarella, sliced grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, diced bell peppers or any other vegetables you want to add.

Easy Basil Pesto Pasta with Meatballs

Delicious pesto fettuccine pasta with meatballs makes a healthy and delicious meal for the whole family.

Course dinner

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword easy pesto pasta, easy pesto recipe, fettuccine and meatballs, homemade pesto, meatballs, pasta

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings people

Calories 540kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

large pot
Food Processor or blender
large skillet

Ingredients

Pesto Ingredients

2 cups fresh basil leaves packed
½ cup parmesan freshly grated
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
⅓ cup pine nuts
1 tablespoon garlic minced
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon pepper freshly ground

Pasta Ingredients

1 pound fettuccine pasta noodles
30 meatballs cooked

Instructions

Bring water to a boil in a stock pot or large saucepan. Follow pasta package instructions to cook noodles. When cooked, drain and set aside.
Heat meatballs if they've been refrigerated or frozen.
In a food processor, blend basil, parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper.
Slowly add olive oil to the food processor while pulsing.
In a warm skillet, toss pasta with pesto. Add meatballs on top of the pasta.
Serve with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

Optional: Substitute half the basil for spinach.
Optional: Substitute walnuts for pine nuts.
If your pesto is very thick, you can add a little more olive oil.
Use your favorite kind of meatball. We used turkey meatballs in this recipe.

Nutrition

The post Easy Basil Pesto Pasta With Meatballs appeared first on Family Dinners.

Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta (Viral TikTok Recipe)

Andrea + Stef — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 20:11:34 +0000

If you are a fan of chicken Alfredo or creamy pasta, then you’ll love this super delicious crockpot Olive Garden chicken pasta. This easy slow cooker recipe only needs 5 minutes of hands on prepping and then cooks to tender perfection all by itself. It is a great set-it-and-forget-it meal! Using only simple ingredients, Italian chicken and pasta is creamy, comforting and bursting with flavor. So if you are looking for a new easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy, then this is the recipe for you. It is the best copycat Olive Garden pasta ever! It even went viral on social media!

What is Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta?

This viral TikTok chicken pasta dish is a combination of fork tender and juicy chicken with a creamy white sauce made from Italian dressing, chicken broth, parmesan and cream cheese. It is cooked to perfection in the slow cooker and then mixed with al dente pasta.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: perfectly cooked pasta with creamy, cheesy white sauce and tender chicken
Main Ingredients: Olive Garden Italian dressing, chicken broth, parmesan cheese, black pepper, cream cheese, chicken breast, pasta
Cooking Method: Crockpot
Nutrients: great source of protein with 39g per serving
Cooking Time: prep time 5 minutes, cooking time 3-8 hours
Pairs well with: Italian Salad, Caprese Salad, crispy Garlic Bread
Special Equipment Needed: slow cooker, instant read thermometer

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this chicken and cream cheese crockpot recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this TikTok recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Ingredients

1 cup Olive Garden Italian dressing
1 cup chicken broth
¼ cup of parmesan cheese, freshly grated
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
8 oz. block of cream cheese
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed (3-4 skinless chicken breasts)
8 oz cooked penne pasta

Optional Garnish

Fresh parsley
Parmesan cheese, grated

Variations and Substitutions

Italian Dressing: Substitute creamy Olive Garden dressing for any creamy Italian salad dressing.

Chicken: Substitute boneless skinless chicken breasts for boneless skinless chicken thighs.

Noodles: Use any type of pasta you prefer. Cook separately before adding to the chicken and sauce.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this Italian dressing chicken pasta recipe, try our Easy Dump and Bake Meatball Pasta Casserole. You’ll love it because it is a quick and delicious one dish meal that the whole family will enjoy.

Recommended Tools

Links to our favorite tools are affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may get a tiny portion of the sale.

Crockpot — This recipe requires a slow cooker. We use a 6 qt. basic Crockpot brand slow cooker. It works wonderfully. If you’re planning to take your Crockpot to potlucks you’ll want to check out this one that has a locking lid. A slow cooker has an inner pot called the crock. Neither the crock nor the lid are oven safe on most machines. Do not put them in the oven.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook Olive Garden chicken pasta in the slow cooker, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

COOK THE CHICKEN: Firstly, spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Trim the excess fat off the chicken breasts and place them at the bottom of the slow cooker. Next, pour 1 cup of Olive Garden salad dressing and 1 cup chicken broth over the top of the chicken. Then, sprinkle ¼ cup parmesan cheese and black pepper over the chicken and dressing mixture. Afterwards, cut cream cheese into cubes and add to crockpot. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Andrea says….

This viral TikTok recipe is usually made with 2 cups of salad dressing and no chicken broth. We found that created a final pasta dish that tasted like it was smothered in salad dressing.

FINISH THE SAUCE: The chicken is done when an instant-read meat thermometer inserted at the thickest part reads an internal temperature of 165°F. Afterwards shred chicken with two forks or a meat shredder. Combine chicken, dressing, and cream cheese well. Let the chicken sit in the sauce for 10 minutes to absorb the flavor.

TOSS WITH PASTA AND SERVE: Finally, add the cooked pasta to the slow cooker. Toss to combine. Sprinkle with parsley and parmesan cheese before serving.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love easy and healthy pasta dishes then you’ll love our Fettuccine Pesto. Fettuccine pesto pasta is a crowd pleasing meal with homemade pesto. Make it and toss with your favorite noodles and meat.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best crockpot Olive Garden chicken pasta.

Tip: Trim the fat or any grisly parts off the chicken before cooking.
Tip: Let shredded chicken sit in the sauce in the warm slow cooker for 10 minutes to soak up more of the sauce into the parts of the chicken that had not previously touched the sauce. This will make the chicken juicier.
Tip: Cook the pasta al dente. Then gently stir cooked pasta into the chicken and cream cheese sauce.
Tip: Before serving, sprinkle the top of the finished creamy chicken pasta with chopped fresh parsley and more freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

What To Serve With Crockpot Chicken Pasta

We love to eat crockpot chicken pasta all by itself. But sometimes you need to serve it as a complete meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Bread: Serve creamy chicken pasta with crusty bread or soft dinner rolls. Garlic French Bread is made with fresh parmesan cheese and store-bought french bread. If you have extra time make Pizza Dough Garlic Knots. These delicious garlic knots are brushed with butter, seasoning and parmesan.

Salad: Pair this Olive Garden crock pot chicken with a fresh salad. A green salad like our fabulous Italian Salad or Antipasto Tortellini Salad. Or even a Caprese Salad with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. If you are serving this yummy pasta dish during summer, serve it with Stef’s incredible Peach Burrata Salad.

Italian Inspired Dessert: Serve a slice of Limoncello Loaf Cake for dessert. This sweet lemon quick bread is moist and fluffy and topped with a boozy limoncello glaze. It tastes even better topped with a scoop of Andrea’s Strawberry Sorbet.

Stef says….

I love this super yummy pasta dish, because it is very easy to fix and forget! You can cook for just 3 hours of on low for 8 hours while you work.

How To Store

Refrigerate: Let the creamy chicken pasta cool completely before transfering into an airtight container or ziploc bag. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Crockpot Olive Garden chicken pasta leftovers can be frozen in a freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Divide the pasta leftovers into individual servings before freezing, for easy portion control when defrosting.

Defrosting: Thaw in the fridge overnight.

More Pasta Recipes

Italian pasta dishes are always huge crowd pleasers in our family and they never get boring. Not only can you vary the pasta shape, but you can get super creative with sauces and what kind of meat or seafood you want to add. Some of our absolute favorites are Shrimp Fettuccine, Baked Ravioli and of course Lasagna.

How To Reheat

Reheat slow cooker chicken pasta leftovers in the microwave or in a pot on the stovetop.

Common Questions

Is there a low carb version of this dish?

In fact, you can easily turn this scrumptious dish into a low carb meal by serving it over spaghetti squash or zoodles (zucchini noodles) instead of regular pasta. Moreover, you can serve creamy Olive Garden chicken over steamed or stir fried vegetables.

What kind of pasta works best for this slow cooker Olive Garden chicken pasta recipe?

As a matter of fact you can use pretty much any pasta shape you prefer. This amazing sauce works well with penne, bow-tie or ziti pasta, for example. However, you can use long pasta, such as spaghetti, fettuccine or linguine as well.

Are there any tasty add ins for this creamy slow cooker dinner?

In case you want to add some extra flavor to you creamy pasta dish, we recommend adding some Italian seasoning, chopped garlic or chili flakes, for example. Moreover, you can boost the flavor of your sauce with chopped sun dried tomatoes, sliced black olives or sliced and sautéed mushrooms.

Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta (Viral TikTok Recipe)

This creamy chicken pasta recipe is a mouthwatering combination of Italian flavors, cream cheese, chicken and pasta. It is prepped in only 5 minutes and cooks hands off in the crockpot.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword creamy chicken pasta, crockpot chicken alfredo, Olive Garden crockpot chicken pasta, slow cooker creamy chicken pasta, viral tiktok pasta chips

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 3

Total Time 3 5

Servings servings

Calories 596kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

slow cooker
forks
cooking spoon or spatula

Ingredients

1 cup Olive Garden Italian dressing or any creamy Italian dressing
1 cup chicken broth
¼ cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked
8 oz cream cheese
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast thawed, 3-4 breasts
8 oz cooked pasta

Instructions

Spray the crockpot with nonstick cooking spray.
Trim the fat off the chicken breasts and place chicken into the crockpot.
Pour 1 cup of Olive Garden Italian dressing and 1 cup chicken broth over the top of the chicken.
Sprinkle ¼ cup parmesan cheese over the top. Then top evenly with black pepper.
Cut cream cheese into cubes. Add to crockpot.
Place lid on slow cooker and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Chicken is done when an instant-read meat thermometer reads 165°F.
Shred chicken with two forks or a meat shredder.
Mix together shredded chicken, dressing, and cream cheese well. Let chicken sit in the sauce for 10 minutes to absorb the sauce.
Add cooked pasta to the slow cooker. Toss to combine.
Serve.

Notes

Substitute Olive Garden dressing for any creamy Italian salad dressing.
Substitute boneless skinless chicken breasts for boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Use any type of pasta you prefer. Cook separately before adding to the chicken and sauce.
Keep the lid on and turn to the warm setting if you aren’t ready to serve yet.
Serve the chicken pasta in the crockpot or transfer to a serving bowl.

Nutrition

The post Crockpot Olive Garden Chicken Pasta (Viral TikTok Recipe) appeared first on Family Dinners.

Air Fryer Pasta Chips (Viral Tiktok Pasta Chips)

Andrea + Stef — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 00:11:34 +0000

You have probably already heard about air fryer pasta chips since they have become a viral tiktok sensation. But did you know how quick and easy they are to make? It takes less than 10 minutes to turn leftover pasta into a crispy, crunchy and perfectly seasoned appetizer or fun snack. You can easily vary flavor by coating the pasta in different seasoning blends and serving them with a variety of dipping sauces. This is the best air fryer pasta chips recipe and it will surely be a huge hit with your family as well.

What are Air Fryer Pasta Chips?

Pasta chips are made from cooked pasta that is coated in olive oil and spices and then cooked to crispy perfection in the air fryer. Their texture resembles the crispy bits at the edges of the top of a lasagna. They can be seasoned with whatever spices you prefer and taste amazing with lots of different dips. They are a lot healthier than traditional deep fried chips and can also be made gluten free or vegan depending on the type of pasta you use. Pasta chips, air fryer style, are the perfect snack!

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: Delicious, crispy and crunchy air fried pasta with a slight chew in the middle. This easy recipe makes a great snack. These are a healthier snack option than regular potato chips.
Main Ingredients: ziti pasta, olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper
Cooking Method: air fryer
Nutrients: pasta chips have about 60% less fat than regular chips
Cook Time: 1 minute prep time, 8 minutes cooking time
Pairs well with: marinara sauce, garlic sauce, pesto, whipped feta
Diets: vegetarian
Special Equipment Needed: air fryer

Ingredients

You may have all of these air fryer pasta chips ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

Pantry Ingredients: ziti pasta, olive oil
Refrigerated/Frozen Ingredients: parmesan cheese
Produce Ingredients: garlic
Spices: Italian seasoning, salt, pepper

Variations

Pasta: Use your favorite types of pasta noodles with different pasta shapes like bowtie pasta, penne pasta, gluten-free pasta, rigatoni pasta, farfalle pasta, or broken lasagna noodles.

Spices: Add a little red pepper flakes for a bit of spice or try a different type of seasoning mix.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love crispy air fryer pasta then you’ll love our Air Fryer Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells. Carnitas and cheese stuffed into tender pasta shells, then air fried to crispy, flavor-bursting perfection.

Recommended Tools

Links to our favorite tools are affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may get a tiny portion of the sale.

Air Fryer – This recipe requires an air fryer. We have both this Cosori air fryer, which is wonderful, and this Cuisinart Air Fryer, which we also love. The Cuisinart also has convection oven and toaster oven capacity. You can buy an air fryer with a basket with high sides that food goes into or a tray type of machine. The trays are shallow but are usually longer and can accomodate more food in a single layer.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook pasta chips in the air fryer, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE: Cook pasta according to package directions on the box of pasta for al dente pasta. In a large mixing bowl, toss al dente cooked pasta with 1 tablespoon of olive oil until well coated.

AIR FRY: Working in batches, spread a single layer of pasta in the basket of your air fryer. Be sure there is space between each noodle and avoid overcrowding. Then cook at 400° for about 8 minutes until noodles are beginning to blister and are just lightly golden brown.

ADD SPICES: While the pasta is cooking, mix together the remaining olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper. Afterwards, drizzle the olive oil mixture over the blistered pasta and toss (in the air fryer basket). Cook for 2-3 minutes longer until the pasta is golden brown.

FINISH AND SERVE: Toss cooked pasta chips with the parmesan cheese and serve immediately. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you want to turn leftover pasta shells into a crunchy, spicy and cheesy snack that’s sure to please a crowd, then Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Pasta is the perfect recipe for you. These shells are air fried until they’re crispy on the outside and gooey in the middle.

Stef says….

Did you know that you can also deep fry pasta? I cannot get enough of these crispy Fried Raviolis. They are breaded in a seasoned panko or breadcrumb coating and then deep fried into a perfect bite-sized snack. Yum!

Make Pasta Chips in the Oven

In case you don’t have an air fryer you can also make pasta chips in the oven or convection oven. Preheat the oven to 400ºF, then bake for 20-25 minutes. Oven-baked pasta chips wont be as crispy as air fried ones, but they are still absolutely delicious.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best tiktok pasta chips.

Tip: Use long, tube shaped pasta. These are easy to grab and great for dipping, as they hold some dip in the opening. We like ziti, penne, or rigatoni.
Tip: Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Only cook single layers of pasta at once. Otherwise your chips wont crisp up properly.
Tip: Don’t skip the parmesan cheese. The cheese adds immense flavor.
Tip: Serve with a dip. These pasta chips are perfect for dipping into I Mediterranean dips.

More Snack Recipes

We love serving these crispy pasta chips with dips such as Marinara Sauce, Garlic White Sauce or Pesto.

Andrea says….

Making air fryer pasta chips is a great way to turn leftover pasta into a mouthwatering appetizer. They are also a great after school snack and my kids can’t get enough of them. Bow tie pasta chips are a favorite. If you have leftover pasta you can make easy air fryer pasta chips in just 8-10 minutes. Add some parmesan to make parmesan pasta chips.

How To Store

Room Temperature: While air fryer pasta chips taste best fresh, they keep really well too. Store leftover chips in an airtight container on the counter for up to 4 days.

Freeze: We do not recommend freezing pasta chips leftovers.

Common Questions

How soft should I cook the pasta?

We recommend cooking the pasta no more than al dente, as it will continue cooking in the air fryer.

Are pasta chips hard like uncooked pasta?

No, they do not taste like raw pasta. Pasta chips are crispy, crunchy with a little bit of a chew in the middle. Their taste and texture is comparable to the crispy edge on top of a lasagna.

What dips can I serve with air fried pasta?

We love serving these delicious chips with marinara, garlic sauce, Alfredo sauce, pesto, bolognese, or whipped feta. However, they will taste amazing with most dips.

What pasta shapes work best for air fryer pasta chips?

Use pasta that is easy to grab and that holds some dip, such as penne, ziti or rigatoni for example.

Air Fryer Pasta Chips Recipe

These viral tiktok pasta chips are made in the air fryer and come out crunchy and super yummy. These cheesy, crunchy pasta chips make the perfect snack!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Italian, vegetarian

Diet Vegetarian

Keyword air fried pasta, pasta chips in air fryer, pasta chips made in the air fryer, tiktok pasta chips, viral tiktok pasta chips

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 8

Total Time 9

Servings servings

Calories 330kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

Air Fryer
small mixing bowl
spoon

Ingredients

8 oz ziti pasta cooked
3 tablespoon olive oil divided
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
1-2 cloves of garlic minced
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
¼ cup parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

Toss pasta with 1 tablespoon of olive oil until well coated.
Working in batches, spread a single layer of pasta in the basket of your air fryer. Be sure there is space between each noodle and avoid overcrowding.
Cook at 400° for about 8 minutes until noodles are beginning to blister and just lightly golden brown.
While the pasta is cooking, mix together the remaining olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Drizzle the olive oil mixture over the blistered pasta and toss (in the air fryer basket). Cook for 2-3 minutes longer until the pasta is golden brown.
Toss cooked pasta chips with the parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Notes

The pasta takes much longer to cook and does not cook up into crispy pieces if you overcrowd the air fryer basket. If you cook it in batches, be sure to divide the olive oil/garlic/seasoning mixture also so that you have enough to toss with each batch as you are cooking.

Nutrition

The post Air Fryer Pasta Chips (Viral Tiktok Pasta Chips) appeared first on Family Dinners.

Easy Dump And Bake Meatball Pasta Casserole

Andrea + Stef — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 16:20:36 +0000

Nothing says comfort family dinner like casseroles. This delicious and saucy meatball pasta casserole comes together in only 10 minutes and bakes to al dente perfection in the oven. It is an easy to make one dish dinner that combines noodles, marinara, meatballs and mozzarella cheese. For speed and convenience we use frozen cooked meatballs and our favorite store bought tomato sauce. This meatball pasta bake recipe does not require any special equipment and is therefore also great for young cooks or to make during your next self-catered vacation. Just dump and bake this meatball casserole.

What Is A Meatball Pasta Bake?

A meatball pasta bake is an easy casserole dish that requires no hands on cooking time. This is the perfect meal for busy weeknights when you don’t have much time to prep dinner. It results in delicious pasta and juicy meatballs covered in cheese. The simple recipe is a good choice for a fussy eater. With simple ingredients and easy prep this recipe is a big hit for a family dinner.

Another name for a meatball pasta bake that we’ve seen around the internet is “dump and bake meatball casserole”. That describes the dish exactly!

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: One pan meal the whole family will love. No need to pre-boil the pasta noodles or heat up the meatballs. It’s a good idea for a busy night.

Main Ingredients: frozen cooked meatballs, penne pasta, marinara sauce, water, mozzarella cheese

Cooking Method: oven baked

Nutrients: good source of protein, 39g per serving

Cooking Time: 10 minutes prep time, 50 minutes hands off baking time

Pairs well with: garlic French bread, crunchy saladSpecial Equipment Needed: 9×13-inch baking dish, aluminum foil

Ingredients

You may have all of these meatball casserole ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

Pantry Ingredients: penne pasta, marinara sauce
Refrigerated/Frozen Ingredients: mozzarella cheese (low moisture not fresh mozzarella)
Produce Ingredients: fresh parsley (optional)
Meat Ingredients: (frozen or heated) cooked meatballs – Use ground beef meatballs, Italian sausage meatballs, pork meatballs, chicken meatballs or turkey meatballs.

Variations For Easy Pasta Bakes:

More easy meatball pasta bake recipe variations you might enjoy.

Frozen Turkey Meatball Pasta Bake: Use frozen turkey meatballs.
Mozzarella Chicken Meatball Pasta Bake: Use frozen chicken meatballs for a comforting chicken pasta bake.
Chicken Parmesan Meatball Pasta Bake: Add grated parmesan cheese on top of the mozzarella cheese.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you enjoy turning frozen meatballs into delicious family dinners, the you’ll love our amazing Swedish Meatballs. They are smothered in a rich and creamy sauce. This mouthwatering comfort food is done in only 30 minutes.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook meatball pasta casserole in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

EASY PREP: Firstly, preheat the oven to 425°F. Then add pasta to the bottom of the pan, marinara and 3 cups water to a 9×13-inch casserole dish and stir to combine. Add meatballs on top of pasta. There is no need to brown meatballs or heat the meatballs if they’re pre-cooked. Do not stir anymore.

Optional: sprinkle ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon of onion powder over the sauce if your pasta sauce is bland and needs a little bit of extra flavor.

BAKE: Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Then place on the middle rack of the oven and bake meatball casserole for 40 minutes or until the pasta is cooked and sauce has thickened. Afterwards remove from the oven and uncover.

NOTE: Do not use cooked pasta with this recipe.

ADD CHEESE AND FINISH: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top of the meatballs. (Feel free to add in some parmesan cheese here as well.) Return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes to melt the cheese. Cover if you do not want the cheese to brown. Do not cover if you want a golden brown cheesy top. Finally, let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving the comforting meatball pasta bake.

What To Serve With Dump And Bake Meatball Casserole

An easy casserole deserves an easy side dish. These low effort sides taste delicious with this pasta and red sauce.

Salad: This easy comfort food pairs well with a healthy side salad. If you’re low on time, grab a bagged salad at the grocery store. If you have a little more time, make an easy Italian Salad or a Chopped Asparagus Salad.

Vegetable Sides: Use the Instant Pot or air fryer to make some easy vegetable side dishes. Try Instant Pot Broccoli or Air Fryer Broccoli. Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus is one of our favorite recipes. And don’t discount Cauliflower or Brussels Sprouts.

Crusty Bread: A dump and bake meatball casserole pairs perfectly with any kind of crusty bread. Buy a loaf of french bread and turn it into this delicious Garlic French Bread.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT TIME: If you love making your own meatballs then you’ll love our Air Fryer Meatballs recipe. These are the best homemade meatballs, they are easy to make and cook to juicy, tender perfection in the air fryer. Or try our oven baked Italian Meatballs, Chicken Meatballs or Turkey Meatballs.

Make Ahead

Due to the nature of this dish, it isn’t advised to assemble and save in the refrigerator before cooking. If you want to make this pasta bake ahead of time, cook it completely in a microwave safe dish then store in the fridge and reheat in the microwave when needed.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best pasta casserole with frozen meatballs.

Top Tip: Do not add too much water. Try pushing the pasta down with a spoon to cover with sauce before baking. Adding too much liquid causes overcooked and mushy pasta and excess liquid when the dish is done baking.
Tip: Use high quality meatballs. Use your favorite frozen meatballs or make your own.
Tip: Shred your own cheese. For best results, shred your own mozzarella cheese. Pre-shredded cheese contains preservatives and doesn’t melt as well or taste as good.

More Italian Recipes

We love serving this wonderful meatball pasta bake with Garlic French Bread and a nutritious Easy Italian Salad Try one of these easy dinner recipes:

How To Store

Refrigerate: Let the casserole leftovers cool completely and then transfer to an airtight container or ziploc bag. Alternatively you can simply cover the baking dish with cling wrap. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze: You can freeze leftover pasta casserole with frozen meatballs in a freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Label your leftovers with the date!

Defrosting: Thaw pasta leftovers overnight in the refrigerator for a day or reheat from frozen.

How To Reheat

Reheat leftovers in the microwave using a microwave safe dish. Cover to prevent splatter all over the microwave. Cook time depends on how much you are making and the power of your microwave.

Common Questions

How do you know when meatballs are fully cooked?

Meatballs are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Insert a meat thermometer into one or more of the meatballs after cooking to read the temperature.

Is it possible to use homemade meatballs for this recipe?

Of course! After preparing and frying your favorite homemade meatballs, keep them warm on a foil covered plate. Then add the meatballs right before adding the mozzarella cheese and follow the additional steps of our recipe. Have you tried our amazing Air Fryer Meatballs? You can even make your own marinara sauce as well. We love our Marinara Sauce with Red Wine.

Can I make this pasta casserole without meatballs?

Yes, you can. Just leave out the meatballs and prepare the recipe as described.

Dump And Bake Meatball Pasta Casserole Recipe

Easy dump and bake meatball casserole recipe made with frozen meatballs. Mix the ingredients in the baking dish, cover and bake.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword frozen meatballs recipe, meatball casserole, meatball pasta bake, pasta casserole with frozen meatballs

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 50

Resting Time 10

Total Time 1 10

Servings servings

Calories 718kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

9×13-in baking dish
spoon

Ingredients

1.5-2 lbs frozen cooked meatballs about 24-30 meatballs
16 oz penne pasta
1 jar marinara sauce (44-48 ounces)
3 cups water
2 cups grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese

Optional Garnish:

fresh parsley

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F.
Add pasta, marinara and water to a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Stir to combine.
Add meatballs on top of pasta. Do NOT stir.
Cover with aluminum foil.
Place on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 40 minutes or until the noodles are cooked and the sauce is thickened. Remove from the oven and uncover.
Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top of the meatballs.
Return to the oven for 10-15 minutes to melt the cheese. Cover if you do not want the cheese to brown. Do not cover if you want a golden brown cheesy top.
Let rest for 5-10 minutes then serve.

Notes

If your pasta is sticking up above the sauce level it isn’t going to cook. Get all the pasta down under the liquid.
Do not stir the meatballs and pasta together before cooking. You want the pasta to be below the meatballs, fully submerged in the cooking liquid. The finished dish also looks better with meatballs on top.
Serve with garlic french bread and an Italian salad

Nutrition

The post Easy Dump And Bake Meatball Pasta Casserole appeared first on Family Dinners.

Easy Instant Pot Pasta Recipes (3 Ways)

Andrea + Stef — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 19:10:26 +0000

If you are ever in a hurry to put dinner on the table, this easy Instant Pot pasta recipe is just right for you. By using an electric pressure cooker to make your pasta, it is ready to serve in only 5 minutes. Instant Pot pasta comes out perfectly cooked and ready to be mixed with your favorite pasta sauce, meatballs or creamy chicken dish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights. Moreover, pressure cooked pasta also works great for any kind of pasta salad, in case you need a quick dish for a picnic or potluck. This is the best Instant Pot pasta recipe. Nothing beats the quickness of pressure cooked al dente pasta. You won’t want to cook your noodles any other way anymore. Once your noodles are cooked, make one of our easy sauce recipes in your Instant Pot for a complete meal.

Make A Simple Olive Oil Sauce Or A Creamy Garlic Sauce

This post will show you how to cook plain noodles in your Instant Pot. It will also show you how to make both an olive oil sauce in your Instant Pot, as well as an easy creamy garlic sauce in your Instant Pot. Once you’ve cooked your noodles in the pressure cooker you can make the sauces on the sauté settings in just a few minutes.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: Perfect pasta that is ready in an instant and two sauce recipes.
Main Ingredients: ziti pasta, water, salt, olive oil
Cooking Method: Instant Pot
Nutrients: great source of energy, 28g of carbohydrates per serving
Cook Time: 1 minute prep time, 4 minutes pressure cooking time
Pairs well with: meatballs, marinara sauce, parmesan cheese, any dish with sauce
Diets: dairy free (except the cream sauce), vegetarian
Special Equipment Needed: Instant Pot, colander

Ingredients

You may have all of these Instant Pot penne pasta recipe ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

Pantry Ingredients: ziti pasta, water, olive oil
Spices: salt (sea salt or kosher salt)

Variations:

Use half chicken broth half water instead of just water for a more flavorful noodle. This is great if you’ll be serving without a sauce or using in an Instant Pot chicken pasta recipe.
Substitute other pastas for penne pasta. Make Instant Pot pasta shells, Instant Pot rotini or Instant Pot spaghetti noodles by following instructions below.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love flavorful pasta dishes the whole family will love then you’ll love our Shrimp Fettuccine with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce. The creamy sauce combined with an easy dinner recipe makes it perfect for weeknight dinners. You could substitute chicken breast for the shrimp to make a creamy chicken pasta if you prefer.

Recommended Tools

Links to our favorite tools are affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may get a tiny portion of the sale.

Instant Pot– This recipe requires an Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker. This Instant Pot isn’t the fanciest you can buy but we love it and it will work for most people’s needs. If you’re looking for one with all the bells and whistles, this 10-in-1 Instant Pot is amazing. Make sure your sealing ring is in good shape. You can buy replacement silicone sealing rings if you need one. These seal the pot and keep the pressure inside the machine.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook pasta in the Instant Pot, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE: Firstly, add pasta to the Instant Pot and spread out so it isn’t clumped together. Then add olive oil, salt, and water to the pot. The water should cover the top of the noodles. If you’re using spaghetti noodles, break them in half so they lay down. Add more water if necessary. Stir to prevent pasta from sticking together.

COOK: Lock the lid and seal. Set to high pressure for 4 minutes. (NOTE: cook for half the cooking time on the box, minus 1 minute) While pasta is cooking, place a colander into a large bowl. When the timer is done carefully switch the pressure valve to vent for a quick release. Do not allow a natural release. The pasta will overcook if you don’t do a quick pressure release. You want pasta cooked al dente.

FINISH: Pour pasta and water into the colander. Reserve the starchy pasta water in bowl for use in your pasta recipe, if necessary.

How To Make A Simple Olive Oil Pasta Sauce

Need easy recipes for your noodles? For a quick dinner or side dish the whole family will love, make a simple olive oil sauce for your pasta. This recipe has simple ingredients and is ready in a couple of minutes. Serve with a side of healthy vegetables and your favorite protein. Once you’ve removed your pasta (and saved the starchy pasta water) follow the instructions below.

Set the Instant Pot to the sauté setting.
Heat 3 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced. Stir the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, until the edges begin to brown and it is golden brown.
Optional: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or 2 Tablespoons sun dried tomatoes. Stir for 30 seconds.
Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Be careful because oil might splatter. Stir and simmer for 3 minutes.
Add drained pasta and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Toss to coat.
Optional: Garnish with fresh ground black pepper, fresh grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or fresh parsley on top of the pasta.
Serve with crusty bread and bread dipping oil.

How To Make A Simple Cream Sauce

Love a creamy pasta sauce? Try our Garlic Parmesan Sauce or make this easy cream sauce in your Instant Pot after you’ve cooked your noodles. Measure all your ingredients before you begin because this sauce cooks quickly.

Set your Instant Pot to the saute setting. Add 2 Tablespoons salted butter and allow it to melt.
Add 4 teaspoons pressed garlic (4 cloves garlic). Stir and cook for 30 seconds or until you begin to smell the garlic.
Add 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour. Whisk continually to make a roux, about 1 minute.
Slowly add 1 ¾ cups of heavy cream or half and half. Stir continually to mix, about 1-2 minutes. Break up any lumps with your whisk.
Sauce is ready when you dip a spoon into it and it coats the spoon when the spoon is removed. It should be slightly thickened.
Season with 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt and black pepper and ⅓ cup of fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
Place drained noodles into a serving bowl. Pour sauce over the noodles and toss to combine. Serve with garlic french bread.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: Turn any leftover Instant Pot pasta into our mouthwatering Salmon Pasta Salad. It is a fresh, light salad with protein-rich salmon, crisp vegetables, a filling pasta base, and bright, flavorful lemon-dill vinaigrette.

Make Ahead

You can pressure cook your pasta ahead of time and store it in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the fridge for easy meal prep. Reheat it when you are ready to serve. We recommend using the microwave or a short bath in boiling water to reheat the noodles.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best plain pasta in the pressure cooker.

Tip: Calculate cooking time exactly. Cook for half the cooking time on the pasta box, minus 1 minute.
Tip: Do a quick release. After the timer is done, switch the valve to vent immediately for a quick release. This prevents overcooking the pasta.
Tip: Add olive oil and salt. The oil and salt prevent the noodles from sticking together and turning out bland.

How To Store

Refrigerate: Completely cooled Instant Pot pasta leftovers can be stored in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Even though it might not be as good as freshly cooked pasta, pressure cooked pasta freezes really well. Transfer cold pasta to a freezer safe container or freezer bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

How To Reheat

Reheat leftover pasta in the microwave using a covered microwave safe dish. Alternatively, you can drop cold leftover pasta into boiling water for no longer than 1 minute. Strain and serve.

Stef says….

I love turning leftover pasta into scrumptious pasta salads. Two of my favorite recipes are Caesar Pasta Salad and Pesto Pasta Salad. They combine pasta with fresh vegetables, cheese and a flavorful dressing. The perfect lunch!

Common Questions

Can I cook all kinds of pasta in the Instant Pot?

Yes. Just make sure you calculate the pressure cooking time exactly. Cut the cooking time that is suggested on the box in half and subtract 1 minute. Some noodles like spaghetti, for example, might be too long for the Instant Pot and need to be broken in half.

What can I use Instant Pot pasta for?

Use plain Instant Pot pasta in any dish that calls for precooked noodles. You can mix them with your favorite pasta sauces or turn them into delicious pasta salad.

My pasta came out undercooked. How can I fix it?

If your pasta comes out slightly undercooked, make sure there is enough liquid in the Instant Pot and pressure cook for another 1-2 minutes. Do another quick release and strain.

Instant Pot Pasta Recipe

Learn how to cook Instant Pot pasta. Recipes included for plain pasta or with an olive oil sauce or a creamy garlic sauce.

Course side, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian, vegetarian

Diet Vegetarian

Keyword how to cook pasta in the Instant Pot, Instant Pot noodles, plain pasta in Instant Pot, pressure cooker pasta, pressure cooking pasta

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 4

Total Time 5

Servings servings

Calories 146kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

Instant Pot
colander

Ingredients

8 oz ziti pasta
3-4 cups water
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

Add pasta to the instant pot. Spread out so it isn’t clumped together.
Add olive oil, salt, and water to the pot. Water should cover the top of the noodles. If it does not, add more water until the noodles are just covered. Stir to prevent pasta from sticking together.
Lock lid and seal. Set to high pressure for 4 minutes. (cook for half the cooking time on the box, minus 1 minute)
While pasta is cooking, place a colander into a large bowl.
When timer is done carefully switch valve to vent for a quick release.
Pour pasta and water into the colander. Reserve pasta water in bowl for use in your pasta recipe, if necessary.

Notes

How To Make A Simple Olive Oil Pasta Sauce

Set the Instant Pot to the sauté setting.
Heat 3 Tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced. Stir the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, until the edges begin to brown and it is golden brown.
Optional: Add ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or 2 Tablespoons sun dried tomatoes. Stir for 30 seconds.
Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water. Be careful because oil might splatter. Stir and simmer for 3 minutes.
Add drained pasta and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Toss to coat.
Optional: Garnish with fresh ground black pepper, fresh grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or fresh parsley on top of the pasta.
Serve with crusty bread and bread dipping oil.

How To Make A Simple Cream Sauce

Love a creamy pasta sauce? Make this easy cream sauce in your Instant Pot after you’ve cooked your noodles. Measure all your ingredients before you begin because this sauce cooks quickly.

Set your Instant Pot to the saute setting. Add 2 Tablespoons salted butter and allow it to melt.
Add 4 teaspoons pressed garlic (4 cloves garlic). Stir and cook for 30 seconds or until you begin to smell the garlic.
Add 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour. Whisk continually to make a roux, about 1 minute.
Slowly add 1 ¾ cups of heavy cream or half and half. Stir continually to mix, about 1-2 minutes. Break up any lumps with your whisk.
Sauce is ready when you dip a spoon into it and it coats the spoon when the spoon is removed. It should be slightly thickened.
Season with 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt and black pepper and ⅓ cup of fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
Place drained noodles into a serving bowl. Pour sauce over the noodles and toss to combine. Serve with garlic french bread.

Nutrition

The post Easy Instant Pot Pasta Recipes (3 Ways) appeared first on Family Dinners.

Shrimp Fettuccine with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce

Andrea + Stef — Mon, 02 May 2022 16:37:40 +0000

Give your dinner routine a little zing! Our shrimp fettuccine with creamy lemon garlic sauce is full of bright and buttery flavor. Like shrimp fettuccine alfredo but better, it combines two simply delicious recipes — lemon butter shrimp and pesto fettuccine — in one easy meal. In just 30 minutes, this pasta recipe becomes the perfect flavor wake-up call for your weekly dinner menu.

Pair this with our easy, cheesy garlic rolls or copycat Lion House rolls. It’s the perfect way to ensure you don’t miss a drop of that delicious sauce!

Are you a lemon lover? Check out these 50 lemon recipes.

❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS SHRIMP FETTUCCINE

✔️ Just one skillet to clean up when you’re done!

✔️ Delicious comfort food with the perfect balance of cream and herbs.

✔️ 19 grams of protein per serving.

✔️ Only 30 minutes from start to finish.

INGREDIENTS

You may have all of the ingredients for creamy lemon garlic shrimp fettuccine in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

Fettuccine: You can use fresh or dried fettuccine noodles. You can also substitute other long noodles if you don’t have fettuccine.
Olive oil
Butter: We’re using unsalted butter.
Shrimp: We recommend using fresh shrimp for best results. If using frozen shrimp, thaw firsthand pat dry before cooking.
Garlic: Fresh garlic is best but you can used minced garlic in the jar.
Red pepper flakes: This adds just a bit of heat but you can omit it if you prefer.
Lemon: You’ll need a fresh lemon for the juice and zest.
Salt & pepper: Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
Flour
Chicken broth
Heavy cream
Pesto: You can use store-bought pesto or make your own with Stef’s pesto recipe.
Parmesan cheese: You can grate your own or purchase refrigerated, fresh-grated parmesan to save time.

INSTRUCTIONS

If you’d like to print this creamy shrimp fettuccine recipe, scroll down to the recipe card where you can print the recipe or have it scaled to double or triple. You’ll also find nutrition information.

PREP: You can cook the pasta in the same pot as you’ll make your shrimp fettuccine, or use a different pot to make things go a little quicker. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente (or tender). Measure and prepare ingredients while pasta is boiling.

COOK SHRIMP: Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. In a bowl, mix 3 minced garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Add shrimp and coat. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When the olive oil is hot, add 2 tablespoons of butter, melt. Add the shrimp to the hot pan. Cook and flip shrimp for approximately 4-5 minutes or just until shrimp are curled and cooked through. Remove shrimp and seasonings to a bowl. Set aside.

🔴 TIP: Shrimp are perfectly cooked when they are pink and curl into a letter C shape. Shrimp become tough when overcooked.

MAKE CREAM SAUCE: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same pan. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and saute 30 seconds. Add the flour to make a roux and whisk together for 1 minute, then reduce heat to low. Slowly whisk in chicken broth, heavy cream and pesto. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth. Turn heat to medium high. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Heat approximately 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened. Reduce heat to low. Add in lemon juice and Parmesan cheese until melted.

COMBINE: Add the shrimp with juices and pasta to the sauce. Stir until well coated in sauce. Season with additional salt, pepper to taste. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese, fresh parsley and lemon juice.

⚠️ TIPS FOR THE BEST SHRIMP FETTUCCINE

✔️ Cook the fettuccine al dente. That means it’s cooked through but still firm, not mushy.

✔️ Use fresh lemon juice.

✔️ When zesting a lemon, avoid zesting the white part of the peel. This pith is bitter.

✔️ Make sure all your ingredients are measured and nearby when making your cream sauce. This part goes quickly and requires your full attention and constant whisking so you won’t be able to leave the sauce to get another ingredient.

STORAGE TIPS

Don’t throw out your leftovers! You can store them for later!

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Due to the nature of the cream sauce, this does not freeze well after it’s been cooked.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CREAMY FETTUCCINE

Enjoy shrimp fettuccine with a simple salad, some roasted vegetables and some bread. Don’t forget the dessert!

MORE PASTA RECIPES

While we love creamy lemon garlic shrimp fettuccine, we also love some of these other recipes and think you will as well.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do you know when shrimp is done?

A perfectly cooked shrimp has an opaque pink color with a sheen and is firm enough to curl into a nice C shape.

Can you cook raw shrimp in a pan?

Cooking shrimp in a skillet or pan with a little butter or oil is one of the easiest ways to do it.

Shrimp Fettuccine with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce

This creamy lemon garlic shrimp fettuccine is the perfect way to add some zip to your dinner routine!

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword fettuccine alfredo, garlic butter shrimp fettuccine, lemon garlic shrimp pasta, pesto pasta, shrimp fettuccine alfredo

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 409kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

1 skillet to sauté shrimp
1 large sauce pan to boil pasta

Ingredients

8 ounces fettuccine
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoon butter unsalted
1 pound medium raw shrimp peeled and deveined
6 garlic cloves minced divided
½ tspn red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon lemon zest
½ tspn salt
¼ tspn pepper
2 tablespoon flour
¾ cup chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup pesto
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Boil pasta in salted water until al dente.
Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When the olive oil is hot, add 2 tablespoons of butter, melt.
In a bowl, mix 3 minced garlic cloves, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Add shrimp and coat.
Add the shrimp to the hot pan. Cook and flip shrimp for approximately 4-5 minutes or just until shrimp are curled and cooked through.
Remove shrimp and seasonings to a bowl. Set aside.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same pan. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and saute 30 seconds.
Add the flour to make a roux and whisk together for 1 minute, then turn heat to low.
Slowly whisk in chicken broth, heavy cream and pesto. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth.
Turn heat to medium high. Bring the sauce to a simmer. Heat approximately 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened.
Reduce heat to low. Add in lemon juice and Parmesan cheese until melted.
Add the shrimp with juices and pasta to the sauce. Stir until well coated in sauce.
Season with additional salt, pepper to taste.
Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese, fresh parsley and lemon juice.

Notes

Serve while hot. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Does not freeze well.
Serve with your favorite salad or steamed vegetables.

Nutrition

The post Shrimp Fettuccine with Creamy Lemon Garlic Sauce appeared first on Family Dinners.

Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

Andrea + Stef — Sun, 17 Apr 2022 00:32:17 +0000

If you enjoy chilled pasta salad, you’ll love this tortellini pasta salad recipe. It’s a colorful chorus of fresh flavors, loaded with al dente tortellinis, cured meats, fresh veggies and creamy mozzarella. It makes a brilliant summer salad, picnic dish or holiday side. Moreover, it can be the perfect appetizer for game day, potlucks, brunch or anytime. Everyone will love this easy side dish full of fresh ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This

Notable: this colorful salad is easy to make ahead of time and full of flavor
Main Ingredients: fresh tortellini, pepperoni, Genoa salami, green olives, kalamata olives, bell pepper, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, peppercinis, artichoke hearts, Italian salad dressing, fresh parsley
Cooking Method: no bake
Nutrients: 21g of protein per serving
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Pairs well with: grilled meats, fish and seafood, crusty white bread, garlic bread, cheesy bread
Special Equipment Needed: large salad bowl

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this tortellini pasta salad recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this easy pasta salad you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Pasta Salad Ingredients

1 20oz package of fresh cheese tortellini (cooked al dente)
6-8 oz pepperoni (chopped into ½” pieces)
6-8 oz Genoa salami (chopped into ½” pieces)
3 oz pitted green olives
3 oz pitted kalamata olives or black olives
1 red or orange bell pepper (diced)
8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese (cubed)
10 oz fresh cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
10 peppercinis
8 oz canned artichoke hearts (drained)
2 cups Italian salad dressing (divided)
2 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)

Optional Garnish

Fresh parsley or fresh basil, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

Optional Additional Ingredients

fresh cucumber (diced)
green pepper (diced)
red onion (diced)
sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)

Substitutions

Meats: You could also use prosciutto, bresaola, or even seafood.

Mozzarella: Use fresh cubed mozzarella, or mozzarella pearls. Additionally, shredded mozzarella (or provolone cheese) is an optional garnish. Moreover, feta cheese would work great with this tortellini salad recipe as well.

Italian Dressing: The best salads have a homemade dressing. Use a bottled one if you must. Our dressing recipe includes garlic, Italian seasoning, granulated sugar, black pepper, sea salt, red wine vinegar and olive oil.

Possible Variations

“Antipasto” translated means before the meal. It’s simply the teaser to whet your appetite for the main course. It can be one food (e.g., just olives or salami) or many different foods. Here are some ways you can put your own spin on this Italian classic.

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN ANTIPASTO – Skip the meats (and cheese for vegan variations) and add fresh veggies such as diced cucumber, green or yellow bell peppers and red onion, for example.
SEAFOOD ANTIPASTO – A southern Italian style uses shrimp, clams, mussels and/or anchovies, for example, instead of cured meats. Don’t forget the capers!
PARTY PLATTER – Arrange veggies, cheeses and meats, unmixed, on a platter. Ideal for a wine and cheese party or any buffet-style setting.
PARTY SKEWERS – Place antipasto ingredients on skewers alternating cheese, crunchy veggies, meat, pasta, etc. for easy, convenient finger foods for parties.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love this cheesy tortellini salad recipe, try our Baked Ravioli. You’ll love it because this saucy and cheesy skillet dish is ready to serve in just 30 minutes.

Recommended Tools

Links to our favorite tools are affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may get a tiny portion of the sale.

Big Salad Bowl — We recommend combining and tossing the salad in a large mixing bowl first and then transfering it to a big salad bowl for serving. That way the edges of the bowl stay clean and your salad looks perfect for serving.

Instructions

This section shows how to make tortellini pasta salad, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

COMBINE SALAD INGREDIENTS: Firstly, combine cooked pasta, pepperoni, salami, olives, bell pepper, mozzarella, tomatoes, peppercinis, parsley and artichoke hearts, in a large bowl. Then, pour half the homemade dressing over the top of the ingredients and toss.

SEASON: Afterwards, sprinkle the top of salad with fresh parsley and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, if you like. Finally, garnish with fresh shaved mozzarella cheese or grated parmesan cheese, if desired.

REFRIGERATE: In case you’re serving later, refrigerate until ready to use or for up to 3 days. Before serving, add additional salad dressing until it has the amount you prefer.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love this classic pasta salad with mozzarella balls then you’ll love our Strawberry Avocado Salad with Poppyseed Dressing. This keto friendly and vegetarian dish has a homemade dressing, feta, pecans and is simply bursting with flavor.

Andrea says….

Whip up these easy cheesy garlic rolls to eat with the pasta salad.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best tortellini pasta salad recipe.

Tip: Don’t overcook your tortellini! Your pasta should not be mushy. Rinse with cold water as soon as you drain to stop the cooking and cool your pasta.
Tip: Use fresh tomatoes, peppers and herbs. While canned tomatoes and dried herbs are very useful in many dishes, we think fresh makes a huge difference in a cold pasta salad.
Tip: Use a good and zesty Italian dressing, such as our Italian dressing or your favorite bottled dressing.
Tip: If you are making your pasta salad ahead of time, don’t add the dressing until just before serving.

What To Serve With Tortellini Pasta Salad

We love to eat antipasto salad all by itself. But sometimes you need to serve it as a meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Bread: Serve easy Italian tortellini salad with Garlic French Bread made with fresh parmesan cheese and store-bought French bread. If you have extra time make Pizza Dough Garlic Knots. Additionally, Andrea’s Copycat Lion House Rolls also go perfectly with this dish.

Main Dish: Pair this cold pasta salad with Italian Meatballs, Air Fryer Lemon Chicken or a Meatball Sub Sandwich.

Pizza: This super yummy and fresh pasta salad would also make a perfect side dish for our White Pizza with Garlic Pizza Sauce or Air Fryer Naan Pizza. It would also go well with any of our mouthwatering calzones, such as pepperoni, chicken pesto, three meat or meatball, for example.

Stef says….

Even though this Italian pasta salad is so easy to make and comes together in only 10 minutes it is a real show stopper. I love bringing a bowl of cold tortellini salad or Pesto Pasta Salad to potlucks and BBQs.

More Salad Recipes

A fresh and crunchy salads are not only healthy and nutritious, they also go with most main dishes and add some vibrant colors to a dinner plate. Here are some of our other favorite salad recipes:

How To Store

Refrigerate: Store antipasto salad leftovers in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze: We do not recommend freezing tortellini pasta salad leftovers.

Common Questions

What is the difference between antipasto and antipasti?

Antipasto is singular while antipasti is plural. In case you are wondering, what about antipasta? It’s just a colloquialism or mistranslation that’s gotten stuck in our vernacular over time. Serving a traditional Italian meal? Stick with “antipasto.”

What’s the difference between antipasto and charcuterie?

Charcuterie is referring to cold cooked meats while antipasto typically includes cured meats, cheeses and pickled vegetables.

How do you keep this tortellini pasta salad recipe from getting soggy?

Your pasta will soak up some of the dressing while sitting in the pasta salad, so it is important not to overcook your pasta to prevent it from becoming soggy or mushy. Therefore cook your pasta until just al dente (meaning, it is still firm when bitten).

Does antipasto have pasta in it?

Traditional Italian antipasto salad is served before the main (pasta) course, so it does not include pasta. In this recipe, however, we’re breaking the rules and adding a creamy, flavorful cheese tortellini, which makes this dish great as a side or main course for summer picnics, holidays, game day parties, potlucks or anytime.

artichokes, mozzarella, olives, pepperoni

Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe

Full of color and flavor, this traditional Italian antipasto is great as a summer salad or any time.

Course Salad

Cuisine Italian

Keyword antipasto salad, antipasto tortellini salad, italian pasta salad, pasta salad

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings servings

Calories 631kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

large salad bowl

Ingredients

20 ounces cheese tortellini
6-8 ounces pepperoni chopped into ½ inch pieces
6-8 ounces Genoa salami chopped into ½ inch pieces
3 ounces pitted green olives
3 ounces pitted kalamata olives or black olives
1 red or orange bell pepper
10 ounces cherry tomatoes fresh
10 pepperoncinis
8 ounces canned artichoke hearts drained
2 cups Italian salad dressing divided
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped

Optional Garnish:

fresh parsley chopped
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

In a large salad bowl, combine tortellini, pepperoni, salami, green olives, kalamata olives, bell pepper, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, peppercinis, parsley and artichoke hearts.
Pour half the salad dressing over the top of the ingredients and toss.
If you’re serving later, refrigerate for up to 3 days. Before serving, add additional salad dressing until it has the amount you prefer.
Sprinkle top of salad with fresh parsley and optional ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Serve with crusty french bread and green Italian salad.

Notes

Optional additional ingredients: diced fresh cucumber, diced green pepper and diced red onion.
Optional: garnish with fresh shaved mozzarella cheese.
This antipasto tortellini salad makes a great make-ahead meal.

Nutrition

The post Tortellini Pasta Salad Recipe appeared first on Family Dinners.

Baked Ravioli

Andrea + Stef — Sat, 16 Apr 2022 23:27:06 +0000

This saucy, cheesy baked ravioli skillet is pure comfort in a single dish. What we really love, though, is that it’s ready in just 30 minutes and you don’t have to boil pasta! That makes this vegetarian oven-baked ravioli casserole the perfect hectic weeknight dinner.

The flavors in this easy ravioli recipe are so rich, be sure you have garlic bread or cheesy garlic rolls on-hand to sop up the extra marinara pasta sauce. Ready to learn how to bake ravioli and get restaurant-worthy results in 30 minutes or less? Let’s get cookin’!

❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS BAKED RAVIOLI RECIPE

✔️ You can make it with frozen raviolis!

✔️ Only 5 minutes of prep time.

✔️ Only one dirty dish!

✔️ Delicious, cheesy, and flavorful. The whole family will love this ravioli casserole.

BAKED RAVIOLI INGREDIENTS

You may have all of the ingredients for this baked ravioli recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

Ravioli: We’re using fresh or frozen store-bought ravioli.
Water
Heavy Cream: What it does in the recipe or possible substitutions, general info about it or nothing if there’s nothing to say.
Marinara Sauce: Use homemade marinara sauce or store bought sauce.
Cheese: Grated parmesan, fresh mozzarella (cherry size) and shredded.
Herbs: Oregano, thyme and garlic.
Salt & Pepper
Parsley: Optional, for garnish.

POSSIBLE VARIATIONS

MAKE IT SPICY – Mix in a teaspoon of cracked red pepper (or more, depending on your taste).
SWITCH PASTA – No ravioli? No problem! Toss in some tortellini!
ADD VEGETABLES – Mix in chopped vegetables like zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, spinach and onion.
ADD PROTEIN – The perfect opportunity to use up left-over ground beef, ground turkey, meatballs or Italian sausage. Chop them up and toss it in!

INSTRUCTIONS

If you’d like to print this recipe, scroll down to the recipe card where you can print the recipe or have it scaled to double or triple. You’ll also find nutrition information.

PREP: Heat oven to 375°F. Shred cheese and measure spices and cream.

🔴 TIP: No cheese ravioli? You can substitute any type of ravioli or even tortellini for the cheese ravioli.

In a bowl combine marinara, water, oregano, thyme, garlic, pepper, parmesan, heavy cream and ravioli. Optional, add a pinch of salt, if you like things salty. If you want to only use one dish for this meal, mix this in the baking dish or skillet then skip the layering step.

LAYER IN BAKING DISH OR SKILLET: Pour half of the ravioli mixture into an oven safe large skillet or casserole dish. Make a single layer. Sprinkle half the grated mozzarella cheese on top of the ravioli. Pour the rest of the ravioli mixture over the cheese and spread out. Top with fresh mozzarella balls and sprinkle the rest of the shredded mozzarella cheese.

COOK: Cover tightly with a lid or foil and bake for 25 minutes, or until the ravioli is cooked al dente and the sauce is bubbling. Remove the lid and broil for 2-4 minutes, until the cheese on top starts to turn golden brown.

GARNISH & SERVE: Garnish with fresh parsley and fresh grated parmesan cheese.

TIPS FOR THE BEST RAVIOLI CASSEROLE

Follow these tips to make the best baked ravioli dish.

✔️ Grate your mozzarella from low moisture mozzarella cheese. Freshly grated cheese is better for you and melts a lot better than the cheese you buy pre-shredded.

✔️ Cover tightly. Especially if your ravioli is frozen, cover tightly when cooking. This will help it cook faster.

✔️ Top with fresh mozzarella. It’s totally optional but we prefer to top with fresh mozzarella.

STORAGE TIPS

Refrigerate: Allow to cool then store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Cool completely then store in an airtight, freezer safe, container. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Defrost in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

SERVE THESE WITH YOUR RAVIOLI

Enjoy the cheesy ravioli with these Mini Chocolate Puff Pastries as well as these other great side dishes:

MORE PASTA RECIPES

We love pasta, especially if they’re easy. You may want to try this Baked Tortellini or our Easy Lasagna recipe.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can you bake ravioli instead of boiling?

Yes, our baked ravioli recipe shows you exactly how to bake ravioli without boiling it first. Refrigerated ravioli takes just 20 minutes to cook in an oven-baked casserole.

Can you bake frozen ravioli?

You absolutely can bake frozen ravioli without thawing and/or boiling! It takes about 30 minutes total in the oven with our oven baked ravioli recipe.

What goes with baked ravioli?

Baked ravioli goes great with roasted vegetables, Italian salad, broccoli, green beans and many other vegetables. Oh, and don’t forget the garlic bread!

Baked Ravioli

This saucy, cheesy baked ravioli skillet is the perfect weeknight meal–ready to serve in just 30 minutes (no boiling pasta!).

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword baked frozen ravioli, baked italian casserole, cheesy ravioli bake, how to bake ravioli, ravioli casserol, ravioli skillet

Prep Time 5

Servings servings

Calories 616kcal

Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

1 oven safe baking dish or skillet

Ingredients

20 ounces cheese ravioli
½ cup water
¼ cup heavy cream
3 cups marinara sauce
1 cup parmesan grated
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cherry size
4 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded
1.5 teaspoon oregano dried
1 teaspoon thyme dried or fresh
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
1 pinch salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F.
In a bowl combine marinara, water, oregano, thyme, garlic, pepper, parmesan, heavy cream, and ravioli. Optional, add a pinch of salt, if you like things salty.
Pour half of the ravioli mixture into an oven safe skillet or casserole dish. Layer half the grated mozzarella cheese on top of the ravioli.
Pour the rest of the ravioli mixture over the cheese and spread out.
Pour the rest of the ravioli mixture over the cheese and spread out.
Cover tightly with a lid or foil. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the ravioli is cooked al dente and the sauce is bubbling.
Remove the lid and broil for 2-4 minutes, until the cheese on top starts to turn golden brown.
Garnish with fresh parsley and fresh grated parmesan cheese.

Notes

You can use fresh or frozen ravioli. For fresh ravioli, reduce the covered cooking time to about 20 minutes.
Optional: Substitute more shredded mozzarella for the fresh mozzarella.
You can substitute any type of ravioli or even tortellini for the cheese ravioli.

Nutrition

The post Baked Ravioli appeared first on Family Dinners.

Easy Lasagna

Andrea + Stef — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 17:31:42 +0000

Looking for the easiest way to make a delicious lasagna? This easy lasagna recipe has a great taste and is flavor packed without all of the extra time consuming process of making a classic lasagna recipe.

This simple lasagna recipe is the perfect dish when you’re craving comfort food. Add it to your list of recipes for a special family gathering or a busy weeknight.

EASY LASAGNA INGREDIENTS

The best part of this easy lasagne recipe is that you may have all of these simple ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! Check out the list of substitutions below if you’re missing something.

Herbs + Spices: basil, parsley, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper
Cheese: ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella
Noodles: boil or no boil lasagna noodles
Marinara: jar of marinara sauce (pasta or spaghetti sauce) or use homemade marinara
Other: egg, ground pork, ground beef

SUBSTITUTIONS

Click the tabs to see possible substitutions for each of these ingredients.

GROUND PORK AND BEEF:

Air Fryer Taco Stuffed Pasta Shells

Andrea + Stef — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 16:47:46 +0000

We first got this idea from a viral tiktok recipe about air frying pasta shells to make and alternative to tortilla chips. We’ve kicked it up a notch to make these absolutely delicious, crispy and cheesy air fryer taco stuffed pasta shells. These make a great appetizer or a fun meal for Taco Tuesday. This will soon be a family favorite way to use leftover taco meat from last night.

This Mexican Italian fusion dish is a fun twist for an easy taco night. Cooked in an air fryer so they’re quick and easy and crispy too. Great for an easy dinner night.

AIR FRYER TACO STUFFED PASTA INGREDIENTS

You may have all of these ingredients for this Mexican twist on an easy recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this delicious recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Pasta: Use large or jumbo pasta shells.
Filling: Fill shells with your favorite taco meat. We used leftover carnitas from our favorite carnitas recipe.
Etc: cheddar cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning, parsley, cooking spray

SUBSTITUTIONS

Click the tabs to see possible substitutions for each of these ingredients.

CARNITAS: