1️⃣ Creamy Tomato Garlic Pasta
Ingredients:
1 lb penne or ziti pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until well coated. Top with fresh basil before serving.
───── ✦ ─────
2️⃣ Creamy Beef Pasta
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 lb pasta shells (medium size)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef with the diced onion over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat.
Stir in garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, beef broth, and uncooked pasta.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Remove from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and cheddar cheese until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy.
───── ✦ ─────
3️⃣ Creamy Beef Stroganoff with Bowtie Pasta
Ingredients:
1 lb beef sirloin steak, sliced into thin strips
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion, chopped
8 oz button mushrooms, sliced
2 cups beef broth
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup sour cream
1 lb bowtie (farfalle) pasta
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions:
Cook bowtie pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain.
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Sear beef strips until browned, then remove beef from the pan.
In the same pan, add onions and mushrooms. Sauté until tender (about 5 minutes).
Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes to reduce slightly.
Reduce heat to low. Stir in sour cream and return the beef to the pan. Cook for 2 minutes (do not boil).
Toss the sauce with the cooked pasta and garnish with parsley.
───── ✦ ─────
4️⃣ Cheesy Garlic Steak Shells with Broccoli & Peppers
Ingredients:
1 lb flank or sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 oz medium pasta shells
2 cups broccoli florets
1 red bell pepper, sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Boil pasta in salted water. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets. Drain both pasta and broccoli well.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season steak with salt and pepper, sear until browned, then remove from pan.
Add bell pepper to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
Stir in the shredded cheese until melted.
Add the cooked pasta, broccoli, and steak back into the pan. Toss to coat everything in the cheese sauce.
───── ✦ ─────
5️⃣ Smoky Andouille Sausage Pasta
Ingredients:
12 oz Andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
1 lb penne pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 can (14.5 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 green onions, sliced
Instructions:
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
While pasta cooks, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage slices and brown on both sides.
Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning.
Add diced tomatoes and heavy cream. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Stir in Parmesan cheese. Add the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Toss to combine and top with green onions.
───── ✦ ─────
6️⃣ Creamy Blue Cheese Pasta with Spinach, Mushrooms and Walnuts
Ingredients:
1 lb rotini or fusilli pasta
2 tbsp butter
8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
5 oz fresh baby spinach
1 cup heavy cream
4 oz blue cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
Black pepper to taste
Instructions:
Cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions. Drain.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook until browned (about 5-7 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Lower heat to medium-low. Pour in heavy cream and add the crumbled blue cheese. Stir constantly until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.
Add the fresh spinach and stir until just wilted.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Season with black pepper (salt is likely unnecessary due to the cheese).
Serve topped with toasted walnuts.
