'Pasta Dinner Recipes' by Elizabeth Dubos

Pasta Dinner Recipes 
By Elizabeth Dubos
 
Edited by Klancy Hoover
 
1. Cheesy Taco Pasta
Prep Time: 15 Minutes, Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ingredients:
                        1 Lb. Ground Beef
                        McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix
                        2 Cups Water
                        3/4 Cup Tostitos Medium Salsa
                        2 Cups Mexican-Style Cheese
                        1/2 Box of Dry Pasta; Recommended: Rotini or Penne
                        Optional: Chopped Cilantro, Tomatoes, or Lettuce
            Instructions:
                        1. Preheat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat
                        2. Add ground beef
                        3. Drain grease
                        4. Stir in taco seasoning, water, salsa, and pasta
                        5. When the mixture is brought to a boil, stir, cover, and reduce heat to low
                        6. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the pasta is tender
                        7. Turn off heat and remove skillet from burner
                        8. Stir in cheese and add optional toppings
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2. Kielbasa Pasta
Prep Time: 15 Minutes, Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Ingredients:
                        1 lb. Smoked Kielbasa
                        1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
                        4 Cloves Minced Garlic
                        2 1/2 Cups Chicken Broth
                        10 Oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes
                        10 Oz. Dry Pasta
                        3/4 Cup Heavy Cream
                        2 Cups Shredded Cheese
                        1/2 Teaspoon Salt
                        1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
            Instructions:
                        1. Preheat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil
                        2. Cook kielbasa thoroughly
                        3. Add garlic, salt, and pepper
                        4. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, heavy cream, and pasta
                        5. Cook for 15-20 minutes until the pasta is tender
                        6. Turn off heat and remove skillet from burner
                        7. Stir in cheese
 
3. Mussels with Spaghetti and Garlic Butter
Prep Time: 15 Minutes, Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients:
            2 Lbs. Rinsed Mussels
            1 Box of Spaghetti
            4 Tablespoons Butter
            1/2 Cup Fresh Basil, Finely Chopped
            5 Tablespoons Olive Oil
            3 Garlic Cloves, Minced
            2 Teaspoons Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
            3 Teaspoons Salt
            1 Cup White Wine
            Instructions:
                        1. Preheat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil
                        2. Preheat a large pot of water, add salt, and cook spaghetti until tender
                        3. Combine white wine, garlic gloves, red pepper flakes, and butter in large skillet
                        4. Add mussels to skillet mixture and cook until shells open
                        5. Combine spaghetti and mussels in skillet mixture
                        6. Serve topped with fresh basil

4. One-Pot Beef Stroganoff  
Prep Time: 15 Minutes, Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients:
            1 Package of McCormick Beef Stroganoff Sauce Mix
            4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
            1lb. Beef Sirloin
            1 Cup Water
            1 Teaspoon Paprika
            1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
            1 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
            1 Cup Basil, Finely Chopped
            1 Package Egg Noodles

Instructions:
                        1. Preheat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil
                        2. In a large pot of water, cook egg noodles until tender
                        3. Add beef and cook until no longer pink
                        4. Add sauce mix and water to beef and stir until sauce thickens
                        5. Add cayenne pepper, paprika, red pepper flakes, and basil to mixture
                        6. Stir until well-combined and cook for 5 minutes
                        7. Serve beef over egg noodles
                       
5. Avocado Pesto Chicken Pasta
Prep Time: 15 Minutes, Cook Time: 30 Minutes

Ingredients:
            1 Avocado
            3 Cups Basil, Finely Chopped
            5 Garlic Cloves, Minced
            1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
            1 Tomato, Finely Chopped
            2 Tablespoons Water
            1 Cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated
            1 Box Rotini Pasta
            2 Boneless Chicken Breasts
            5 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Instructions:
                        1. In a large pot of water, cook rotini pasta until tender
                        2. Preheat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil
3. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and cook in skillet until no longer pink
4. In a large bowl combine the avocado, basil, garlic gloves, onion powder, tomato, and gradually add water until mixture is creamy and smooth
5. Add parmesan cheese until well-combined
6. In a separate large bowl, combine pasta, pesto, and chicken to serve