What are your best tried & true recipes for pasta side dishes (like Rice A Roni makes, but homemade)?

Answer 1

Rigatoni Caprese Recipe
Ingredients:
6 cups hot cooked rigatoni, penne, or ziti
1 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
1 cup diced fresh mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon capers
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/3 cup grated parmesan or romano cheese

Directions:

Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl. Combine oil, capers, salt, pepper, and garlic in a small bowl; stir well with a whisk. Pour over pasta mixture; toss gently. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; toss well.

Baked Rigatoni with Ham, Tomatoes and Feta Cheese

Ingredients:
12 ounces rigatoni
1 1/2 cup diced ham
4 tomatoes, diced
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup (packed) mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup whipping cream
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish. Cook rigatoni in boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain. In a large mixing bowl mix pasta, ham, tomatoes, both cheeses and thyme. Pour cream in and add salt and pepper and blend. Transfer to baking dish. Cover with foil. Bake for 15 minutes, then uncover and mix to blend melted cheeses. Cover again and bake until heated through, about 30 minutes

Answer 2

Take skinless,boneless chicken and cut into cubes.I would say 3 or 4 pieces per rice a roni box depending on how big the chicken is.Put the cubes in a skillet and add 7up soda, instead of oil.Now this was never exactly measured so probably about 2 1/2 to 4 cups.You just want it to eventually cook out(evaporate)when the chicken is done.So let the chicken cook, while it is cooking make Beef rice a roni in another skillet, cook as directed and when they are both done just mix them together.VOILA! Add some crescent rolls to go with it and Mmm,a quick and delicious meal!

Answer 3

Saute' some chopped onion in a mix of olive oil and butter. Add some minced fresh garlic when the onion is soft and translucent. When the garlic is fragrant, remove from the heat so it doesn't burn. Add to this some cooked Orzo, some sliced roasted red peppers (from a jar is fine) and some oregano. Then toss in some crumbled Feta cheese and salt and pepper to taste. If you need more moisture, add a little bit of chicken stock and gently reheat. Very forgiving recipe and it is all done to taste.

Answer 4

There are a ton of side dishes out there. All types of veggies, pastas, stuffings, etc. even mixing them up can be a treat, try cooking rice with a half cup of salsa thrown in. or instead of mashed potatoes, try mashed sweet potatoes. Cook pasta with some light olive oil, parmesan cheese and grilled veggies. Below is my favorite side dish recipe site. Enjoy!

Answer 5

I like to do a cold pasta salad:

Tri-colored spiral shaped pasta, cooked and drained.

Carrots, onion, bell pepper, and celery all finely chopped.

Chopped olives or olive tapenade (a marinated olive blend).

Cooked, cleaned bay shrimp (if desired).

Mix 2 parts of mayonaise to 1 part mustard. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Toss all the ingredients together and let them get to know each other in the fridge overnight for best flavor.

Answer 6

Cumin Rice
1/2 c. butter
1c. rice
2 can beef consomme
1 Tbs. Worcestershire
1 tsp. cumin powder
Small amounts of each, chopped:onion, bell pepper, mushrooms.
melt butter. Brown rice, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms. Add soup and spices. Let come to a boil, put lid on and turn very low. Cook 30 minutes. Can be put in oven to cook, also.

Answer 7

25 years ago, as an art student I lived on the following:
Endless Variety Skillet Casserole
Directions:
1. In a 10 inch skillet (I used cast iron on a gas stove) or electric fry pan combine 1 carbohydrate, 1 protein, 1 vegetable, 1 liquid, and 2 seasonings.
2. Bring mixture to a boil. Use medium flame. Set electric fry pan at 375 degrees F.
3. Reduce heat to low flame or 275 degrees F., cover and let simmer for 25-30 minutes. Stir once in a while.
4. makes 3 or 2 1 1/2 cup servings.
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Carbohydrate:
2/3 c uncooked rice
1 cup uncooked fine or medium noodle
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cup raw, diced potatoes (do not use broth if you choose potato as your carbohydrate
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Protein:
1/2 cup cooked, cut up of any of the following or a combination:
chicken
turkey
beef
veal
pork
1/2 can tuna, salmon, or mackeral drained & flaked
1/4 c drained cooked or canned chic peas (cici or gabanzos)
3/4 c diced soy bean curd (tofu)
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Vegetables:
1/2 cup fresh cut-up or frozen or drained canned of any of the following or a combination:
carrots
peas
corn
green beans
chopped broccoli
mixed veg
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Liquid
2 cups broth
1 can tomato sauce or puree
1 can stewed tomatoes
2 c reconstituted skim milk
1 can evaporatd skim milk plus 1 can water
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Seasoning
1 tablespooon of any of the following dehydrated or 1 teaspoon fresh:
onion
parsley
chives
celery
green pepper
2 tablespoons diced pimento
4 mushrooms, cut up

Answer 8

I like fried penne (after it is boiled of course). I like to fry my penne with carrots, green peppers, tomato paste, butter and little slices of sausage or pepperoni or bacon

Answer 9

angel hair pasta w/ fresh basil, diced strawberry tomatoes, and fresh parmeggano reggiano cheese, and fresh garlic. excellent

Answer 10

boill your pasta, add a can of cream of chicken and a can of cream of mushroon soup..... season to desired taste