i have tons of pasta and macoroni in my cabinets, im tired of red sauce & alfredo what else can i put on it?

Answer 1

Summer Pasta Salad Recipe
Chilled Macaroni or Spirals with a Tasty Dressing

Put together a cool summmer pasta salad. This easy southern recipe is made ahead and chilled. Great on hot summer days or for parties.
Summer Pasta Salad can be put together the night ahead or made first thing in the morning. It chills and then is a nice refreshing side dish after a long, hot day. It's also a tasty dish to take to barbecues or pot luck dinners. There's nothing last minute to this pasta recipe, so it can be made and then forgotten until time to head out. That's really nice when you're trying to get things together and get out the door.

Southern Summer Pasta Salad
1 box of macaroni or spiral pasta (8 oz)
1 small onion (chopped fine)
2 stalks celery (sliced thin)
1 carrot (cut thin or shredded)
1 hard boiled egg (diced)
1 cup Miracle Whip (mayonnaise can also be used)
2 TBS sweet pickle relish
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 tsp pepper (fresh ground is really good)
1/8 tsp paprika
parsley (fresh is best - but flakes are OK)
Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Pour off hot water. Rinse with cold water to remove excess starch. Drain well. Put in large bowl.
Add onions, carrots, and egg. Toss this in with the pasta until it's fairly well mixed together.
In a small bowl, mix Miracle Whip, relish, mustard, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir well.
Pour the dressing mix over the pasta mixture and then toss to coat the pasta and vegetables.
Put some fresh parsley on top or sprinkle on some parsley flakes.
Seal and chill for at least two hours. All day or overnight is good.
A number of other items can be added to the summer salad. Try some of these for some variation:

cucumbers
bell peppers
summer squash
diced tomatoes
olives
bacon bits
Any of these are added in with the vegetables and egg with the pasta before adding the dressing mixture

Answer 2

I like the Baked Mac and Cheese from America's Test Kitchen. I am also a fan of cooking pasta then adding shredded cheese. There is also the possibility of pasta salads. Try www.cooks.com. If you want to use long pastas, there are recipes that use cooked spaghetti as a type of pie crust. I don't remember the recipe or source right now. If I come across it I will let you know.

Answer 3

Depending on the pasta, you can do all sorts of things with it!

Pesto is absolutely delish, and is actually very easy to make at home, provided you have a blender. Regardless, a lot of pre-made pesto sauces are actually pretty inexpensive and available at most supermarkets.

Spaghetti, vermicelli, fettuccine, and any other "long" pastas work very well in Asian/Oriental dishes -- my favourites from that region are Thai in origin. It's actually deceptively simple.

Also, hollow pastas (like macaroni) work great in baked mac n' cheese dishes, though if you're really intent on making it on the stove-top, there are some great recipes on FoodNetwork.com, and if you want to be a "cheater", Ragu makes a rather tasty Four Cheese sauce.

Answer 4

Boil pasta. Drain. Heat some olive oil in a pan. Add some zuccini, onions, peppers and garlic, all finely sliced and saute them until tender.

Add the pasta and mix around until well heated. Serve with grated cheese, fresh bread and nice green salad.

Answer 5

Pinenut Pesto Sauce

Cream Soups (like Cream of Chicken or Cream of Mushroom)

Roasted Red Peppers and Olive Oil

just some things I've used.

Answer 6

I've no clue what else you have..so here goes.
1) I saute veggies(any kind you like) lightly in EVOO with garlic toss with cooked pasta
2) Warm EVOO in a pan lightly toast garlic toss with cooked pasta, sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.
3) Cook Pasta drizzle with EVOO, garlic & fresh raw veggies. Example: Tomatos, Mushrooms, Cukes, Olives,just about anything you would eat in a salad works here. Be bold you can't go wrong.
4) Do a stir-fry tossed with cooked pasta. Veggies, scambled eggs, asia style seasonings. Kind of like stir-fried rice but with pasta.

I hope these give you some food for thought, get you outside the box.

Answer 7

Over low heat, warm some olive oil and add fresh garlic and spices and heat to infuse (basil is great). Toss with pasta, and add some fresh grated Parmesan, or asiago, or blue cheese crumbs.
My mother in law tosses her spaghetti with fresh tomatoes and Caesar Italian dressing, and either a few white beans or dark red kidney beans. It's surprisingly good. Grate Parmesan lightly over it if you wish.
You can also make an Italian soup with pasta, diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, summer squash, mushrooms, red kidney beans, and, if you like, meatballs. It's terrific!
My husband loves 4 Way Chili - thick beefy chili from ground beef, beans, and cheese, on top of spaghetti (or you can put it on macaroni and make chili mac). We garnish with onions.
Don't forget Hungarian goulash - always filling.

Answer 8

I made the best pasta bake last night....its just cooked macaroni, cooked chicken thighs cut into strips with leeks, garlic and white wine that has been sauted in a pan with plenty of butter and fresh thyme. Then put into a large dish with some cream and bake in a moderate oven...so tasty.

Answer 9

I learned an old fashioned side or main dish from my Mother and another from my Mother's friend many years ago utilitzing simple ingredients. My family enjoys them for a change. Maybe your family will also. Serve with hot bread MMMM Good

Mom's Macaroni and Tomatoes
Serves 4-6

1/2 LB. elbow macaroni
1 16 oz can of diced or coarsely chopped tomatoes (do not drain)
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper if desired
1 Tbs. butter or light olive oil

Cook macaroni according to directions.
Drain well.
Return to pan and add the tomatoes, butter and seasonings. Cook on medium low heat until hot. .. taste for salt and adjust as needed.

Naomi's Desperate for Something Different PORK CHOPS
Serves 4

4 pork chops (bone in)
olive oil
1/2 lb macaroni
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 white onion chopped fine
3 cloves of garlic minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Using a 10 inch skillet, add about 1 Tbs of oil, and heat on med high until hot then add chops. Fry downside until browned, turn over and brown other side.
Meawhile cook macaroni according to directions.
Allow chops to cook 10 minutes more, remove chops and wrap in foil. Add onions and garlc to skillet on a little past med. low. Saute until tender, Drain macaroni, add to skillet along with the tomatoes seasonings. Heat on medium until hot. Serve with chops and sweet peas as a side. Scrumptious! Corn Bread.....
Note. If you don't have chops, just use a couple Tbs of bacon grease. A great meatless meal.

Answer 10

You could try Pesto for one to replace the boredom of Marinara and Alfredo. You could also use a Lemon Butter Sauce with a little Olive Oil and Garlic - Its DELICIOUS!!!