Pasta is my favourite dish to eat during lunch and dinner. There is nothing more fulfilling than a cheesy, meaty pasta. If you are as much of a pasta lover as I am, here are five different pasta dishes to try during the break. You can eat it during lunch or dinner while relaxing and watching some Netflix.

Creamy Tomato and Spinach Pasta

Photo from Beth of Budget Bytes

For the vegetarian pasta lovers, this creamy tomato and spinach pasta is a great meal. It’s healthy and you could serve it for your family. You can use an extra touch of cream cheese and parmesan cheese to make the tomato sauce more creamy. Or, if you’re not into cream cheese, 1/4 cup of half and half milk could have a similar effect.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb penne pasta ($0.89)

• 1 small onion ($0.25)

• 2 cloves of garlic ($0.16)

• 1 tbsp olive oil ($0.16)

• 15 oz can diced tomatoes ($0.59)

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano ($0.03)

• 1/2 tsp dried basil ($0.03)

• A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional) ($0.02)

• 1/2 tsp salt ($0.03)

• freshly cracked pepper, to taste ($0.05)

• 2 tbsp tomato paste ($0.11)

• 2 oz cream cheese ($0.48)

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan ($0.42)

• 4.5 oz fresh spinach ($0.50)

For recipe instructions, go to: https://www.budgetbytes.com/2013/07/creamy-tomato-spinach-pasta/

Chicken and Bacon Pasta with Spinach and Tomatoes in Garlic Cream Sauce

Photo from Julia of Julia’s Album

This is similar to the vegetarian dish I first mentioned, but with this meal you are adding chicken, bacon and a creamy garlic sauce. While the original ingredients contain gluten, and all you need to make it gluten-free is brown-rice penne pasta instead of regular penne. I recommend this pasta meal to anybody who loves chicken like me. Especially, those who love their food with all kinds of spices!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 lb of chicken (chicken breast or tenders)

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (thyme, oregano, basil)

• 5 medium tomatoes, chopped in large cubes

• 1 cup cooked spinach

• 5 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

• 6 bacon strips, cooked, drained of fat, and chopped

• 1 and 1/3 cups half and half milk

• 1 and 1/3 cups Parmesan cheese, shredded

• 10 oz penne pasta (for gluten-free version, use gluten-free brown-rice penne, such as Tinkyada)

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving

For cooking instructions, go to: http://juliasalbum.com/2015/02/chicken-and-bacon-pasta-with-spinach-and-tomatoes-in-garlic-cream-sauce/

One Skillet Cheesy Penne

Photo from Carl of Carl’s Bad Cravings 

For me, I love my pasta cheesy and with beef. This one skillet cheesy penne pasta is my number one pasta. It’s a good meal try with your friends and family, or when you’re at home watching a movie.

Prep Time 10 Minutes

Cook Time 20 Minutes

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 lb lean ground beef (may use 1/2 sausage)

• Salt and pepper

• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

• 1 yellow onion, diced

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 6-8 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes in puree

• 1 15 oz can fire roasted tomatoes with seasonings, drained

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 and 1/2 tsp chicken bouillon, sugar, dried basil

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano, dried parsley

• 3 cups water

• 12 oz uncooked penne (about 3 1/2 cups)

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/2 cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese

• 1 cup freshly grated mozzarella cheese

To learn how to make this penne pasta, here’s the link:

http://carlsbadcravings.com/one-skillet-cheesy-penne-recipe/#

Taco Pasta

Photo from Mandy of Mandy’s Recipe Box Blog

If you love Tacos and you love pasta, this taco pasta dish is a good combination. The flavours of tacos combined with pasta makes for a delicious meal that’s great for any kind of day during the winter break. And it only just takes 30 minutes to prepare!

Cook time 30 mins

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef

• 8 oz uncooked rotini pasta

• 2 cups water

• 1 packet taco seasoning

• 1 cup jarred salsa

• 1 and 1/2 cups shredded fiesta blend cheese

Go to http://mandysrecipeboxblog.com/taco-pasta/ for this recipe’s instructions!

One Pot Cajun Chicken and Sausage Alfredo Pasta

Photo from One Pot

My last pasta meal is for the spicy sausage lovers out there. This cajun chicken & sausage alfredo can fill your taste buds right up! It’s a simple dish with so many flavours; the spices will warm you up during our cold winters. It will only take you 30 minutes to serve your friends and family this delicious, flavour-packed meal!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Servings 8-10

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

• 1 lb of chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces

• 1/2 tsp of kosher salt

• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 14 oz smoked sausage, sliced on the diagonal

• 4 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 quart of low-sodium chicken broth

• 2 and 1/2 cups of heavy cream

• 1 lb of dried penne pasta

• 1 1/2 tbsp of Cajun seasoning, plus more for topping

• 4 oz of freshly shredded parmesan cheese

• 1 cup of Italian flat leaf parsley, minced

To learn how to make this meal, go to:

http://www.number-2-pencil.com/2015/10/15/one-pot-cajun-chicken-and-sausage-alfredo/

While these recipes are super tasty, there are so many other types of pasta meals you could think of. So, if these don’t suit your taste, you can always go on Pinterest and look up more pasta recipes.

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