Cuisine: Pasta

Pasta with Chickpeas and Za’atar

I was home alone and rummaged through my pantry and made this Pasta with Chickpeas and Za’atar from Yotam Ottolenghi's cookbook, Simple. Za'atar is a mixture of sumac, sesame seed and herbs used throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It was the perfect dinner channel surfing in front of the TV.

By Leslie Blythe

Shrimp, Leek, and Spinach Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce

My husband was out of town last weekend and I can never figure out what to eat. Usually, I buy something ready made. I can see your eyes rolling, but I do cook a lot and sometimes get tired of it. Though this time I decided to make myself an elegant lunch. Why not?

This Shrimp, Leek, and Spinach Pasta with Lemon Cream Sauce is quick to make. The dish relies on the leeks, tang of lemons with the richness of cream sauce for its flavor.

By Leslie Blythe

Skillet Lasagna

This Skillet Lasagna is an easier and faster way to make lasagna than the traditional way all in one skillet. Do not substitute no-boil lasagna noodles for the traditional, curly-edged lasagna noodles here. Use either whole milk or part-skim ricotta here, but do not use fat-free ricotta, which has a very dry texture and bland flavor.

By Leslie Blythe

Spaghetti Pomodoro

My daughter made this Spaghetti Pomodoro recipe from Bon Appétit, Basically 10 x 10 recipe, which is "Ten weeks, ten recipes that will make you a better cook". The recipe is very detailed for beginner cooks.

By Leslie Blythe

Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta with Bacon and Crispy Sage

I was rummaging through the fridge and came up with this Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta with Bacon and Crispy Sage. I was inspired by Trader Joe's Autumnal Harvest Alfredo Sauce which is made with pumpkin and butternut squash purées. All I can say is that it's a great idea. You can cheat and just buy their sauce or make it yourself with canned pumpkin.

By Leslie Blythe

Pasta with Potatoes, Shallots, Sage, and Gorgonzola

This Pasta with Potatoes, Shallots, Sage, and Gorgonzola reminds me of a dish from the Northen Italian region of Liguria. The classic is a dish I made a while ago called Croxetti with Potatoes, Green Beans & Pesto. It seems counter-intuitive to add potatoes to a pasta dish - starch on starch, but it does work.

By Leslie Blythe

Shrimp Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce

This Shrimp Pasta with Tomato Basil Sauce is very easy to make and full of delicious flavors. By the time you cook the pasta, the shrimp and tomato basil sauce is done.

By Leslie Blythe

Quick Tomato-Basil Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella

This Quick Tomato-Basil Pasta with Fresh Mozzarella is an easy back to school, family-friendly meal, using minimal ingredients. It's pasta with tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, and fresh basil.

By Leslie Blythe

Lemony Israeli Couscous

This is the Lemony Israeli Couscous that I served at the outdoor concert last weekend. I used Trader Joe's Harvest Grain Blends which has Israeli Couscous in it with some quinoa and orzo pasta.

By Leslie Blythe

Fettuccine with Chicken in Tequila Lime Cream Sauce

Yesterday, we were out for lunch and there was this pasta with tequila lime cream sauce. I did not order it, but it sounded so good that I came home and made it for dinner. Fettuccine with Chicken in Tequila Lime Cream Sauce is tequila-lime marinated chicken, creamy tangy lime-cream sauce which is perfect with pasta. It would also be delicious with salmon or shrimp.

By Leslie Blythe