Recipes

Different types of pasta and their recipes

by BigBasket
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Pasta is believed to have originated in Italy but today it is eaten across the world. Made from the flour of refined wheat, whole wheat, durum wheat, millets, or quinoa, the nutritional value of pasta is determined by its base ingredient. Refined pasta, which is pasta made from wheat kernels that have been stripped of their skin and husk, lacks several nutrients and is high on the glycemic index. Whereas whole wheat, durum wheat, multi-millet, or quinoa pasta possess more fibre, amino acids, and other essential nutrients. Hence, incorporating different types of whole grains into your diet brings with itself a host of health benefits.

Apart from its ingredients, pasta is also differentiated on the basis of its shape—farfalle, fusilli, penne, spaghetti, and macaroni are a few. Each of these possesses properties that add different textures and culinary nuances to the dish you’re making. For instance, penne with its longish tube-like shape and farfalle with its bow-tie shape, hold sauces better, owing to their many nooks and crannies. Therefore, they are great in dishes that have a thick creamy sauce as it gets easily scooped up by the pasta. Fusilli, on the other hand, has a spiral shape, like a corkscrew. When cooked al dente, it adds a nice bite to salads while its grooves and crevices are great at scooping up the dressing. Hence, each shape has its own features and so they all add value to different kinds of dishes.

To help you on your way to rediscovering pasta, here are a few all-time favourite recipes for different shapes.

1. Spaghetti In Red Sauce

Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Type: Main Course with Spaghetti

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Boil the spaghetti.
  2. Dice the vegetables. Sauté the diced vegetables in oil.
  3. Once the vegetables caramelise, throw in the boiled and cooled spaghetti. Mix well and add in the pasta sauce. Toss well. Add more sauce, if needed. The pasta should be well coated in the sauce. Cover and cook for two minutes.
  4. Take the pasta off the heat and mix in a generous portion of cheese. Add the cream and swirl well.
  5. Check for seasoning and serve hot.

Click here to buy HappyChef Spaghetti Pasta

2. Macaroni Masala

Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Type: Main course with macaroni or elbow pasta

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Boil the macaroni and let it cool. Chop the onion, tomato, carrot, beans, and capsicum finely.
  2. Heat butter in a wok and sauté onion and other vegetables till well done.
  3. Add in the cooked macaroni and toss the pasta well with the vegetables and pasta masala.
  4. Add in the tomato ketchup and cheese too and mix well. Cover and cook for a minute or two.
  5. Check for the seasonings and serve hot.

Click here to buy HappyChef Macaroni Pasta 

3. Spinach and Mushroom Farfalle

Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Type: Main course with Farfalle or bow pasta

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Boil the farfalle with some salt.
  2. Slice mushrooms and finely chop spinach. Crush the garlic cloves and finely chop them.
  3. Heat butter in a pan and toss in garlic, mushrooms, and spinach. Fry them till well done.
  4. Add in the boiled pasta with white sauce and seasonings.
  5. Mix well. The pasta should be coated with the sauce.
  6. Serve the pasta hot with grated parmesan over it.

Click here to buy HappyChef Farfalle Pasta 

4. Cherry Tomato and Fusilli Salad

Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Type: Salad

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Boil fusilli in salted water, drain, and cool.
  2. Chop tomatoes in half and finely chop carrot, onion, and parsley.
  3. Take a bowl and mix all ingredients.
  4. Drizzle olive oil and season well to serve.

Click here to buy HappyChef Fusilli Pasta 

5. Penne and Vegetable Soup

Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Type: Soup

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Finely chop all the vegetables.
  2. Crush garlic cloves and roughly chop the sundried tomatoes too.
  3. Heat butter in a pan and sauté garlic and vegetables.
  4. Add about 6 cups of water and bring it to a boil.
  5. Add in the pasta and the seasonings. Cover and simmer for about 10-12 minutes till pasta is done.
  6. The soup should be thick by the starch in the pasta. If it is thin boil for some more time.
  7. Garnish with parmesan and serve hot with buttery toasted garlic bread.

Click here to buy HappyChef Penne Pasta

6. Kids’ Delight

Cook time: 45 minutes
Serves: 4 people
Type: Main Course with kids pink and blue pasta

Ingredients:

Method:

  1. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and sauté Maida on a low flame till it changes colour to light brown.
  2. Pour milk and whisk quickly. Bring this paste to a boil. Season with salt, pepper, and mixed herbs. Add in the cheese and let it melt. Let this cool.
  3. Boil the pasta and drain.
  4. Take another pan and sauté finely chopped vegetables in butter till tender.
  5. Transfer the vegetables and the pasta into the white sauce and toss well. Cover and cook for a couple of minutes and serve hot.

Tips:

  1. Use a combination of pink and blue pasta.
  2. A combination of mozzarella and cheddar cheese works well.

Click here to buy HappyChef Kids Pasta

Pasta has always been a favourite. The trick to any great pasta dish is to ensure that the pasta is not overcooked and mushy. Sauces, veggies, and proteins that accompany it can be an individual’s choice. That’s the versatility of pasta.

 

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A Cheesy Story – Make Your Own Cheese At Home 

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