P A S T A

I love pasta. Could I eat it everyday? Absolutely, and I would in all honesty, but I worry that I would ruin one of my favourite foods on this planet. Is that even possible? Why would I even dare to find out when my love for pasta runs so deep. 

To pick a favourite pasta shape would be difficult for me. They all have their perfect place at the table and their perfectly paired sauce. Certain dishes require certain pasta shapes for reasons like ridges, length, capability of holding sauce in pockets, or functionality. Some can be swapped in for one another but you'd never expect a spaghetti mac and cheese. (Although hmm, is this something I need to try?) 

Let's celebrate my love for pasta together! I've gone through the blog and looked for some of my favourite pasta recipes and the various shapes they came in. Let's take a look at some of these delish pasta recipes!

RIGATONI

Rigatoni lentil Bolognese

Ok guys, this was honestly one of my favourite rigatoni recipes I've ever written. First of all, I love rigatoni because when it's cooked to al dente perfectly, it has the perfect texture / chew. It's incredibly hearty and perfect for a bolognese. Secondly, the bolognese itself is so fu<king good! 

​When it comes to bolognese, it's important that it has the opportunity to cook for at least an hour but the longer you leave it, the more rich and delicious it will become. Then, I finished it in a skillet with some cream and butter, tossed the rig, and finished with freshly grated grana padano.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/rigatoni-lentil-bolognese

TORTELLINI

Cheesy Pesto Tortellini Skillet

In my defense, it was night time and this picture is not doing this abundantly flavourful, cheesy skillet the justice it deserves. What's not to love about tortellini? They're plump, have fab texture / chew, and are so good in so many different pasta dishes. I love them with tomato, creamy sauces, and pesto, like my Cheesy Tortellini Pesto Skillet. 

I swap out pine nuts for walnuts to save money because let's face it, we all strugglin'! Skipping the pine nuts does NOT skip on the flavour; this pesto is so yummy! This recipe also couldn't be easier, sauce & toss, cheese, broil, and eat.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/cheesy-tortellini-pesto-skillet

Creamy Tortellini Chowder

Tortellini in soup is actually the perfect pairing if you really think about it. More often than not, most of your veggies in your soup are missing that crunch they once had before simmering in your delicious soup. That's where tortellini fits right in!

Tortellini are so plump and wonderful, they add just the right amount of texture to this rich and decadently creamy tomato based soup. Finished simply with fresh parsley & grana padano, this soup is delightful and features tortellini perfectly.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/creamy-tortellini-chowder

MACARONI

Southern Mac N Cheese

This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it was the first time I wrote and tested a Southern style mac and cheese. Unlike using a roux, this mac and cheese relies on eggs to thicken it as it bubbles away in all of its cheesy glory in the oven.

Obviously, the copious amount of cheese in this mac makes it special simply by default, but it's the golden brown crust, utter divinity of slicing and serving it, and flavour that really make it one of my fave mac and cheeses I've ever had.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/southern-mac-n-cheese

FUSILLI

Baked Feta Fusilli

Fusilli are another one of those pasta shapes that I enjoy for both their ability to hold sauce in their ridges, and their texture when cooked to a perfect al dente. I've had fusilli a bazillion ways and I'm certain that most of you have as well. I swear I always had a bag growing up.

Anyways, I chose this fusilli recipe because it was one of the only times I tried one of those wild tik tok cooking trends; the baked feta pasta. Intrigued, I whipped up my own version and honestly, it was pretty fricken good. We should all try it once so why not try my recipe? 

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/baked-feta-fusilli

GNOCCHI

Easily my top 3 favourite pastas, and that can be directly traced back to the potatoes that are involved in these glorious, fluffy potato pillows.

Summer Sheet Pan Gnocchi

K, this recipe is pretty recent but I selected it because it's literally perfect. Why boil water and make a sauce, pumping endless amounts of humidity in to the already hot summer air when you can simply roast everything together. Wowzas!

Featuring fresh peppers, red onions, medley tomatoes, cauliflower, and zucchini, this sheet pan gnocchi is fresh, light yet hearty, and a wonderful way to use gnocchi.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/summer-sheet-pan-gnocchi

Spicy Tomato Gnocchi Skillet Bake with Ricotta & Gremolata

I love this gnocchi recipe because everything gets sauced, tossed, and baked in the same skillet. I also love the punchy, spicy tomato sauce paired up with the plump gnocchi, creamy ricotta, and freshness from the gremolata. It's a combination of flavours and textures that just works.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/spicy-tomato-gnocchi-skillet-bake-with-ricotta-gremolata

Cheesy Gnocchi, Broccoli, and Cauliflower Skillet

Potatoes plus cheese is a win. Broccoli plus cheese is a win. Cauliflower plus cheese, also a win. Altogether in one bubbly, cheesy, decadent skillet bake? How can we all not win from this?

The skillet is so rich and decadent while the cauliflower & broccoli become so tender and wonderful. Plus, a crispy baked topping is always welcome in such a rich, smooth skillet.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/gnocchi-cauli-broccoli-cheese-skillet​

SHELLS

Ricotta & Meatball Stuffed Shells

Stuffed shells go way back in my family, it was one of my favourite dishes my mother made growing up. I've whipped up a few different variations over time including these cheesy meatball stuffed shells. Tender Impossible meatballs, creamy ricotta filling, and a blended tomato sauce. The meatballs make things interesting, such a fun recipe.

Recipes

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/meatball-ricotta-stuffed-shells

Spicy, Cheesy Baked Shells

Look, jumbo shells are probably my most used shell, but this spicy, cheesy baked dish gives the stuffed shell a r un for its money. Basically, you're looking at a mac and cheese that uses shells instead of mac noods, cranked up in the heat department of course. There's something sinful about a really cheesy mac and spice coming together. This was a delicious recipe.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/spicy-cheesy-baked-shells

Sundried Tomato & Ricotta Stuffed Shells with Creamy White Wine Sauce

This recipe right here is my absolute favourite stuffed shell recipe I've ever written. Unlike my others, we're using a creamy wine sauce to cook our jumbo shells in. It makes the whole dish extra decadent and wonderful. The filling utilizes sundried tomatoes for a punch of extra flavour that helps to cut through the richness of the dish. They're absolutely delicious and perfect in every way. Y'all need to trust me and make this recipe!

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/sundried-tom-ricotta-stuffed-shells-with-creamy-white-wine-sauce

TAGLIATELLE

Cacio E Pepe Style Tagliatelle with Pepperoncini & Garlic

K, tagliatelle are nice because they're heartier than spaghetti for example and have a nice chew to them. While not tradish persay, these noods were my preferred choice for my cacio e pepe style recipe.

A "sauce" that is essential pepper, butter, pasta water, cheese, garlic, and heat. Simple, flavourful, and let's the tagliatelle take center stage.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/cacio-e-pepe-style-tagliatelle-with-pepperoncini-parsley-garlic

Sunflower Seed Pesto Tagliatelle for 2

Looking for another alternative to super expensive pine nuts? Try making your pesto with sunflower seeds. It's equally as nutty, emulsifies nicely together as pine nuts would, and makes a pretty banging pesto.

​Tagliatelle is nice with a sauce that isn't too chunky and can simply envelop each noodle with a glossy sheen. 

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/sunflower-basil-pesto-tagliatelle-recipe-below

PENNE

Ok, we're all probably over penne depending on where we are in our lives. It's the most overused pasta in my opinion which has really devalued it. Tell me you haven't been to at least 3 weddings where it was tomato sauce penne? Because of this, we've stopped appreciating it, but I refuse to give in. 

Penne Arabiatta with Mozz Stuffed Meatballs

Arabiatta sauce is basically tomato sauce with the addition of chilis. If you've made any of my tomato sauce recipes from the blog, they're always hot because I like heat in everything. I really cranked it up for this one and c'mon, cheesy stuffed vegetarian meatballs? Re-appreciate penne as I've done and make this recipe.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/penne-arabiatta-with-mozz-stuffed-meatballs

Cheesy Baked Penne with Romano Beans & Corn

Photography has definitely improved since I posted this recipe but that doesn't negate how wonderfully it worked out. I stan a baked pasta and penne is perfect for tossing in a creamy sauce and baking to golden brown perfection. With added corn for crunch and romano beans for meatiness, it's a delicious pasta bake to appreesh penne.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/cheesy-baked-penne-with-fresh-corn-romano-beans

Meaty Penne Bolognese Bake

K, so think about that lackluster, dry looking pasta you likely had at your friend's wedding, and then imagine that but 100% percent better! There needs to be melty cheese, herbs, love, anything other than a jar of marinara and not enough sauce to pasta action happening. Plus, this bolognese is rich and meaty thanks to how far plant-based meats have come.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/meaty-bolognese-bolognese-penne-pasta-bake

PAPRDELLE

Pappardelle with Blended Tomato Sauce

Pappardelle is probs my fave long pasta. So much chew, so much texture, and perfect with a variety of sauces. I had to share this recipe because it was the first and only time I've made pasta from scratch and it was a resounding success. Smothered in that buttery tomato sauce and copious amounts of grana padano, it's the perfect pasta dish imo.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/pappardelle-with-blended-tomato-sauce

Spaghetti

Mom's SPicy Sketti Skillet

This recipe might anger some spaghetti purists out there but it's a play on a recipe my mother made for us growing up and she always broke the spaghetti. Sacrelig? Maybe, but so delicious and it still let's the spaghetti shine imo. Basically, it's a one pot dish that combines heat, tomatoes, dry spaghetti, veggies, and plant-based meat together with so much melty mozzarella, it's naughty.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/the-happy-veggie/moms-spicy-mozza-sketti-skillet

Cinci Chili 4 Way

Please, research Cincinnati chili before you look at this and question my sanity. It's a thing, and it's fu<king delicious too! Basically, it is a unique chili that features notes of cinnamon and clove, simmered down for hours until rich, meaty, and so flavourful. To make it 4 way, in needs chili, raw, diced onion, and so much shredded cheddar. Believe it or not, this is one of my fave spaghetti dishes I've ever had. I dare you to try it!

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/cinci-chili

LASAGNA

Tradish Lasagna

I referred to this as tradish because of its simplicity. Meaty sauce, layers of tender lasagna noodles, and creamy ricotta filling. It's the most basic of lasagnas but it doesn't skimp on the flavour. Lasagna is a labour of love, but one that is worth every ounce of effort you put in to it.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/tradish-lasagna

Lasagna Soup

After you've made a lasagna, you've probably been left with leftover noods that are destined for the trash unless you get creative. How about Lasagna Soup? Featuring all of the flavours of a traditional lasgna, but in a bowl. Simply chop up those noods, make your soup, and serve with a dollop of ricotta for a delicious alternative to lasagna.

Recipe

​www.thehappyveg.ca/recipes/lasagna-soup

WHAT'S YOUR SHAPE?

These recipes only touch on the several different kinds of pasta and fun shapes you can find out there. I've made Italian Wedding Soup with the cutest little pasta stars. I've made the most delicious ravioli bakes / lasagnas and they've all been fabulous. Head to the SEARCH bar on the home page and type in your fave pasta. Maybe I've got a few recipes waiting just for you!

HAPPY VEG