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Pasta recipes

How to cook pasta

Pasta is one of our favourite ingredients to cook with. The ultimate way to create a cheap, quick and easy family meal, pasta is one of the most versatile staples out there. If you want to learn how to make your pasta perfect every time, what pasta to buy and how to make it from scratch, take a look at our handy guide to pasta. 

Types of pasta 

Dried pasta is the easiest way to make a pasta recipe at home. It lasts for ages, is super cheap and can be used in many different ways. There are so many different types of dried pasta on the shelf in the supermarket but which one should you go for? 

Penne

The long, thin tubes are very versatile and can be used to make most dishes. Especially good for pasta salad, it’s hollow middle and slight ridges mean it can hold extra sauce.

 

Fusilli
The tight corkscrew swirls can sometime be fused with different colours with the addition of ingredients such as beetroot and spinach. Also incredibly versatile, they can be used to make most pasta dishes and are especially good for pasta bakes. 

Spaghetti 
The long thin stands are the basis for many classic pasta dishes including carbonara and Bolognese. Vermicelli is a very thin version of spaghetti while linguine is a slightly wider version.

 

Macaroni 
The small thin tubes are the ultimate shape for a really cheesy pasta dish – that’s why it’s called macaroni cheese

 

 

Farfalle 
Sometimes called bow-tie pasta for its unique shape, it is most commonly used with tomato and cream based dishes. 

 

 

Fettuccine
Translated as little ribbons in Italian, this noodle-type pasta is a thicker version of tagiatelle, which are both delicious with meaty sauces like Bolgonese. 

 

Conchiglie
The small shells are also a very popular pasta choice as they capture lots of sauce per bite.

 

 

Lasagne 
The thin layers of pasta are traditionally used to create the dish of the same name when combined with meaty and béchamel sauces and lots of cheese. Cannelloni is similar to lasagne but comes in round tubes and is normally stuffed with a spinach and ricotta filling. 

Stuffed pasta
As well as the plain dry pasta you can also get shapes that can be stuffed with a filling of your choice or come pre-stuffed in the ready meal section of the supermarket. Chose from ravioli (square pouches), tortellini (rings of stuffed pasta) or jumbo shells.

 

Fresh pasta 
Found in the chilled aisles of supermarkets, fresh pasta is ready in minutes and great if you want to try a posh pasta dish as it has a lovely fresh taste to it. It needs to be kept in your fridge and expires quite quickly after opening so is only really good for special occasions. 

Homemade pasta 
All you need to make homemade pasta is some strong flour (00 pasta flour is the best to use) eggs and some olive oil. It can be a little fiddly to make but it’s worth the effort if you want to impress. It’s a lot easier if you do have a pasta maker as you need to stretch the pasta until it’s very thin. See our easy homemade pasta recipe and top tips from Simply Italian star Michela Chiappa to make your own pasta.

How to cook pasta 

Pasta has got to be one of the easiest things to cook. Dried pasta takes around 12 mins to cook (although you can get quick-cook varieties). Always check the pack before cooking. You need to get a large pan and fill it with 3-4 times the amount of water to pasta. You can add salt to the water to season the pasta but this is not essential and can be done afterwards.

Fresh pasta can be ready in as a little as 30 seconds so it’s important to check it regularly. When cooking pasta, the experts say to cook it al dente (to the tooth) which means soft but with a firm bite but this is down to personal preference.

Once cooked, you can just stir through a sauce or combine with other ingredients and a sauce and bake with a cheesy crust to make a pasta bake – the choices are endless with our selection of easy pasta recipes

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Top 20 pasta recipes

If you’re not sure what to make this month, pasta should definitely be on the menu. It’s so easy to prepare, only takes minutes to cook and can transform any dish into a filling, family favourite.

We’ve rounded up the most popular pasta recipes on goodtoknow, so you’ll have no problem finding the perfect dish for you. Maybe you’re looking for something healthy and simple for the kids? Or you’re watching your figure, counting the calories and want something light? Whatever your choice, this month’s selection of pasta recipes are sure to do the trick.

From creamy mushroom pasta bake to spicy chorizo and chicken pasta, vegetable macaroni cheese to classic spaghetti carbonara, the choice is yours. Pasta comes in all shapes and sizes and can be bought in all supermarkets so you’ll never have problems getting your hands on some.

If you’re looking for a speedy supper, use fresh pasta instead as it cooks quicker, or if you have pasta on a regular basis, buy in bulk as it’s much cheaper than buying small packs every time you shop.

Don’t forget to save any of these tasty dishes if you like what you see. Create your very own online recipe book by signing up through Facebook. Once you’ve logged in, you can save as many recipes as you like, all in one place so when you return to the site you won’t have to go far to find your favourites.

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Lasagne recipes

Goodtoknow TV

Free & easy recipe video: Watch new how-to recipe videos with goodtoknow and Woman’s Weekly see all videos >

  1. A light, fresh version of a traditional meat lasagne, assembled on the plate rather than baked, and full of seasonal flavours like asparagus and broad beans.

  2. Try Kirstie Allsopp’s delicious Mexican inspired lasagne packed full of vegetables – a great way to give kids a few of their five-a-day!

  3. You may not think kale is ideally suited to lasagne but the green vegetable gives it a boost of goodness and tastes delicious

  4. We know you all love chicken as well as lasagne, so why not have both? Chopped chicken makes a great lasagne filling, especially when mixed with sweetcorn and leeks. Use…

Your favourite lasagne recipes

Got friends over? Need to feed the family? Want tasty comfort food? Choose a lasagne recipe every time! We’ve got classic beef lasagne recipes, turkey lasagne recipes and tasty vegetarian lasagne recipes. Whether you spell it lasagne or lasagna – these recipes are perfect for you

  • Looking for an easy meat-free dish that vegetarians and meat eaters will love? Try this lasagne with rich Bolognese s…

  • A vegetarian lasagne that doesn’t compromise on taste, packed with flavours of tomato, peppers, onion and garlic. Tuc…

  • A robust, chunky, filling lasagne that’s perfect for a winter’s day. Serve with a light sald and you’ll be well on yo…

  • Vegetarian food isn’t just for vegetarians and this tasty lasagne is bound to appeal to even your most meat obsessed …

  • The best thing about lasagne is the bubbling, golden cheesy topping – and this vegetarian lasagne is so easy and quick.

  • This quick and easy veggie lasagne has been created by celeb chef James Martin to celebrate National Vegetarian Week.

  • Think lasagne takes too long to make? This easy recipe takes just 15 mins to prepare and about half an hour in the oven.

  • A classic Italian lasagne is always a winner. This roast vegetable version is delicious – and it’s dairy- and gluten-…

  • Love lasagne but want to try something different? This version with turkey mince is super-tasty – and it works out a …

  • Layers of filling Mediterranean vegetables complemented by a rich, smooth sauce

  • Impress your friends with this pasta dish which looks like it’s straight from a restaurant – open lasagne with spinac…

  • Packed with veg like peppers, courgettes and tomatoes, this vegetarian lasagne with soya mince is healthy and tasty.

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