Bruschetta Pasta

1/2 package penne pasta
1 can diced tomatoes (garlic and basil)
2 tbsp balsamic vinaigrette
1 tbsp zesty seasoning

Serves: two

1: Cook pasta according to instruction, minus one minute
2: Add undrained tomatoes, balsamic vinaigrette and zesty seasoning
3: Cover and simmer on low for 10-15 minutes to infuse flavors

Ditalini-o's

Feel like being a kid again?  These Ditalini-o's taste like a heartier version of a childhood favorite, Spaghetti-o's!

1/2 box Ditalini pasta
1 can Progresso Hearty Tomato soup

Makes: 2 extra large bowls

1: Cook pasta according to instruction

2: Add hearty tomato soup, cover and simmer on low for about five minutes

Baked Ziti

I'm fairly certain this dish is even more scrumptious on Day Two!  Leftover City, here I come! 

1 package ziti style pasta
2 cans of tomato sauce (seasoned with garlic, oregano, salt and pepper) OR
  Jarred pasta sauce (if you'd like something quicker)
10-12 basil leaves cut chiffon style
1 package Daiya Mozzarella cheese

1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2: Prepare pasta according to packaging, drain and set aside
3: Add pasta, sauce and basil together in a cake or casserole pan

4: Top with Daiya and a bit of salt

5: Bake for about 25 minutes, then broil on high for 2-3 minutes until Daiya is lightly browned

Serves: 8

Spaghetti Carbonara

2 pieces of Field Roast Smoked Tomato Deli Slice (or 5 pieces of Smart Bacon)
3 square inches of Daiya Jack style wedge
1 tbsp Earth Balance
1/2 package angel hair pasta

1: Boil spaghetti according to instruction, drain and set aside.
2: Chop up Smoked Tomato Deli Slices and Daiya and saute in a pan on medium until faux-meat is crisp and Daiya is melted

3: Reduce heat to low, add Earth Balance and drained pasta and stir until pasta is coated
4: Garnish with a bit of parsley and serve immediately

Chili Mac

A simple, quick meal that takes less than 15 minutes to make... an old family favorite! 

1/2 package penne pasta
1 can Hormel Vegetarian Chili

1: Boil pasta for about 11 minutes or until pasta is cooked to your preference
2: Drain and place back into pot and add chili
3: Cook on low for a few minutes and serve

Buttered Pasta

Quick side-dish for those who love parmesan pasta! 

1/2 package pasta
2 tbsp Earth Balance
1/4 package Daiya Havarti wedge
1 tsp dried parsley
salt & cracked pepper

1: Boil pasta according to package instructions, strain and return to pot
2: Add Earth Balance, Daiya Havarti, parsley and cook on low until melted and completely mixed together

Cream Cheese Pasta

Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese melted deliciously!  If you like your pasta a bit more creamy, add another tbsp cream cheese and double the Earth Balance!

1/2 package penne pasta
3 tbsp Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese Herbs & Chives
1 tsp Earth Balance
1 tsp dried parsley
salt & pepper

Makes: 2 servings

1: Prepare pasta as directed on package, drain and add back to pot

 2: Heat on low-medium, adding Tofutti cream cheese and Earth balance and stir until melted

 3: Add parsley, salt and pepper to your taste!  Eat this warm or add a sauce over it if you'd like!

Cheesy Butternut Squash Ravioli

Rising Moon Organics Butternut Squash Ravioli
1/3 block of Daiya Cheddar style wedge
1 tsp Earth Balance
salt & pepper

Makes: 2 servings

Mix it all together in a pan on medium heat until Daiya and Earth Balance are completely melted.

Another alternative is to just cook the ravioli with a bit of olive oil, salt & pepper and a bit of parsley:

Fried Spaghetti

This is a favorite from my childhood... Mom's (leftover) fried spaghetti!  If you like baked spaghetti, this is a quicker option.

1/2 package of Barilla angel hair pasta
1 green pepper
1/2 chopped onion
1 jar/can of marinara sauce
salt & pepper

Makes: 3 servings

1: Cook pasta according to package instructions, rinse and set aside
2: Chop peppers and onions

3: Saute on medium heat and remove from stovetop

4: Add precooked pasta and pasta sauce and mix

At this point, you could either refrigerate the pasta to fully absorb the sauce or move along to the next step.

5: In a medium skillet, fry 1/3 of the pasta until each side is browned

6: I like to add lots of salt and pepper during this step...yum!

Macaroni & Cheese

Mac & Cheese is a classic dish...you won't believe how creamy and delicious this is!

1/2 package of pasta

1/4 cup Earth Balance
2/3 wedge of Daiya Cheddar style

Makes: 4 servings (a great side dish!)

1: Cook pasta according to instruction, strain, add back to pot
2: Cut up Daiya and Earth Balance into cube

 3: Add Daiya and Earth Balance to pot and cook on low-medium and stir until all is completely melted together

 4: Add salt & pepper and there you have a perfect lunch or side-dish!

Creamy Roma Tomato Pasta

The perfect meal for a light pasta-coma... just slice up a baguette with salt & peppered olive oil to dip!

1/2 pack penne pasta
1/3 block (3 tbsp) Daiya Havarti wedge
1 diced de-seeded roma tomato (or more if you really like tomatoes)
2 tbsp Earth Balance
1 tsp dried parsley

Makes: 2 large servings

1: Cook pasta according to direction.
2: Add chunks of Daiya Harvarti and Earth Balance and cook on medium until melted

 3: Turn the burner down to low and add diced roma

 4: Cook until everything is mixed well, then add parsley.  Serve immediately

Mac & Peas

 

This is inspired by a meal my mom used to make for my siblings and I as children- loved it!  I'll never forget picking out the beef crumbles to avoid biting into a bumpy cartilage piece!  Ew, I know...glad I don't have to worry about that anymore! ;) 

1/2 package of pasta

1/4 cup Earth Balance
1/2 can peas
1/2 package Smart Ground veggie protein crumble
Daiya Cheddar style wedge

1: Cook pasta according to instruction, strain, add back to pot and set aside
2: Add a bit of olive oil to pan and heat protein crumbles, stirring and turning for about 7 minutes.  I added a generous amount of salt and cracked pepper, but a sprinkle will do too

 3: Cube Daiya wedge

4: Add about 2/3 of Daiya cubes and Earth Balance to pot of pasta and stir on medium heat until completely melted

 

 5: Add 1/2 can of peas and cooked protein crumbles

 6: Serve immediately...so YUM!

Cheesy Goulash

2/3 package of Garofalo Pasta (I used Casarecce cut)
1 15 oz can of organic tomato sauce
2 tbsp Earth balance
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 red onion
1/3 cup Daiya cheddar shreds
a bit of parsley or oregano

1: Boil pasta according to direction, the Casarecce I used was ready in 11 minutes.  Strain and set aside.

2: Chop onion and saute with garlic and Earth Balance.  I used 2 tbsp of this previously made garlic butter instead.

3: Add tomato sauce and and cook on medium-low heat.

4: Add the pasta (2/3 of the package, as the entire package will make a dry pasta) and parsley/oregano and stir until mixed.

5: Add Daiya and stir in until melted. 

6: Serve immediately, as the sauce is quickly absorbed by the pasta.

Sausage Mac & Cheese

shell pasta
Tofurkey Italian Sausage (2)
1/2 package of Daiya Mozzarella
3 tbsp Earth Balance
seasoning (salt, pepper, Trader Joes' 21 Season Salute and/or parsley flakes)

1: Slice and saute two Italian sausages with a bit of olive oil.  Set aside.
2: Boil shell noodles until cooked al dente then strain and return to pot.
3: Add Daiya and Earth Balance and cook on medium until melted.
4: Season to your taste and enjoy!

*I made this reminiscing my mother's recipe of mac and cheese with ring baloney (eek!).