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  3. Superfast Pasta

Superfast Pasta

By Text: Jason Horn and Cooking Light staff December 04, 2009
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Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
Including soups, stews, and more, and incorporating flavors from around the world, these dishes highlight the versatility of noodles―and none takes more than 20 minutes to cook!
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Cavatappi with Prosciutto and Parmesan

Credit: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Cavatappi with Prosciutto and Parmesan

The spiral shape and grooved texture of cavatappi lets it hold on to lots of sauce and toppings, ensuring every bite of this dish is full of cheesy, porky, garlicky flavor and extra-virgin-olive-oil richness. A Caesar salad makes an excellent partner to this dish; try our pesto-enhanced version.

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Herby Pea and Lemon Pasta Salad

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Herby Pea and Lemon Pasta Salad

This verdant pasta salad signals a fantastic start to spring with a shower of fresh herbs. Mini shell pasta and peas are a perfect pair—the pasta serves as a kind of catcher's mitt for the sweet, bright green peas. You could also use orecchiette, an ear-shaped pasta that serves the same purpose.

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Shortcut Risotto with Brussels Sprouts

Credit: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Shortcut Risotto with Brussels Sprouts

Our simple technique yields classic risotto texture in a fraction of the time. Pre-cooked brown rice simmers with a flour-thickened mixture of milk and chicken stock, boosted with a touch of cream cheese for extra richness.

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Creamy Linguine with Peas, Carrots, and Prosciutto

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Creamy Linguine with Peas, Carrots, and Prosciutto

Cream cheese makes this sauce impossibly creamy, coating the noodles with all kinds of silky goodness. The microwave technique we use for the prosciutto crisps it beautifully in less than 2 minutes, with less cleanup than stovetop or oven methods. If you’d rather skip that step, you could tear it into pieces or strips and toss with the pasta. A shower of shaved Parmesan echoes the salty notes of the prosciutto and makes a big impact with every bite; for the biggest flavor boost, go with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

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Mac and Cheeseburger

Credit: Photo: Greg Dupree
View Recipe: Mac and Cheeseburger

This budget-friendly dinner costs less than $9. Mac and cheese gets heartier, and possibly even more family-friendly, when you stir ground beef and fire-roasted tomatoes into the cheese sauce. Make sure to drain the tomatoes so the sauce doesn’t get too thin. We call for whole-grain rotini, but any short pasta shape will work here; just do try to go whole-grain for more nutrition. If you don’t have dry mustard (used here for added depth), stir in a teaspoon of Dijon. Serve with a side of green beans or broccoli tossed with browned butter, or with a salad the family enjoys (a crunchy romaine Caesar salad would be great).

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Mini Bow Ties with Bacon and Peas

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Mini Bow Ties with Bacon and Peas

Finishing your peas and carrots is exponentially more exciting when bacon is involved. In fact, almost every dish is more exciting when bacon comes to play, so feel free to swap your family's favorite veggies into this versatile pasta.

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Spaghetti with Spinach-Avocado Sauce

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Spaghetti with Spinach-Avocado Sauce

Move over, pesto: You're not the only sauce worth going green for. Pureed avocado makes this dish positively irresistible. Garnish with extra basil leaves, if desired.

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Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Penne

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Penne

If broccoli rabe is a bit bitter for your family or if you have trouble finding it, chopped broccoli would be a delicious substitute. Serve with extra lemon for more zip.

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One-Pan Pasta with Ricotta and Artichokes

Credit: Photo: Linda Pugliese
View Recipe: One-Pan Pasta with Ricotta and Artichokes

One skillet from start to finish—can't beat it on a busy weeknight. The ricotta adds rich creaminess when mixed into each portion on the plate, while fresh mozza creates that ooey-gooey baked pasta feel.

Look for fresh noodles at your grocery store's deli or cheese counter, or near the packaged cheeses.

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Turkey and Mushroom Bolognese

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Turkey and Mushroom Bolognese

A rich and hearty meat sauce gains even more robust umami body with the addition of mushrooms. Try serving over polenta as a change of pace from noodles.

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

Credit: Becky Luigart=Stayner
View Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

We love the combination of ham, cheese, and chicken in this classic dish, but not so much the frying. So we turned it into a creamy cheese sauce with the chicken and ham mixed in, to be served over egg noodles. Serve with a very simple, very fresh green salad, dressed with a nice acidic vinaigrette to counteract the pasta's richness.

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Kamut Spirals with Chicken-Artichoke Wine Sauce

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Kamut Spirals with Chicken-Artichoke Wine Sauce

You can now find pasta made from all manner of whole grains―brown rice, quinoa, spelt, and more―in most supermarkets. The cheesy sauce in this dish is designed to stand up to the heartier, nuttier flavor of whole-grain pastas, especially those made from kamut, an extra-high-protein, vitamin-rich variety of wheat. This dish has loads of heart-healthy fiber―almost a fifth of what you need in a day―but definitely doesn't taste like health food.

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Linguine with Garlicky Clams and Peas

Credit: Lee Harrelson
View Recipe: Linguine with Garlicky Clams and Peas

When pairing clams with pasta, Italians almost always choose linguine―it must be something about the pleasing contrast between the long, flat noodles, and the round, fat morsels of shellfish. You'll be amazed at the difference in taste and texture between dried and fresh pasta, which you can find in the refrigerated section of most supermarkets, so definitely give it a whirl here. A chunk of nice crusty bread really makes the meal.

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Linguine with Two-Cheese Sauce

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Linguine with Two-Cheese Sauce

This pasta will come together quickly and might just become a household favorite. Parmigiano-Reggiano and mascarpone cheese make a creamy and flavorful combination.

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Mini Farfalle with Roasted Peppers, Onions, Feta, and Mint

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Mini Farfalle with Roasted Peppers, Onions, Feta, and Mint

This light and easy pasta will pull together in a flash. Fresh basil and mint give an unbelievably fresh and delicious flavor boost that will take this recipe to the next level.

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Fettuccine with Mushrooms and Hazelnuts

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Fettuccine with Mushrooms and Hazelnuts

"Incredible flavor & texture. Simply delicious!" —PROMOGAL

Fresh pasta pairs well with a simple, barely-there sauce that will gently coat each noodle, highlighting the fresh pasta's uniquely soft, smooth texture without overwhelming it or stealing its shine. This dish makes for a satisfying meatless meal that is sure to please your taste buds.

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Sausage, Tomato, and Arugula Fettuccine

View Recipe: Sausage, Tomato, and Arugula Fettuccine

This recipe is full of bold ingredients like peppery arugula and savory sausage. A sprinkling of shaved pecorino Romano cheese gives a salty bite.

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Orecchiette with Kale, Bacon, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Orecchiette with Kale, Bacon, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Orecchiette (little ears pasta) is a classic shape that's ideal for this chunky sauce. You can also substitute short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni. If you can find mild-tasting cavolo nero (black kale), try it here.

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Pasta with Anchovy-Walnut Sauce

View Recipe: Pasta with Anchovy-Walnut Sauce

This delicious pasta is full of bright colors that mirror the bright flavors of the dish. Fresh parsley and black pepper are two simple ingredients that make all the difference in this recipe.

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Shrimp Pad Thai

Credit: Beau Gustafson
View Recipe: Shrimp Pad Thai

The name may sound exotic, but this dish is pretty much entirely made from common pantry items. If you have spaghetti, peanut butter, and teriyaki sauce on hand, you're good to go―the veggies and shrimp can be swapped out for any vegetable and protein. Want a two-course Thai meal? Add chicken, pork, or shrimp sate skewers as an appetizer.

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Pasta Fagioli Soup

Credit: Beau Gustafson
View Recipe: Pasta Fagioli Soup

Loaded up with sausage, pasta, kidney beans, and vegetables, this is more like a stew than a soup. And it comes together in about 15 minutes in one pot: Cooking the pasta in the broth saves time and adds flavor. The perfect pair for this soup would be a quick sandwich, especially something Italian and grilled, like Chicken Panini with Fig Jam.

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Linguine and Spinach with Gorgonzola Sauce

Credit: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Linguine and Spinach with Gorgonzola Sauce

If you like blue cheese, there's nothing better than this thick, creamy sauce, flavored with tons of the stuff. If you don't, try this recipe and you'll be converted anyway. There are two different types of gorgonzola available: sweet, or dolce, which is softer and milder; and aged, or naturale, which has a stronger flavor. Choose whichever most appeals to you for this dish―either works beautifully.

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Shrimp Arrabbiata

Credit: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Shrimp Arrabbiata

This spicy Italian tomato sauce is easy to adapt to create many cuisine fusions: Add some chopped canned chipotles for a smoky Southwestern version, a spoonful of sriracha and some ginger for a fiery Asian tinge, or cayenne and bell pepper for Cajun flavor. You can also replace the shrimp with chicken, pork, beef, tofu, or eggplant, and use any size or shape of pasta.

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Chicken-Peanut Chow Mein

Credit: Lee Harrelson
View Recipe: Chicken-Peanut Chow Mein

This recipe is perfect for those weeknights when you're hungry, busy, and want something tasty right now. Just pull out a package of noodles, cook whatever veggies and meat are in the fridge, toss with a five-ingredient savory sauce, and you've got something as good as Chinese takeout (and much healthier). Just about any ingredient here can be replaced with a similar pantry-staple ingredient, or simply left out, without losing much flavor.

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Fresh Tortellini with Mushrooms and Pancetta

Credit: Beau Gustafson
View Recipe: Fresh Tortellini with Mushrooms and Pancetta

Packaged tortellini, available with a variety of cheese, vegetable, and meat fillings, and an excellent quick meal by themselves, but a tiny bit of work to create a sauce elevates them into the taste stratosphere. The ten-minute mushroom, tomato, and spinach sauce with crunchy bits of pancetta is excellent with any kind of pasta, but the creaminess of cheese tortellini is its perfect match.

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Quick Bouillabaisse Pasta

Credit: Beau Gustafson
View Recipe: Quick Bouillabaisse Pasta

As bivalves like mussels and clams cook, they open up and release a marvelously flavorful liquid, which you should never, ever let go to waste. This dish uses pasta to soak it up, but you could even leave out the pasta and serve the dish as a stew, with plenty of good bread for sopping. Like its Mediterranean namesake, this recipe can use any combination of seafood you have on hand: The simple herbs-and-tomato sauce works with lobster, crawfish, salmon, tilapia, oysters, scallops, and more.

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Sesame Noodles with Chicken

Credit: Beau Gustafson
View Recipe: Sesame Noodles with Chicken

"Sesame noodles" sounds innocent enough, but the savory, spicy, peanutty sauce is seriously addictive. It's a good use for leftovers, as you can add chopped cooked chicken, pork, tofu, or pretty much any vegetable. If you're a real sesame lover, try substituting tahini (the sesame seed paste often used in hummus) for a quarter to half of the peanut butter.

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Roasted Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Roasted Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta Salad

After you taste this dish, you'll be a convert: Mayonnaise has no place in pasta salad. The flavor―from a tart mustard citrus dressing―and contrasting textures―crunchy celery, onion, and walnut, chewy pasta, tender chicken, and juicy grapes―make an easy salad that can be made ahead and travels well, either for a dinner on the go or a workday lunch. Leftover chicken, or deli ham, or turkey can take the place of the store-bought rotisserie bird.

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Pan-Grilled Snapper with Orzo Pasta Salad

Credit: Beau Gustafson
View Recipe: Pan-Grilled Snapper with Orzo Pasta Salad

Hearty, meaty snapper holds up well to grilling, and needs little seasoning beyond the charred flavor that method provides. The delicate pasta salad, with its citrus-mustard vinaigrette and fresh herbs, makes a nice contrast. For an extra-healthy meal, use whole-grain pasta (other short noodles like orecchiette or bowties work too).

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Soba Noodle Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Credit: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Soba Noodle Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Who says pasta is exclusively Italian? This fresh and healthy salad uses soba, chewy Japanese buckwheat noodles, along with edamame for soy protein and shrimp for color and and flavor. The orange-lime-sesame dressing is a great alternative to plain old vinaigrette on any salad. Can't find soba? Use a rice- or wheat-based Asian noodle like somen, lo mein, or udon.

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Thai Basil Beef with Rice Noodles

Credit: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Thai Basil Beef with Rice Noodles

True Thai varieties of basil, which have small leaves and purple stems, have an assertive licorice flavor, which pairs excellently with beef; try to find some for this dish. The rest of the flavors here―pungent fish sauce, spicy red curry, bright lime juice―are also authentically Thai, creating a delicate balance of salty, spicy, sweet, and tart. If asparagus is out of season, replace it with fresh broccoli or spinach.

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Penne with Asparagus, Spinach, and Bacon

Credit: Lee Harrelson
View Recipe: Penne with Asparagus, Spinach, and Bacon

This is a ridiculously easy dish that manages to incorporate a range of great flavors―crisp, salty bacon, fresh, sweet asparagus, savory Parmesan―in less than 10 minutes. The bacon and veggies take about as long to cook as the pasta, and you just toss everything together to serve. Swap in whatever vegetables are on hand to create a quick meal anytime.

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Pasta with Fresh Tomato-Basil Sauce

View Recipe: Pasta with Fresh Tomato-Basil Sauce

Though we paired this chunky sauce with fettuccine, it would also be nice with short pasta shapes, like penne, gemelli, or farfalle. For a more dramatic presentation, use multicolored cherry tomatoes, or a combination of cherry and pear (or teardrop-shaped) tomatoes.

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Rigatoni with Green Olive-Almond Pesto and Asiago Cheese

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Rigatoni with Green Olive-Almond Pesto and Asiago Cheese

The procedure may be the same as for regular basil pesto, but the intensely flavored olive paste in this dish is closer to a tapenade. The briny, oily olives produce a smooth "pesto," which turns into a simple sauce with the addition of a little pasta cooking liquid. (The starch in the cooking liquid also helps the sauce stick to the noodles.)

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Chorizo-Mussel Noodle Bowl

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Chorizo-Mussel Noodle Bowl

The cuisine of Spain may not be as familiar to most Americans as Mexican, Italian, and Chinese food are. What a shame, as it yields many dishes as delightful and easy as this one. With the briny ocean flavor of mussels, the smoky cured-pork essence of chorizo (use Spanish chorizo, which is less spicy and more smoky than the Mexican version), and the unmistakable Spanish taste and color of saffron, this bowl is a warm savory meal suitable for any day of the week.

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Singapore Mai Fun

Credit: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Singapore Mai Fun

As a merchant port for all of Asia, Singapore has developed a cuisine that incorporates elements from as far away as Pakistan and Japan, and everywhere in between. This dish flavors Chinese rice noodles with Indian curry powder to create a flavorful meal that's ready in a flash: You can have it on the table in about 15 minutes, including cooking the noodles and chopping the veggies.

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Cheesy Penne with Broccoli

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Cheesy Penne with Broccoli

Any short pasta can be substituted here—rotini and farfalle are good choices.

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Spring Vegetable Penne with Lemon-Cream Sauce

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Spring Vegetable Penne with Lemon-Cream Sauce

If you can find them, use shelled fresh English peas instead of frozen for this delicious, spring pasta dish.

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Shrimp Fettuccine with Spinach and Parmesan

Credit: Photo: Johnny Autry
View Recipe: Shrimp Fettuccine with Spinach and Parmesan

You can also use penne, linguine, or any other pasta shape your family prefers to create this simple, savory dish.

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Soba Noodles with Spicy Cumin Lamb

Credit: Photo: Jason Wallis
View Photo: Soba Noodles with Spicy Cumin Lamb

This aromatic, fiery main course may be just the thing to warm up a chilly fall evening.

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Grape Tomato, Olive, and Spinach Pasta

Credit: Photo: Jason Wallis
View Recipe: Grape Tomato, Olive, and Spinach Pasta

We love small, sweet grape tomatoes in this quick meatless pasta dish, but you can sub cherry tomatoes or larger tomatoes that have been seeded and diced. This tasty meal is filling enough to enjoy alone or could be served alongside one of our superfast side-dishes.

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Creamy Asparagus, Herb & Pea Pasta

Credit: Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Creamy Asparagus, Herb & Pea Pasta

This creamy springtime pasta dish is quick yet impressive. Use bacon in place of pancetta for a smoky hit.

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Linguine with Garlicky Kale and White Beans

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Linguine with Garlicky Kale and White Beans

This dish gets its flavor from loads of chopped fresh garlic. We recommend serving it with toasted baguette slices and a glass of white wine.

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Asparagus Farfalle 

Credit: Photo: Colin Clark
View Recipe: Asparagus Farfalle

This quick side dish combines mini farfalle pasta with fresh spring produce such as asparagus, leeks, and mint. Mix it up during the week and try these other farfalle variations: Peas, Pancetta, and Lemon, Pesto and Almonds, and Tomatoes, Feta, and Thyme.

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Broccoli and Pecorino Pesto Pasta

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Broccoli and Pecorino Pesto Pasta

This nut-free pesto trades traditional pine nuts and Parmesan for broccoli and nutty-tasting pecorino Romano. Anchovy fillets add meatiness, but you can skip them if you like.

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Two-Pea Pasta with Bacon Breadcrumbs

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Two-Pea Pasta with Bacon Breadcrumbs

You can use any short pasta in place of the ziti.

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Two-Cheese Penne with Chicken and Spinach

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Two-Cheese Penne with Chicken and Spinach

To balance out the meal, serve this rich and saucy pasta alongside a crisp romaine salad with bright acidic dressing.

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Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Bacon and Sage

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Bacon and Sage

Smoky bacon and salty cheese, such as pecorino Romano, provide the perfect balance to lightly sweet gnocchi.

 

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Creamy Asparagus and Hearts of Palm Pasta

Credit: Photo: Brie Passano
View Recipe: Creamy Asparagus and Hearts of Palm Pasta

Adding mozzarella cubes creates slightly melted bombs of gooey goodness.

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Pasta with Bacon, Shredded Brussels Sprouts, and Lemon Zest

Credit: Photo: Brie Passano
View Recipe: Pasta with Bacon, Shredded Brussels Sprouts, and Lemon Zest

Dicing bacon before tossing it into a pan allows for quicker cooking and even browning. Remove crisped bits with a slotted spoon to keep all of the tasty drippings in the pan.

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Penne with Ricotta and Greens

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Penne with Ricotta and Greens

This saucy vegetarian pasta takes on a subtle peppery bite from the arugula and watercress, so feel free to leave out the red pepper if feeding heat-sensitive palates.

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By Text: Jason Horn and Cooking Light staff

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    1 of 51 Cavatappi with Prosciutto and Parmesan
    2 of 51 Herby Pea and Lemon Pasta Salad
    3 of 51 Shortcut Risotto with Brussels Sprouts
    4 of 51 Creamy Linguine with Peas, Carrots, and Prosciutto
    5 of 51 Mac and Cheeseburger
    6 of 51 Mini Bow Ties with Bacon and Peas
    7 of 51 Spaghetti with Spinach-Avocado Sauce
    8 of 51 Chicken Sausage and Broccoli Rabe Penne
    9 of 51 One-Pan Pasta with Ricotta and Artichokes
    10 of 51 Turkey and Mushroom Bolognese
    11 of 51 Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
    12 of 51 Kamut Spirals with Chicken-Artichoke Wine Sauce
    13 of 51 Linguine with Garlicky Clams and Peas
    14 of 51 Linguine with Two-Cheese Sauce
    15 of 51 Mini Farfalle with Roasted Peppers, Onions, Feta, and Mint
    16 of 51 Fettuccine with Mushrooms and Hazelnuts
    17 of 51 Sausage, Tomato, and Arugula Fettuccine
    18 of 51 Orecchiette with Kale, Bacon, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
    19 of 51 Pasta with Anchovy-Walnut Sauce
    20 of 51 Shrimp Pad Thai
    21 of 51 Pasta Fagioli Soup
    22 of 51 Linguine and Spinach with Gorgonzola Sauce
    23 of 51 Shrimp Arrabbiata
    24 of 51 Chicken-Peanut Chow Mein
    25 of 51 Fresh Tortellini with Mushrooms and Pancetta
    26 of 51 Quick Bouillabaisse Pasta
    27 of 51 Sesame Noodles with Chicken
    28 of 51 Roasted Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta Salad
    29 of 51 Pan-Grilled Snapper with Orzo Pasta Salad
    30 of 51 Soba Noodle Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
    31 of 51 Thai Basil Beef with Rice Noodles
    32 of 51 Penne with Asparagus, Spinach, and Bacon
    33 of 51 Pasta with Fresh Tomato-Basil Sauce
    34 of 51 Rigatoni with Green Olive-Almond Pesto and Asiago Cheese
    35 of 51 Chorizo-Mussel Noodle Bowl
    36 of 51 Singapore Mai Fun
    37 of 51 Cheesy Penne with Broccoli
    38 of 51 Spring Vegetable Penne with Lemon-Cream Sauce
    39 of 51 Shrimp Fettuccine with Spinach and Parmesan
    40 of 51 Soba Noodles with Spicy Cumin Lamb
    41 of 51 Grape Tomato, Olive, and Spinach Pasta
    42 of 51 Creamy Asparagus, Herb & Pea Pasta
    43 of 51 Linguine with Garlicky Kale and White Beans
    44 of 51 Asparagus Farfalle 
    45 of 51 Broccoli and Pecorino Pesto Pasta
    46 of 51 Two-Pea Pasta with Bacon Breadcrumbs
    47 of 51 Two-Cheese Penne with Chicken and Spinach
    48 of 51 Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Bacon and Sage
    49 of 51 Creamy Asparagus and Hearts of Palm Pasta
    50 of 51 Pasta with Bacon, Shredded Brussels Sprouts, and Lemon Zest
    51 of 51 Penne with Ricotta and Greens

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