3 Easy Pasta Dishes For the Cooking Beginner

Whether you like your pasta with heavy, meaty sauces like spaghetti with meatballs or just light and creamy like carbonara, learning how to cook pasta is always a must for a new cook. It is easy to prepare and is always a good dish to serve at dinners or at parties – even kids will appreciate it!

Quick Classic Carbonara

What you need:

• 3/4 kilogram medium-sized pasta
• 4 slices bacon
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions. While pasta is cooking, cook bacon in a pan until crisp. When ready, drain bacon on paper towels and reserve about 2 tablespoons of drippings in pan. Place peas, milk, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and garlic powder in the pan and cook on low heat until mixture is smooth, well-blended and heated through. Place cooked pasta in a large bowl, pour cream cheese sauce over pasta and top with bacon.

Chicken and Tomato Angel Hair Pasta

What you need:

• 2 boneless and skinless chicken breast halves, chopped
• 4 cups diced tomatoes
• 1 cup angel hair pasta
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 3/4 cup sliced black olives
• 2 teaspoons garlic and herb seasoning blend
• Olive oil
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling lightly salted water until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Season chicken breast halves with garlic and herb seasoning blend and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in mushrooms and olives and continue cooking until chicken is golden brown. Remove chicken juices from the pan and lower heat. Add tomatoes to the mixture, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Toss pasta and chicken mixture together. Top with Parmesan cheese before serving.

Easy Cold Artichoke Pasta

What you need:

• 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup salad macaroni
• 1 cup pitted black olives
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup mushrooms, quartered
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and place on a large bowl. Add artichoke hearts, garlic, olives, tomatoes, mushrooms, parsley, oregano and basil to the bowl. Toss to blend ingredients well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Enjoy your first cooking escapades with these quick yet delicious pasta recipes!