No-Fuss, No-Bake Pasta Dishes

It's pasta night for us here in our humble abode.

Tonight I was asked by my 4-year-old little boss to cook pasta for dinner. For most moms, that means spaghetti for the whole family. Well, in my case, everyone but my preschooler. You see, she HATES tomato-based dishes. She thinks it's gross for no reason at all. So when she asks for pasta, in our home, that means spaghetti or puttanesca for everyone, and for her most probably macaroni and cheese. She'd only agree to a one-pasta-dish night if it's carbonara or pasta Alfredo night. Yes, she obviously like pasta in white sauce.

So yes, I have decided to make her fave, macaroni and cheese, as well as her father's favorite pasta dish, meaty baked mac in spaghetti sauce. This has been a staple in our pantry since the beginning of time--well, our marriage. Haha! I've always have this thing, where I always stock up on cheese, butter, herbs, spaghetti (and tomato) sauce, and at least a couple boxes of pasta. It's always, ALWAYS, on my list. Sometimes you never know when someone shows up to visit, so it's always a good thing to have those around in case of surprise guests. :)

Anyhoos, I would like to share with you my super easy, stove-top (yep, no-bake!) macaroni and cheese, as well as my baked macaroni in spaghetti sauce recipe.


Macaroni and Cheese:

100 grams pasta
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cream cheese
1/3 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup fresh milk
salt and pepper to taste
ham (optional)

Easy peasy, mac and ch-easy!

Procedure:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Tonight, I chose--well, my daughter, chose penne. It was a tough call amongst our top three contenders: fusilli, penne and the shell macaroni. Once al dente or cooked, drain the pasta.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt butter under medium heat. Stir in the flour, and slowly add half of the milk. Cook and stir until it boils a bit.
3. Add the cream cheese. Mix until it's almost melted. Stir in the cheddar and parmesan.
4. Stir the other half of the milk. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
5. Place the pasta in a serving bowl. Pour the cheese sauce. Top with cooked ham if desired.


Now, on to my baked mac!

You will need the following:

200 grams pasta
1/8 kilogram ground pork (or beef)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium-sized onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup button mushrooms, sliced
1 small bell pepper, diced
200g tomato sauce
400g spaghetti sauce
salt and pepper
grated cheese for topping OR if available, leftover mac and cheese sauce

Pop it in the oven for about 4-6 mins and
you'll get that yummy baked mac look.

Procedure:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
2. Sauté onions, garlic and ground meat in olive oil under medium heat. I usually sauté the onions before the garlic to keep them from burning.
3. Once the meat is golden brown, stir in the mushrooms and the bell pepper.
4. Pour tomato and spaghetti sauce, add some of the pasta water (or just plain drinking water if you have already drained the pasta) and let it simmer.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste. If desired, you can also add a tablespoon or two of sugar.
6. Once done, pour sauce onto cooked pasta. Top with grated cheese or leftover mac and cheese sauce.

7. Bake in a pre-heated oven (350 degrees) for 15-20 minutes.

No oven?
***If you wish to have that "baked" pasta feel on your dish, pop it on the toaster for about 4-6 minutes, or until the on top starts to melt and become golden brown.

Super easy, right?

Happy eating! :)