130+ Easy Pasta Recipes - Budget Bytes https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/pasta/ Delicious Recipes Designed for Small Budgets Mon, 02 Sep 2024 22:28:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cropped-cropped-favicon-32x32.png 130+ Easy Pasta Recipes - Budget Bytes https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/pasta/ 32 32 Cheese Tortellini And Sausage Skillet https://www.budgetbytes.com/cheese-tortellini-and-sausage-skillet/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/cheese-tortellini-and-sausage-skillet/#comments Wed, 14 Aug 2024 13:30:00 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=97903 This one-pot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage Skillet is hearty and packed with flavor. A quick & easy one skillet meal? Count me in!

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Well school is back in session for my kiddos and I’m back on the quick & easy weeknight meals train. This one pot cheese tortellini and sausage skillet was a huge hit with my family and now they have requested it two weeks in a row! It’s full of cheese tortellini pasta, Italian sausage, lots of herbs and spices, and a super flavorful sauce. A full meal all in one pan. Dinner doesn’t get any better than this!

Overhead view of cheese tortellini and sausage skillet with garlic bread and parsley on the side.

What You’ll Need

Here are the ingredients that you’ll need to make this hearty tortellini and sausage recipe:

  • Italian Sausage: I chose mild Italian sausage for this recipe as it’s already pre-seasoned with lots of herbs and spices. You can also use ground beef or ground turkey, however you may need to add a little more seasoning if you do choose ground beef or turkey.
  • Onion and Garlic: Diced onion and garlic adds lots of aromatics and flavor to this dish.
  • Cheese Tortellini: I like using refrigerated tortellini because you can quickly cook it in the sauce, but you can also use frozen tortellini if you prefer. You may need to boil the frozen tortellini first according to the package instructions. 
  • Marinara Sauce: Marinara helps create the sauce for this recipe. It includes crushed tomatoes and lots of extra herbs and spices.
  • Chicken Broth: The cheese tortellini cooks in the chicken broth and marinara sauce, making this a one pot meal!
  • Spinach: A couple handfuls of spinach adds color and extra vegetables to the dish.
  • Seasoning: A simple mix of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano add a little more flavor to the jarred marinara sauce and the rest of the dish.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: And I topped everything off with some gooey mozzarella cheese because…why not?!

Budget Saving Tips!

  1. You can often find refrigerated cheese tortellini in two sizes, a small 9-10oz. bag and a larger 20oz. family size bag. Most of the time the family size is the better deal and will save you some money. So grab the bigger bag! You’ll only need 10oz. of tortellini for this recipe and you can freeze the rest and save for later.🙌
  2. If you happen to have a can of tomatoes in your pantry, you can switch out the marinara sauce for one 14oz. can of diced tomatoes.
  3. And if you really want to save even more money, use just ½ lb. of Italian sausage for this recipe and freeze the rest for later. This dish will still be very filling and you can cook the rest of the sausage with the rest of the cheese tortellini that you saved. You may also still have half a jar of marinara, some spinach, and more mozzarella cheese leftover. Now look at what we just did. We’ve easily just created another meal! #winning

Serving Suggestions & Variations

  • This dish is perfect to serve with a side of crusty garlic bread and a simple side salad or Caesar salad.
  • Wanna make it creamy? Add about ½ cup of heavy cream at the same time as the chicken broth for a creamy tortellini skillet meal.
  • And if you want to add some spice, add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes at the end for a little kick!

Storing Leftovers

Got leftovers? You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The sauce mixture will thicken a little bit with time, but you can easily reheat it in the microwave until warmed through for a delicious lunch or dinner.

Overhead view of cheese tortellini and sausage on a plate with garlic bread, fork, and napkin on the side.
Overhead view of cheese tortellini and sausage skillet with garlic bread and parsley on the side.
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Cheese Tortellini And Sausage Skillet

This one-pot Cheese Tortellini and Sausage Skillet is hearty and packed with flavor. A quick & easy one skillet meal? Count me in!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Total Cost $12.56 recipe / $3.14 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 730kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil $0.05
  • 1 lb. Italian sausage $4.99
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced $0.42
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced $0.16
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce $1.50
  • 1 cup chicken broth $0.17
  • 10 oz. refrigerated cheese tortellini $3.75
  • 2 cups spinach $0.76
  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese $0.62

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Brown the Italian sausage.
  • Once the sausage has browned, add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Continue to sauté over medium heat until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
  • Next add the salt, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, marinara sauce, and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir to combine.
  • Bring the skillet up to a simmer and add the cheese tortellini. Stir the tortellini into the sauce and cook for 5-6 minutes until the tortellini is tender.
  • Add the spinach to the skillet and stir to combine, allowing the heat to wilt the spinach.
  • Now top the skillet with the shredded mozzarella cheese and allow the heat to melt the cheese.
  • Serve hot with fresh garlic bread and some freshly cracked black pepper or red pepper flakes on top. Enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 730kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 49g | Sodium: 2182mg | Fiber: 5g
Side close up view of cheese tortellini and sausage skillet with a fork lifting some out.

How to Make Cheese Tortellini And Sausage Skillet – Step by Step Photos

Italian sausage being cooked in a skillet.

Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat and add 1 Tbsp oil. Brown 1 lb. Italian sausage.

Onion and garlic added to sausage in a skillet.

Once the sausage has browned, add 1 diced yellow onion and 2 minced garlic to the skillet. Continue to sauté over medium heat until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.

Marinara sauce, spices, and chicken broth added to a skillet.

Next add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper, 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce, and 1 cup chicken broth to the skillet. Stir to combine.

Cheese tortellini pasta added to sausage mixture in a skillet.

Bring the skillet up to a simmer and add 10 oz. refrigerated cheese tortellini. Stir the tortellini into the sauce and cook for 5-6 minutes until the tortellini is tender.

Spinach added to tortellini and sausage mixture in a skillet.

Add 2 cups spinach to the skillet and stir to combine, allowing the heat to wilt the spinach.

Mozzarella cheese added on top of tortellini and sausage skillet.

Now top the skillet with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.

Cooked tortellini and sausage skillet.

Allow the heat from the skillet to melt the cheese.

Overhead view of cheese tortellini and sausage on a plate with garlic bread, fork, and napkin on the side.

Serve hot with fresh garlic bread and some freshly cracked black pepper on top. Now get ready to enjoy a super hearty and delicious dinner meal!

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Tuscan Orzo https://www.budgetbytes.com/tuscan-orzo/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/tuscan-orzo/#comments Sat, 08 Jun 2024 13:30:00 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=92980 Tuscan orzo is a one-pot meal made in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients. It's creamy, cozy comfort food at its best.

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Pasta, veggies, and an addictively creamy sauce? Say no more! I’m all about quick one-pot weeknight meals these days; juggling work, a toddler, and a barnyard full of animals to care for (I see you, busy moms!). This Tuscan Orzo recipe gets the job done! Made in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients, this big-batch pasta dish will feed the whole family. Creamy, tomatoey pasta with wilty spinach is cozy comfort food at its best.

overhead view of tuscan orzo in a pan.

What Is Tuscan Orzo?

Tuscan orzo is a dish that is made in the Tuscan tradition of simple, inexpensive meals that can easily be made in large amounts. Orzo pasta is extra delicious in cooked in a creamy tomatoey broth until it is rich, thick, and super flavorful!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make Tuscan orzo:

  • Olive Oil: Helps the onions and garlic cook without burning.
  • Butter: Adds richness to the dish.
  • Onion: Adds a touch of sweet and earthy flavor.
  • Garlic: Enhances the savory and earthy flavors of the dish.
  • Italian Seasoning: Adds that classic Italian flavor.
  • Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a pop of acidity that balances and brightens this creamy dish.
  • Dijon Mustard: Has a spicy, slightly bitter flavor that enhances the savory elements of this dish.
  • Petite Diced Tomatoes: You can choose to strain your canned tomatoes and make up for the ½ cup of liquid (give or take) by adding a little more vegetable broth. I love the tomatoey flavor (and extra vitamin C!), so I left the tomato juice in.
  • Orzo Pasta: Despite its rice-like shape, this is actually a type of pasta. It gives this dish a texture similar to risotto but in much less time.
  • Vegetable Broth: I used vegetable bouillon to keep this budget-friendly.
  • Heavy Cream: Makes this dish super rich and creamy.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds savory umami flavor.
  • Baby Spinach: A great way to sneak in some greens and adds a mellow vegetal flavor.
  • Parsley: Adds a pop of freshness and color.
  • Salt and Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor of the dish.

What Else Can I Add?

This is a pretty hefty dish all by itself and makes a great vegetarian main, but you can add protein to it if you like. Garlic Herb Baked Chicken Breast would make an excellent addition if you have meat-eaters in the fam. Personally, I love adding chopped kalamata olives, balsamic roasted mushrooms, and extra veggies. Substituting the dairy in this recipe is so easy these days, too. So, if you’re vegan, you can easily tweak it to your liking using plant-based milks and cheeses!

Tips and Notes

  • Make sure the orzo simmers and doesn’t boil. The liquid will evaporate too quickly if it’s left to boil, leading to undercooked orzo.
  • A lot of Tuscan orzo recipes call for more expensive sundried tomatoes, but I substituted with canned petite diced tomatoes and I think it came out even better. Sometimes, I find sundried tomatoes to be extra salty, so this version really highlights all of the ingredients without being overly salty.
  • Bring the cream to room temperature before using to ensure it doesn’t curdle from the temperature shock when you add it to the hot orzo.
  • Half-and-half would work in place of the cream, but I do not recommend using milk, as the orzo won’t be as rich or creamy. You can make this recipe vegan by substituting plant-based cream and vegan cheese… it’s so easy to find easy substitutions these days.
  • If the orzo seems watery at the end of cooking, you can simmer it for a bit longer. It will continue to absorb the liquid and thicken.
side view of tuscan orzo on a white plate.
overhead view of tuscan orzo in a pan.
Print

Tuscan Orzo

Tuscan orzo is a one-pot meal made in just 30 minutes with simple ingredients. It's creamy, cozy comfort food at its best.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Total Cost ($7.54 recipe / $1.88 serving)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 (1.5 cups per serving)
Calories 390kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.40
  • 2 Tbsp butter $0.27
  • 1/2 medium onion, chopped $0.30
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced $0.20
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning $0.10
  • 1 14.5oz. can roasted petite diced tomatoes $0.89
  • 1 tsp lemon juice $0.02
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard $0.02
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta $1.65
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth $0.12
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream, room temperature $0.84
  • 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan $1.48
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach, packed $1.10
  • 2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley $0.10
  • Salt & pepper to taste $0.05

Instructions

  • Add the oil, butter, and onion to a pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, canned tomatoes, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and orzo. Stir often, cooking for 3 minutes.
  • Add the vegetable broth and room temperature cream. Once it starts to bubble, turn the heat down to medium-low and continue cooking for 10 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally so the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. It should steadily simmer but not boil. You don’t want all of the liquid to evaporate.
  • Take the pot off the heat and stir in the parmesan, spinach, and parsley. Stir again and cover the pot for a few minutes until it has thickened up to your liking.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 390kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 24g | Sodium: 630mg | Fiber: 2g
stirring tuscan orzo in a pan with a wooden spoon.

how to make Tuscan Orzo – step by step photos

sauteed onions in a pan.

Add 1 Tbsp olive oil, 2 Tbsp butter, and 1/2 of a medium chopped onion to a pot over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes.

tomatoes and orzo added to sauteed onions in a pan.

Add 4 minced cloves garlic, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, a 14.5-oz. can of roasted petite diced tomatoes, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, and 1 cup of orzo. Stir often, cooking for 3 minutes.

cream poured over tomatoey orzo in a pan.

Add 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth and 1/2 cup room temperature heavy cream. Once it starts to bubble, turn the heat down to medium-low and continue cooking for 10 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally so the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. It should steadily simmer but not boil. You don’t want all of the liquid to evaporate.

parsley, spinach , and cheese added to creamy tuscan orzo in a pan.

Take the pot off the heat, and stir in 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan, 1 cup baby spinach, and 2 Tbsp minced parsley. Stir again and cover the pot for a few minutes until it has thickened up to your liking.

creamy tuscan orzo in a pan.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

overhead view of a serving of tuscan orzo on a white plate.

This one-pot Tuscan orzo is so simple and delicious!

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Orzo Pasta Salad https://www.budgetbytes.com/orzo-pasta-salad/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/orzo-pasta-salad/#comments Mon, 27 May 2024 13:30:00 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=94128 This light & fresh Orzo Pasta Salad is full of colorful veggies and a delicious homemade dressing. Perfect for BBQs or meal prep it for the week!

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Every now and then I come across a recipe at a restaurant that I absolutely love, then I spend the next few moments trying to guess what’s in it so I can recreate it at home…for a lot less! Well today, I’m sharing one of those recipes! This Orzo Pasta Salad is inspired by a dish at one of my favorite restaurants, J. Alexander’s, and it’s now going into my pasta salads rotation!🙌 It includes fresh veggies like bell peppers, tomatoes and onion, along with tart & slightly sweet dried cranberries, and the best homemade vinaigrette dressing to bring it all together. This pasta salad recipe will definitely become a new favorite!

Overhead view of Orzo Pasta Salad in a white serving bowl with wood serving spoons on the side.

Ingredients For Orzo Pasta Salad

The restaurant version of this recipe includes wild rice, but I decided to leave the rice out because for one…wild rice can be expensive, and two…wild rice takes quite a bit of time to cook. But I absolutely love this version instead! So here’s everything you need to make this simple orzo pasta salad recipe:

  • Orzo: Orzo is a small shaped pasta that looks similar to rice. It cooks quickly and is popular in soups and salads just like this one. If you don’t have access to orzo pasta, you can certainly substitute it for a different small-shaped pasta instead.
  • Vegetables: A combination of veggies like bell peppers, roma tomatoes, red onion and sweet corn, adds lots of color, flavor, and texture. I made sure to dice the vegetables small so they match the proportion size of the rest of the ingredients.
  • Dried Cranberries: One of the things I love most about this pasta salad is the addition of the dried cranberries. It adds a tart & slightly sweet flavor and compliments the sweet corn and dressing perfectly!
  • Vinaigrette Dressing: To keep things light and fresh, I opted for a homemade vinaigrette dressing made with simple pantry ingredients and sweetened with a bit of honey. It’s so good!!

Variations & Recipe Tips!

  1. Switch it up! If you’re looking to change up the flavor profile, then try adding some Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and greek salad dressing, for a Mediterranean-inspired orzo pasta salad!
  2. Wanna make it more filling? Add some grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, or a can of chickpeas (drained & rinsed). 
  3. Cool down the pasta. Don’t forget to give the cooked pasta and corn a quick rinse under cool water to stop the cooking process and cool off the pasta before adding the veggies, herbs and cheese.

Serving Suggestions

This light and summery orzo pasta salad is perfect for BBQs and cookouts! Add it to your summer menu and enjoy it with some turkey burgers or grilled salmon. It’s also great with leaner proteins like Baked Cod, Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts, or even some Garlic Butter Shrimp on the side.

Side view of orzo pasta salad in a white serving bowl.
Overhead view of Orzo Pasta Salad in a white serving bowl with wood serving spoons on the side.
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Orzo Pasta Salad

This light & fresh Orzo Pasta Salad is full of colorful veggies and a delicious homemade dressing. Perfect for BBQs or meal prep it for the week!
Course Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Total Cost $9.99 recipe / $1.24 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 (1 cup each)
Calories 265kcal

Ingredients

Vinaigrette Dressing

  • 1/3 cup olive oil $0.96
  • 3 Tbsp white wine vinegar $0.39
  • 1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard $0.04
  • 1 clove garlic, minced $0.08
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1 Tbsp honey $0.18

Pasta Salad

  • 1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta $1.49
  • 1 cup frozen corn $0.41
  • 1 red bell pepper $1.59
  • 1 yellow bell pepper $1.59
  • 2 roma tomatoes $0.78
  • 1/2 red onion $0.40
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries $1.70
  • 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley $0.29
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02

Instructions

  • Start by making the vinaigrette dressing. In a medium bowl whisk together the olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, basil, salt and honey until smooth. Set the vinaigrette aside.
  • Cook the orzo pasta according to the package directions. Add the frozen corn to the boiling water during the last 3 minutes of the pasta cook time.  Drain the pasta and corn in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water to cool off the pasta.
  • While the pasta is cooking, prepare the veggies. Dice the bell peppers and tomatoes, finely dice the red onion, measure out the dried cranberries, and chop the parsley.
  • Transfer the pasta and corn to a large bowl. Add the chopped vegetables, chopped parsley and dried cranberries.
  • Give the vinaigrette dressing another stir. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and season with 1/4 tsp salt. Toss the salad ingredients together until everything is evenly coated in the dressing. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 265kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 163mg | Fiber: 3g
Overhead view of two white bowls of orzo pasta salad.

How to Make Orzo Pasta Salad – Step by Step Photos

Vinaigrette dressing for orzo pasta salad.

Start by making the vinaigrette dressing. In a medium bowl whisk together 1/3 cup olive oil, 3 Tbsp white wine vinegar, 1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp basil, 1/4 tsp salt and 1 Tbsp honey until smooth. Set the vinaigrette aside.

Cooked orzo and corn drained in a colander.

Cook 1 1/2 cups of orzo pasta according to the package directions. Add 1 cup frozen corn to the boiling water during the last 3 minutes of the pasta cook time.  Drain the pasta and corn in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water to cool off the pasta.

Chopped vegetables on a cutting board.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the veggies. Dice 1 red bell pepper, 1 yellow bell pepper, 2 roma tomatoes, finely dice 1/2 red onion, measure out 3/4 cups dried cranberries, and chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley. (Frozen corn is pictured on the cutting board, but is added in the previous step with the boiling pasta).

Cooked orzo, corn, and chopped vegetables in a large bowl with vinaigrette dressing being poured on top.

Transfer the cooked pasta and corn to a large bowl. Add the chopped vegetables, chopped parsley and dried cranberries. Give the vinaigrette dressing another stir. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad.

Orzo pasta salad ingredients mixed together in a large bowl.

Toss the salad ingredients together until everything is evenly coated in the dressing. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to enjoy!

Overhead view of orzo pasta salad in a large white serving bowl with wooden serving spoons on the side.

Enjoy this light, fresh and summery orzo pasta salad at your next BBQ, cookout or family gathering! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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Pasta Salad https://www.budgetbytes.com/pasta-salad/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/pasta-salad/#comments Wed, 22 May 2024 13:30:00 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=94381 This easy Pasta Salad is full of fresh flavors and tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. It will be the star at your next BBQ or summer cookout!

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Friends, this is the pasta salad recipe that I grew up on! A simple mix of cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and pasta, all tossed together in a zesty and tangy Italian dressing. It’s a classic! And it was always everyone’s favorite side dish at summer BBQs and cookouts! It’s fresh, vibrant, and it definitely feeds a crowd. There are also lots of ways you can customize this easy pasta salad to fit within your budget and make it your own. I’m sharing a basic version in today’s post, but I’ll also share lots of fun ways to switch things up!

Overhead view of pasta salad in a large white serving bowl with wood serving utensils on the side.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to make this traditional pasta salad recipe:

  • Pasta: I opted for rotini pasta because it’s easy to grab with a fork and it’s little crevices are perfect for holding the salad dressing. With that being said, my mom always made this recipe with spaghetti pasta…and it was always a hit! So use your favorite pasta or whatever you have on hand. Bowtie pasta also works well!
  • Vegetables: A variety of fresh vegetables like bell peppers, cucumber, onion and tomatoes adds lots of color, flavor, and texture! I chose red and orange bell peppers for lots of color, but feel free to use whichever color you prefer.
  • Salad Dressing: Tangy Italian dressing is a classic with this recipe and brings the entire salad together. I’ll list a couple more options below.
  • Cheese: Just a little bit of feta cheese adds a nice creamy-salty flavor to the salad.
  • Fresh Herbs: Fresh chopped parsley tops off this veggie-packed pasta salad!

Pasta Salad Dressing

Since I usually make this recipe for potlucks & BBQs, along with a few other dishes, I find it a lot easier to buy bottled Italian dressing simply for convenience. But if you have a well stocked pantry, you can totally make your own vinaigrette dressing to add to this pasta salad. You can also try our homemade Italian dressing, a greek vinaigrette, or a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

What Else Can I Add?

Salad Seasoning: McCormick salad seasoning is another popular ingredient in pasta salads and something that I often use when making this recipe. I was tempted to add it this time until I saw the current price at my local store. It’s definitely a splurge! I also find myself not using the entire bottle before it expires. But I’m happy to report this version tastes just as good without the added seasoning mix. But if you do have the extra coins, add 2 Tbsp of salad seasoning to your pasta salad for even more flavor!!

Other Ingredients: What I love most about pasta salads is that they’re super easy to customize. Try swapping out some of the veggies or adding any of these options: 

  • Broccoli florets, roughly chopped
  • Kalamata olives
  • Roasted red peppers
  • Zucchini
  • Salami
  • Mozzarella cubes or pearls
  • Parmesan cheese

Storing Leftovers

This pasta salad recipe stores very well in the refrigerator. It often tastes better the next day after the salad has had plenty of time to marinate in the dressing. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Side view of pasta salad in a white serving bowl.
Overhead view of pasta salad in a large white serving bowl with wood serving utensils on the side.
Print

Pasta Salad

This easy Pasta Salad is full of fresh flavors and tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. It will be the star at your next BBQ or summer cookout!
Course Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Total Cost $13.44 recipe / $1.34 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings 10 (1.5 cups each)
Calories 307kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. rotini pasta $1.25
  • 1 english cucumber $1.49
  • 1 red bell pepper $1.59
  • 1 orange bell pepper $1.59
  • 10 oz. grape tomatoes $2.49
  • 1/2 red onion $0.37
  • 2 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley $0.29
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese $1.83
  • 16 oz. bottled zesty Italian dressing $2.50
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water to cool off the pasta. Drain well.
  • While the pasta is cooking, prepare the veggies. Slice the cucumber into half moons, chop the bell peppers, slice the tomatoes in half, thinly slice the red onion, and chop the parsley. Set the vegetables and chopped parsley aside.
  • Once the pasta has drained, transfer it to a large bowl. Add the chopped vegetables, chopped parsley and feta cheese.
  • Pour the dressing over the pasta salad. Toss the salad ingredients together until everything is evenly coated in the dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste, I added about ¼ tsp of salt and ¼ tsp ground black pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.*

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*I prefer to let the pasta salad refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours prior to serving so all the flavors can marry together. If you are making this ahead of time, wait to add the feta cheese until right before serving.
**I portioned this into generous servings, but this recipe can definitely feed a lot more people if you’re serving this with other side dishes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 307kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 558mg | Fiber: 3g
Overhead view of a serving of pasta salad on a plate with a fork on the side.

How to Make Pasta Salad – Step by Step Photos

Cooked and drained rotini pasta in a colander.

Cook 1 lb. of rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water to cool off the pasta. Drain well.

Chopped pasta salad vegetable ingredients on a cutting board.

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the veggies. Slice 1 cucumber into half moons, chop 1 red bell pepper and 1 orange bell pepper, slice 10 oz. of grape tomatoes in half, thinly slice 1/2 red onion, and chop 2 Tbsp of fresh parsley. Set the vegetables and herbs aside.

Pasta salad ingredients added to a large white serving bowl.

Once the pasta has drained, transfer it to a large bowl. Add the chopped vegetables, chopped parsley and 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese.

Italian dressing being poured over pasta salad.

Pour 16 oz. of zesty Italian dressing over the pasta salad. Sometimes I like to reserve 1/4 cup of the dressing to add right before I serve it.

Pasta salad being tossed and mixed together with serving utensils.

Toss the salad ingredients together until everything is evenly coated in the dressing. Add salt and pepper to taste, I added about ¼ tsp of salt and ¼ tsp ground black pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat. I prefer to let it refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours prior to serving so all the flavors can marry together. If you are making this ahead of time, wait to add the feta cheese until right before serving.

Overhead view of pasta salad in a large white serving bowl with wood serving utensils on the side.

Enjoy this tasty pasta salad recipe at your next summer BBQ, potluck, or family gathering!

Close up view of pasta salad in a white serving bowl.

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Buffalo Chicken Pasta https://www.budgetbytes.com/buffalo-chicken-pasta/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/buffalo-chicken-pasta/#comments Wed, 10 Apr 2024 13:47:46 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=93198 This Buffalo Chicken Pasta recipe is the perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors. It's a must-try for spicy food lovers.

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One thing I’ve learned over the years is that most dips can also double as an amazing pasta sauce, and this Buffalo Chicken Pasta is a great example. I took all of the creamy, tangy, spicy goodness of buffalo chicken dip and made it into a deliciously cheesy one-pot pasta. So gather around all of my spicy food friends, you’re going to want to make this easy, creamy, and addictive Buffalo Chicken Pasta ASAP!

Close up overhead view of a bowl full of buffalo chicken pasta with a fork.

Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Pasta

This cheesy buffalo chicken pasta starts with all of the same ingredients as buffalo chicken dip, then we add a few more to make it a little saucier and give the dish just a touch more flavor and texture. Here’s what you’ll need to make buffalo chicken pasta:

  • Chicken Breast: We use one boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe and stretch it across four servings to keep things budget-friendly. You can use diced boneless, skinless chicken thighs for an even less expensive option. Or, you can add leftover chopped or shredded cooked rotisserie chicken to the pasta at the end. If using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, just add the remaining spices to the sauce.
  • Seasoning: We seasoned the chicken breast with garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt for extra flavor.
  • Butter: Butter balances the heat and acidity of the hot sauce and helps give this dish that classic buffalo sauce flavor.
  • Chicken Broth: In true one-pot pasta style, the pasta is cooked in chicken broth for maximum flavor.
  • Pasta: We used a classic penne pasta for this dish, but you could also use bowtie, rotini, or any short pasta shape.
  • Cheese: A combination of cream cheese and Monterey jack cheese keeps the sauce extra creamy and smooth without the need for a flour and butter roux.
  • Hot Sauce: Franks Red Hot Sauce is the classic sauce used for any “Buffalo” flavored dish, but any vinegar-based cayenne hot sauce will also be delicious.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire adds just the right of umami and sweetness to the buffalo sauce, preventing it from having a flat flavor.
  • Petite Diced Tomatoes: To give this pasta more texture and flavor, we added a can of petite diced tomatoes.
  • Green Onion: We topped this pasta with sliced green onion for a little dose of savory freshness at the end.

What Else Can I Add?

If you have a little extra wiggle room in your budget, you can add even more goodies to this buffalo chicken pasta to make it ✨extra✨. Try topping the pasta with crumbled blue cheese, or stirring in some bacon crumbles. If you love a crunchy topping, try crushing some butter crackers or tortilla chips and sprinkling them on top of the pasta just before serving. And while it is totally unconventional, I think some small broccoli florets would be awesome in this, kind of like broccoli mac and cheese!

What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Pasta

This buffalo chicken pasta is pretty rich, so you’re going to want something light and refreshing to serve on the side. You can opt for a super Simple Side Salad, a classic Caesar Salad, or maybe a simple Cucumber Tomato Salad. Or just go with the theme and serve up some carrot and celery sticks with blue cheese dressing for dipping!

Tips for Making One Pot Pasta

One-pot pasta can be tricky for some because the pasta is cooked in a much smaller amount of liquid than traditional pasta cooking methods. Here are a few tips to make sure your one-pot pasta cooks evenly and to the right texture:

  • Use heavy, thick-bottomed cookware to help the ingredients heat evenly.
  • Use a burner that is close in diameter to the bottom of your pot to ensure even heating.
  • The broth does not need to fully cover the pasta for it to cook, so resist the urge to add more water or broth in the beginning. Steam will help the pasta above the water line to cook, and the pasta will be stirred to ensure it all has contact with the liquid.
  • Make sure the liquid is simmering the whole time the pasta is cooking. If the heat is too low, or the liquid is only simmering in the center of the pot, the pasta will cook unevenly and get gummy.
  • Stir the pot occasionally to prevent sticking and help everything cook evenly.
  • Use your judgment. If the pasta looks close to being cooked through, but there is too much liquid left in the skillet, let it finish simmering with the lid off. If the liquid is gone but your pasta is still not tender, add a splash of more water or broth and continue to simmer until tender.
Overhead view of a pan full of buffalo chicken pasta with a striped napkin on the side.
Overhead view of a bowl full of buffalo chicken pasta.
Print

Buffalo Chicken Pasta

This Buffalo Chicken Pasta recipe is the perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors. It's a must-try for spicy food lovers.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Total Cost $8.13 recipe / $2.03 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 545kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast (about ⅔ lb.) $3.33
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil $0.04
  • 2 Tbsp butter $0.26
  • 8 oz. penne pasta $0.67
  • 1 15oz. can petite diced tomatoes $1.00
  • 1.5 cups chicken broth $0.28
  • 4 oz. cream cheese $1.10
  • 1/4 cup hot sauce $0.52
  • 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce $0.02
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese $0.58
  • 2 green onions, sliced (optional) $0.16

Instructions

  • Cut the chicken into ½-¾ inch pieces. Combine the garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt, then sprinkle it over the chicken pieces. Toss the chicken in the spices until everything is well coated.
  • Heat the cooking oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Once hot, add the chicken and allow tge chicken to brown on all sides. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this point.
  • Add the uncooked pasta, canned diced tomatoes (with the liquid), and the chicken broth to the skillet with the chicken. Stir to dissolve all of the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet.
  • Place a lid on the pot and allow the broth to come up to a strong simmer. The broth will not fully cover the pasta, but that is okay. Once the broth is simmering, briefly stir the pasta, replace the lid, then turn the heat down to medium-low.
  • Allow the pasta to simmer in the broth for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring once or twice throughout, and always replacing the lid after stirring.
  • Once the pasta is tender and only a small amount of thickened liquid remains in the skillet, cut the cream cheese into chunks and add it to the past along with the butter, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir and cook over medium-low heat until the cream cheese has fully melted into the pasta.
  • Add the shredded Monterey jack cheese and stir until melted into the sauce. Top with sliced green onions, then serve hot.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 545kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 26g | Sodium: 1193mg | Fiber: 2g

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Pasta – Step by Step Photos

diced chicken breast with seasoning being sprinkled on top.

Dice one boneless, skinless chicken breast (about ⅔ lb.) into small ½-¾ inch pieces. Combine ½ tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, and ¼ tsp salt, then sprinkle it over the chicken. Toss the chicken until it is evenly coated in spices.

Browned chicken pieces in a skillet.

Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high until very hot. Once hot, add the chicken and allow it to brown on all sides. The chicken does not need to cook through here, just let it brown on the outside.

Tomatoes, pasta, and broth added to the skillet.

Add 8 oz of uncooked pasta, one 15oz. can of petite diced tomatoes (with the liquid), and 1.5 cups of chicken broth to the skillet with the chicken.

Uncooked pasta in the skillet with the chicken and tomatoes.

Stir everything well, making sure to dissolve all the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet. The broth will not fully cover the pasta, but that’s okay. Do not add extra liquid at this point.

Cooked pasta in the skillet, a spatula pulling the pasta to the side to show the thickened sauce.

Place a lid on the pot and allow the broth to come up to a strong simmer. Once simmering, give the pasta a quick stir to loosen it from the bottom, replace the lid, then turn the heat down to medium-low. Let the pasta simmer over medium-low for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and only a small amount of saucy liquid remains.

Cream cheese, hot sauce, butter, and Worcestershire added to the skillet.

Once the pasta is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, it’s time to make the buffalo sauce. Add 4oz. of cream cheese (cut into chunks), 2 Tbsp butter, ¼ cup hot sauce, and ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce. Continue to stir and cook over medium-low until the cream cheese is fully melted into the sauce.

Shredded cheese added to the skillet.

Add ½ cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese to the skillet and stir until it has melted into the sauce.

buffalo chicken pasta topped with sliced green onions.

Top the buffalo chicken pasta with sliced green onions and serve hot!

Overhead view of a bowl full of buffalo chicken pasta.

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Easy Marinara Sauce https://www.budgetbytes.com/homemade-marinara/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/homemade-marinara/#comments Wed, 28 Feb 2024 13:49:20 +0000 http://www.budgetbytes.com/2009/12/13/homemade-marinara-3-79-recipe-0-29-serving/ This easy homemade marinara sauce recipe only uses a few simple ingredients to create a rich and bold flavor, perfect for pasta and more!

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I know it’s super easy just to open up a jar of store-bought marinara sauce and pour it over your pasta, and sometimes that’s all the energy we have (no shame), but hear me out. This easy marinara sauce recipe is surprisingly simple, super inexpensive, and you get to control the ingredients (great for those watching their sugar or sodium intake). Plus, homemade marinara sauce is very freezer-friendly, so you can make a double batch now and save the other half for the nights when you have no energy. It heats through in minutes and you’re good to go with zero effort!

Overhead view of a pot full of homemade marinara sauce with a wooden spoon in the center.

What is Marinara Sauce?

Marinara sauce is a simple tomato-based pasta sauce. It’s characterized by its simple list of ingredients, which leads to an uncomplicated and bright tomato flavor. The texture of marinara sauce is usually very uniform without large chunks, which allows it to coat pasta evenly. Marinara sauce is most often used as a sauce for pasta, but it can also be used in many other dishes or as a dipping sauce.

Ingredients for Marinara Sauce

Marinara sauce in its most simple form is just puréed tomatoes (or passata) and a small amount of herbs and spices. I’ve added a couple more ingredients here to satisfy my American palate, but the recipe remains very simple. Here’s what you’ll need to make this marinara sauce recipe:

  • Onion: The natural sugars in onion add a touch of sweetness to the sauce, which helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • Garlic: Garlic pairs so well with tomato sauce that I just had to add some to round out the savory flavors. That being said, you can skip it for a more traditional marinara sauce flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Olive oil helps the onion sauté without burning and it adds some body to the sauce.
  • Crush Tomatoes: A large can of crushed tomatoes provides bulk to this sauce with a fairly smooth texture. If you can not get crushed tomatoes where you live, passata will also work.
  • Tomato Paste: A little bit of tomato paste added to the sauce helps thicken it up and intensifies the tomato flavor.
  • Herbs: Dried basil and oregano round out the flavor of this sauce and give it a subtle herbal finish.
  • Brown Sugar: Adding sugar is a short cut with tomato sauce that helps balance the acidity without having to simmer the sauce for a long period of time. You can skip the brown sugar, but I love the balance it brings to the flavor.
  • Salt: Salt is arguably the most important ingredient in any dish as it helps our tongue distinguish between different flavors. If your sauce is not properly salted, you will not be able to taste its full flavor.

What Kind of Tomatoes to Use for Marinara Sauce

This recipe is written using canned crushed tomatoes, which offer both convenience and a low price. While you most definitely can make marinara sauce using fresh tomatoes, that would require several more steps and a reformulation of the recipe to account for the extra water and flavor differences.

When choosing the canned crushed tomatoes for this recipe, keep in mind that there can be quite a drastic flavor difference between brands. If budget is your main concern, this recipe makes a great sauce even when using generic-brand canned tomatoes. But, if you want to get a bit fancier, you can opt for a premium or imported brand, or even buy whole canned San Marzano tomatoes and purée them yourself. Even when you opt for a more expensive canned tomato, this recipe is still very easy and budget-friendly, making it a great option for special occasions like date night in!

How to Use Marinara Sauce

We all know that marinara sauce is great on pasta, but you can use it for other recipes, as well! Here are some other ways to use this easy homemade marinara sauce:

  • Use it on pizza for a lighter tomato flavor. It’s particularly great on Margherita pizzas.
  • Use it as a dipping sauce for homemade focaccia or breadsticks.
  • Combine it with other sauces like pesto or alfredo sauce to make a new pasta or dipping sauce.
  • Add it to sandwiches, like Meatball Subs.
  • Use it as a sauce for Chicken Parmesan.
  • Use it as a base for soup by adding more seasoning, broth, and other items like pasta, meatballs, or vegetables.

How to Store And Reheat

As mentioned, this marinara sauce recipe freezes beautifully. After cooking the marinara sauce, transfer it to the refrigerator until completely chilled. The sauce will stay good in the refrigerator for 4-5 days, or you can transfer it to the freezer for longer storage. Just make sure the sauce is in a freezer-safe container, label and date it, and then freeze for up to three months. To reheat, simply transfer the frozen sauce to a saucepot and heat over medium-low, stirring often, until heated through.

A fork twirling into a pile of pasta covered in marinara sauce.
Overhead view of finished marinara sauce in the pot surrounded by pasta and herbs.
Print

Easy Marinara Sauce

This easy homemade marinara sauce recipe only uses a few simple ingredients to create a rich and bold flavor, perfect for pasta and more!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Total Cost $3.11 recipe / $0.39 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8 (½ cup each)
Calories 73kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 small yellow onion $0.37
  • 2 cloves garlic $0.16
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil $0.32
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste $0.20
  • 1 28oz. can crushed tomatoes $1.89
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano $0.05
  • 1 tsp brown sugar (optional) $0.02
  • 1 tsp salt (or to taste) $0.05

Instructions

  • Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion, garlic, and olive oil to a sauce pot and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).
  • Add the tomato paste and continue to stir and cook for 3-5 minutes more, or until the tomato paste takes on a slightly darker color. This caramelizes the sugars in the tomato paste to give it a slightly sweeter and less acidic flavor.
  • Add the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, brown sugar, and salt to the pot. Stir to combine and dissolve any tomato paste from the bottom of the pot.
  • Allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low, partially cover the pot, and allow the sauce to simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • After simmering for 30 minutes, taste the sauce and adjust the salt, sugar, or other seasonings to your liking. If the sauce is too acidic for your liking, you can let it simmer longer (about one hour) or add more sugar. Serve hot or refrigerate until ready to eat.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 73kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 454mg | Fiber: 2g
Close up side view of marinara sauce being stirred in the pot with a wooden spoon.

How to Make Marinara Sauce – Step by Step Photos

Sautéed onion and garlic in a saucepot.

Dice one yellow onion and mince two cloves of garlic. Add the onion, garlic, and 2 Tbsp olive oil to a sauce pot and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).

Tomato paste stirred into the onions and garlic in the saucepot.

Add 2 Tbsp of tomato paste to the pot and continue to stir and cook for 3-5 minutes more, or until the tomato paste takes on a slightly darker color. This caramelizes the sugars in the tomato paste, adding a natural sweetness.

Crushed tomatoes, sugar, and herbs added to the pot.

Finally, add one 28oz. can of crushed tomatoes, ½ tsp dried basil, ½ tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp salt. Stir to combine and dissolve any tomato paste from the bottom of the pot. Allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer.

Marinara sauce being stirred in the pot.

Once simmering, turn the heat down to medium-low, partially cover the pot, and let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Leaving a lid on the pot but slightly ajar can help prevent splatter.

Overhead view of finished marinara sauce in the pot surrounded by pasta and herbs.

After simmering for 30 minutes, give the marinara sauce a taste and adjust the salt or other herbs to your liking. If it’s still too acidic for your taste, you can either simmer it longer (around 1 hour total), or add more sugar.

Marinara sauce being spooned over a plate of pasta.

Serve the homemade marinara sauce over pasta, use it for a dipping sauce, or freeze it for later!

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One Pot Chili Mac https://www.budgetbytes.com/chili-cheese-beef-n-mac/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/chili-cheese-beef-n-mac/#comments Wed, 17 Jan 2024 13:50:22 +0000 http://www.budgetbytes.com/2012/05/15/chili-cheese-beef-n-mac-7-81-receipe-1-30-serving/ This super filling comfort food classic, One Pot Chili Mac, is like the hamburger helper of your childhood but all grown up and 100% from scratch!

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So you grew up on Hamburger Helper, but now you’re an adult and have a more ✨refined✨ palate (read: sarcasm). Well, this One Pot Chili Mac recipe is your grown-up “I actually know how to cook now” substitute! And don’t worry, it’s almost just as easy as the boxed mix. Promise. It’s rich, hearty, cheesy, beefy comfort food pasta all cooked in one easy-to-clean pot. WIN!

Overhead view of a bowl full of chili mac, garnished with parsley.

What Is Chili Mac?

Chili Mac is simply macaroni noodles drenched in a rich tomato-based meat sauce, seasoned with chili spices, and with plenty of creamy cheddar cheese melted in. Some recipes also include beans, but I’m going for more of a Hamburger Helper dupe with mine, so I went sans beans. And you might be thinking, “I call that Goulash in my house.” While Chili Mac is similar to American Goulash in that they both contain macaroni noodles and a tomato-based meat sauce, they differ in their seasonings and flavor profiles.

Ingredients for Chili Mac

Here’s what you’ll need to make your own homemade chili mac:

  • Onion and Garlic: The delicious meat sauce starts with onions and garlic sautéed in olive oil to give the beef plenty of flavor.
  • Ground Beef: Ground beef makes this dish super hearty and delicious, while still being quick and easy to make. Opt for 85 or 90% lean ground beef to avoid having to drain the fat from the pan.
  • Flour: A little flour cooked into the sauce helps thicken it up into a delicious gravy-like consistency.
  • Spices: A mix of spices are added to the sauce for maximum flavor, including chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano.
  • Tomato Sauce: Tomato sauce gives the sauce a tangy tomato flavor and adds to the chili flavor profile.
  • Beef Broth: Beef broth adds tons of flavor to this dish and enough salt to keep everything properly seasoned. If using a low-sodium broth, you may need to add a little salt at the end to taste to really help the flavors pop. We used Better Than Bouillon to make our beef broth for maximum flavor.
  • Macaroni: Macaroni noodles are an inexpensive and filling ingredient that helps stretch the cost of the beef and keep the entire recipe budget-friendly.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese is stirred into the sauce and added on top of the noodles for extra cheesy flavor!

What Else Can I Add?

If you want to take your chili mac to the next level, try adding one or more of these ingredients:

  • Drained kidney or black beans
  • Frozen corn kernels
  • Sliced green onions
  • Pickled jalapeños
  • Diced tomatoes (or tomatoes with green chiles)
  • Chipotle chile powder

What to Serve with Chili Mac

Chili mac is a true meal in a bowl, but if you want to serve something on the side I’d go for something fresh and light like Cowboy Caviar, Sweet Corn Salsa, or even Cumin Lime Coleslaw.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

As with any pasta dish, the macaroni will continue to get softer as it absorbs moisture from the sauce, so if softer pasta is not tolerable to you, you may not enjoy the leftovers. That being said, I will gobble up these leftovers without a second thought and love making this Chili Mac for meal prep and even to stock my freezer. I simply refrigerate single-serving portions for up to five days or freeze for up to three months. Let frozen portions thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat using the microwave.

Close up overhead view of chili mac in the pan.
Close up overhead view of a bowl of chili mac.
Print

One Pot Chili Mac

This super filling comfort food classic, One Pot Chili Mac, is like the hamburger helper of your childhood but all grown up and 100% from scratch!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $9.79 recipe / $1.63 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6 (1 cup each)
Calories 471kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Dice the yellow onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a large deep skillet or Dutch oven with the olive oil and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).
  • Add the ground beef to the skillet and continue to stir and cook until the beef is cooked through. If using a higher fat content ground beef, you may want to drain off the excess fat at this point.
  • Add the flour, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and oregano to the skillet with the beef and onions. Continue to cook and stir for about two minutes, allowing the flour and spices to coat the bottom of the skillet, but not burn.
  • Add the tomato sauce and beef broth to the skillet and stir well to combine, making sure to scrape and dissolve any browned bits off the bottom of the skillet.
  • Add the uncooked macaroni and stir to combine. Place a lid on the skillet and turn the heat up to medium-high. Allow the broth to come up to a full boil. Once boiling, give the pasta a quick stir to loosen any that is stuck to the bottom, turn the heat down to medium-low, and place the lid back on top.
  • Allow the macaroni to simmer, stirring every few minutes and always replacing the lid, until the macaroni is tender and the broth has reduced to a rich red gravy (about 10 minuts).
  • Stir half of the shredded cheese into the sauce until melted, and sprinkle the remainder on top. Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat off, and allow the residual heat to melt the cheese on top. Serve hot and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 471kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 25g | Sodium: 825mg | Fiber: 3g
Close up of chili mac on the fork held over a bowl.

How to Make Chili Mac – Step by Step Photos

Sautéed onion and garlic in a deep skillet.

Dice one yellow onion and mince two cloves of garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a large deep skillet or Dutch oven with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).

Flour and spices added to browned ground beef in the skillet.

Add one pound of ground beef to the skillet and continue to stir and cook until the beef is fully browned. If you’re using a higher fat content beef, drain the excess fat out of the pan. Next, add 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 tablespoon of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of dried oregano.

Flour and spices cooked into ground beef.

Continue to stir and cook the flour and spices into the beef for about two minutes, allowing it to coat the bottom of the skillet, but not burn.

Tomato sauce added to the skillet and beef broth being poured into the side.

Add one 8oz. can of tomato sauce and three cups of beef broth to the skillet. Stir well until everything is evenly combined, making sure to scrape and dissolve all of the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet.

Macaroni being poured into the skillet.

Add ½ pound (about 2 cups) of uncooked macaroni to the skillet and stir to combine. Place a lid on the skillet, turn the heat up to medium-high, and allow the broth to come up to a boil. Once boiling, give everything a quick stir to loosen any macaroni from the bottom of the skillet, turn the heat down to medium-low, and place the lid back on top.

Cooked macaroni in the skillet.

Let the macaroni simmer in the broth, stirring every few minutes or so and always placing the lid back on top, until the macaroni is tender and the broth has reduced to a saucy red gravy (about 10 minutes).

Cheddar cheese added to the skillet.

Add ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese to the chili mac and stir it into the sauce until melted.

Melted cheese on top of the chili mac, garnished with chopped parsley.

Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese on top. Place a lid on the skillet and turn the heat off. Let the residual heat melt the cheese, then serve. You can garnish with chopped cilantro or sliced green onions, if desired.

Side view of chili mac being scooped out of the skillet

So cheesy, beefy, and delicious!!

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Pasta with Peas and Ham https://www.budgetbytes.com/pasta-with-peas-and-ham/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/pasta-with-peas-and-ham/#comments Tue, 19 Dec 2023 20:53:21 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=88753 This recipe for pasta with peas and ham is a super fast and easy meal that will keep you full and satisfied on busy days!

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Fast and easy meals are the only thing helping me survive this time of year (…or any time of year for that matter), and this super quick and creamy pasta with peas and ham was a total winner for me. It’s inspired by a classic Italian dish, Pasta alla Papalina, and follows my favorite “formula” for easy meals: pasta + butter + Parmesan + vegetable. This variation on that formula has a few extra ingredients to give it a rich finish, but it’s still just as fast and easy (hello, one pot)!

Overhead view of a pot full of pasta with peas and ham, a spoon in the side.

What is Pasta with Peas and Ham?

This super simple dish is based on a classic Italian dish, Pasta alla Papalina, which features fettuccine, cured ham, peas, and onions in a rich sauce made with cream and either Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese. For this budget interpretation, I used a diced ham steak, heavy cream, and grated Parmesan. It may not be as fancy, but it’s EASY (read no chopping!) and still super delicious.

Ingredients for Pasta with Peas and Ham

This recipe is super flexible, so here’s what I used to make my pasta with peas and ham with some possible substitutions listed for each item:

  • Pasta: I used ditalini (small short tubes) because we had it on hand and I thought the shape would be a good match for the green peas, but you can make this dish with literally any type of pasta you might have in your kitchen. It’s a great way to use up the odds and ends of boxes of pasta!
  • Sweet Peas: I used frozen sweet peas, but you can use fresh peas if you have them. Simply add the fresh peas to the boiling pasta water a few minutes earlier so they can cook with the pasta. You can also substitute the peas with another green vegetable like broccoli or spinach.
  • Ham: I used a simple ham steak from the grocery store that I diced up and browned in the pot for extra flavor. Ham steaks can usually be found in the refrigerated packaged meat section of the grocery store, near bacon. You could also use bacon, pancetta, or even a cured sausage for this dish.
  • Butter and Heavy Cream: Full-fat dairy is what makes this dish so scrumptious. I’ve made plenty of pasta dishes similar to this one with just butter, so that is an option if you don’t have the heavy cream, but I love the rich sauce that the cream creates.
  • Parmesan: Parmesan coats the pasta for a nice boost of nutty umami flavor. You can also use Pecorino Romano or another hard-aged cheese.
  • Salt and Pepper: I love the way salt and pepper sprinkled over the pasta at the end adds small pops of flavor to every bite. You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a little kick.

How Are the Leftovers?

Quick pasta dishes like this are definitely best when made fresh, and luckily they are easy enough to whip up even when you’re short on time. The creamy sauce will tend to absorb into the pasta as it refrigerated, so if you do reheat your leftovers you might want to add an extra splash of cream or milk to add some moisture back in.

Close up side view of a bowl of pasta with peas and ham.
Overhead view of a bowl full of pasta with peas and ham and a fork.
Print

Pasta with Peas and Ham

This recipe for pasta with peas and ham is a super fast and easy meal that will keep you full and satisfied on busy days!
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American, Italian
Total Cost $4.81 recipe / $1.20 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 (about 1.5 cups each)
Calories 462kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. ditalini pasta* $0.63
  • 1 cup frozen sweet peas $0.38
  • 8 oz. ham steak $2.50
  • 1 Tbsp salted butter $0.11
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream $0.75
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan $0.40
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked pepper $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook just until tender. Add the frozen peas and continue to cook for one minute, then drain the pasta and peas in a colander.
  • While the pasta is cooking, dice the ham into small pieces. After draining the pasta and peas, add the diced ham and butter to the pot. Cook over medium, stirring often, until the ham has browned.
  • Add the drained pasta and peas back to the pot along with the heavy cream. Stir and heat over medium until the cream is hot, dissolving the browned bits off the bottom of the pot as you stir.
  • Remove the pot from the heat, sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the pasta, and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then serve.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*You can use any type of pasta you prefer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25cups | Calories: 462kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 19g | Sodium: 1010mg | Fiber: 4g

How to Make Pasta with Peas and Ham – Step by Step Photos

Cooked pasta and peas in a pot with a spoon lifting some out of the water.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add 2 cups of ditalini pasta (or 8oz. of your favorite pasta shape) to the water and boil just until tender. Add 1 cup of frozen sweet peas to the water and continue to cook for one minute. Drain the pasta and peas in a colander.

Diced ham browned in the pot.

While the pasta is cooking, dice one 8oz. ham steak into small pieces. After draining the pasta and peas, add the diced ham to the pot along with 1 Tbsp butter. Cook the ham over medium heat until it is browned (3-5 minutes).

Pasta and cream added to the pot with the ham.

Add the drained pasta and peas to the pot with the ham, along with ½ cup heavy cream. Stir and heat the pasta and cream over medium, dissolving the browned bits off the bottom of the pot as you stir. Heat and stir just until the cream is hot.

Parmesan being sprinkled over the pasta.

Remove the pot from the heat and sprinkle ¼ cup grated Parmesan over top. Stir to combine.

Salt and pepper added to the pasta.

Season the pasta with salt and pepper to taste (I used about ¼ tsp of each).

Close up of pasta with ham and peas in a spoon held over the pot.

And that’s it! Super easy peasy (pun intended) and delicious! Enjoy!

Overhead view of a bowl full of pasta with peas and ham and a fork.

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Chicken Spaghetti https://www.budgetbytes.com/chicken-spaghetti/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/chicken-spaghetti/#comments Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=88265 This creamy Chicken Spaghetti recipe is made with a cheesy, luscious, cream sauce and baked to perfection. A pasta lover’s dream!

The post Chicken Spaghetti appeared first on Budget Bytes.

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Let me start by saying my husband requested that I make this recipe over my usual chicken pasta recipe that I’ve been making for 10 years!! I was appalled. But honestly I can’t even blame him. This creamy Chicken Spaghetti recipe is a pasta lover’s dream. Tender chicken breast and spaghetti pasta are coated with a luscious cream sauce, then baked to perfection with extra cheese on top! And this casserole is made with simple pantry and refrigerated ingredients. I don’t know about you but I always seem to have a box of spaghetti noodles hanging out in my cabinet. If you do need to make a quick store run, make sure you grab two of whatever item you need, because trust me you’ll want to add this one to your weekly dinner rotation!

Side close up view of chicken spaghetti in a casserole dish with a wooden spoon lifting some out.

What Is Chicken Spaghetti?

When you read the words “Chicken Spaghetti” I’m sure you were thinking how on earth do those two foods go together? Well friend, let me ease your mind. This is not the traditional spaghetti sauce recipe that you’re probably familiar with. Chicken spaghetti is made with a creamy, cheesy, super flavorful cream sauce that coats tender chicken and spaghetti noodles. Tangy Rotel tomatoes are also added to give it an extra pop of flavor and to balance the creaminess of the dish. The mixture is then placed in a casserole dish and baked until it’s gooey and bubbly around the sides. Great, now I’m sitting here drooling just thinking about it again!

Ingredients For Chicken Spaghetti

Whenever it’s possible I like to keep things pretty simple, so you may already have everything you need to make this chicken spaghetti recipe. Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need:

  • Chicken: I opted for two boneless skinless chicken breasts. But if your budget is tight, you can certainly use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
  • Aromatics: Onion and garlic are sautéed in butter to give the casserole a wonderful base layer of flavor.
  • Butter & Flour: Butter is used to sauté the onion and garlic. All-purpose flour then mixes with the butter to create a simple roux, which thickens the creamy sauce.
  • Chicken Broth: Chicken broth combines with the roux to create a rich and thick sauce. And we always recommend using a good quality chicken broth because it adds a lot of flavor to your dish. We use Better than Bouillon to make our broth.
  • Seasoning: A simple mix of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper is all you’ll need!
  • Cheddar & Mozzarella Cheese: A combination of cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese adds depth of flavor to the casserole and makes it extra rich and cheesy! And yes I do recommend using both types of cheeses. We first tested this recipe using just cheddar cheese, but adding some mozzarella cheese with it really boosted the level of flavor!
  • Heavy Cream: Heavy cream adds even more richness to the dish and gives the sauce a wonderful creamy texture.
  • Rotel: A can of Rotel tomatoes with green chiles adds a LOT of flavor to the cream sauce and makes this chicken casserole absolutely delish! So don’t skip it!

Serving Suggestions

Serve this chicken casserole with some crusty bread or try our Homemade Garlic Bread. It would also pair well with a simple side salad to keep dinner simple and easy. With that being said, me and my family totally enjoyed this dish by itself…no extra sides needed for us!😉

Side view of Chicken Spaghetti plated with a forklifting some out
Overhead view of chicken spaghetti in a white casserole dish with a wooden spoon placed inside.
Print

Chicken Spaghetti

This creamy Chicken Spaghetti recipe is made with a cheesy, luscious, cream sauce and baked to perfection. A pasta lover’s dream!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Total Cost $11.81 recipe / $1.96 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6
Calories 572kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lb total) $4.70
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.12
  • 1/2 Tbsp salt (for the pasta water) $0.04
  • 8 oz spaghetti $0.62
  • 1/4 cup salted butter $0.52
  • 1 onion, diced $0.32
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced $0.16
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour $0.06
  • 2 cups chicken broth $0.34
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning $0.05
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided $1.24
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided $1.24
  • 1 cup heavy cream $1.36
  • 1 10oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained (Rotel) $1.00

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Using a sharp knife, carefully fillet each chicken breast into two thinner cutlets. Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the four chicken cutlets to the skillet and cook on each side until golden brown and cooked through (about 7-10 minutes total). Remove the chicken to a clean cutting board, and allow it to rest.
  • While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1/2 Tbsp of salt to the water then add the spaghetti pasta and boil until the pasta is tender (or al dente). Drain the pasta in a colander.
  • While the pasta is cooking, start making the sauce. In the same skillet that the chicken was cooked in, heat the butter over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until onion is translucent.
  • Sprinkle the flour into the skillet and stir with the onion and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flour starts to turn golden brown.
  • Slowly pour the chicken broth into the skillet and stir to fully dissolve the flour from the bottom of the skillet. The flour will start to thicken the sauce when it returns to a simmer. Add 1/2 tsp of salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and the heavy cream to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  • After the chicken breasts have rested, chop them into smaller ½ inch pieces.
  • Turn the heat off the skillet and add the drained diced tomatoes with green chiles, the chopped chicken, and the cooked spaghetti to the pan. Mix until combined.
  • Add the chicken spaghetti mixture to a 9×13” casserole dish. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and cheese is melted.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 572kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 37g | Sodium: 843mg | Fiber: 2g
Overhead view of chicken spaghetti in a white casserole dish with a wooden spoon placed inside.

How to Make Chicken Spaghetti – Step by Step Photos

Seared chicken breasts in a skillet.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Using a sharp knife, carefully fillet each chicken breast into two thinner cutlets. Here is a great tutorial on How to Cut Chicken Breasts Into Cutlets by Serious Eats. Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat and add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add the four chicken cutlets to the skillet and cook on each side until golden brown and cooked through (about 7-10 minutes total). Remove the chicken to a clean cutting board, and allow it to rest.

Cooked spaghetti noodles in a pot.

While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add 1/2 Tbsp of salt to the water, then add 8 oz. of spaghetti pasta, and boil until the pasta is tender (or al dente). Drain the pasta in a colander.

Onion and garlic sauteed in butter

While the pasta is cooking, start making the sauce. In the same skillet that the chicken was cooked in, heat 1/4 cup salted butter over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or until onion is translucent.

Chicken broth being added to sauteed onions, garlic and cooked flour.

Sprinkle 1/4 cup of flour into the skillet and stir with the onion and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flour starts to turn golden brown. Slowly pour 2 cups of chicken broth into the skillet and stir to fully dissolve the flour from the bottom of the skillet. The flour will start to thicken the sauce when it returns to a simmer.

Heavy cream, cheese, salt and pepper added to skillet.

Add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1 cup of heavy cream to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.

Chicken breasts chopped on a cutting board.

Now chop the cooked chicken breasts into smaller ½ inch pieces.

Cooked spaghetti, chopped chicken breasts, and rotel being added to skillet.

Turn the heat off the skillet and add 1 can of drained diced tomatoes with green chiles, the chopped chicken, and the cooked spaghetti to the pan. Mix until combined.

Chicken spaghetti mixture added to a white baking dish with the remainder of the cheese sprinkled on top.

Add the chicken spaghetti mixture to a 9×13” casserole dish. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.

Overhead view of cooked chicken spaghetti in a casserole dish.

Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until bubbly around the edges and the cheese is melted on top.

Overhead view of chicken spaghetti in a white casserole dish with a wooden spoon placed inside.

This Chicken Spaghetti casserole is so creamy and delicious, it’ll soon become one of your favorite recipes! Enjoy!

Side view of Chicken Spaghetti plated with a forklifting some out.

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Lasagna Roll Ups https://www.budgetbytes.com/spinach-lasagna-roll-ups/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/spinach-lasagna-roll-ups/#comments Wed, 11 Oct 2023 11:48:19 +0000 http://www.budgetbytes.com/2011/01/16/spinach-lasagna-roll-ups-8-01-recipe-1-14-serving/ Lasagna Roll Ups are a fun take on the classic Italian dish. Perfectly portioned for meal prep, customizable, and freezer-friendly!

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I love lasagna in all its forms, especially these cute little Lasagna Roll Ups that are perfectly portioned for meal prep. Stash a few portions of these in your freezer for a rainy day and you will THANK yourself later. Promise. Lasagna roll ups are flexible and you can fill them with whatever you like, sausage, beef, or even make them vegetarian as I have here with a light spinach-ricotta filling. No matter the flavor, they’re delicious and fun to eat!

Overhead view of a lasagna roll up being lifted from the baking dish.

What Are Lasagna Roll Ups?

Lasagna roll ups have all the same components of lasagna, but they are combined in different form. Instead of layering the ingredients into a casserole dish, the filling is spread onto each lasagna noodle and then rolled into a perfect little portion. Sauce is poured over the top and then they’re baked to perfection!

Ingredients for Lasagna Roll Ups

As with traditional lasagna, the filling for these lasagna roll ups is quite flexible. Here is what you’ll need to make the vegetarian spinach and ricotta-filled version below:

  • Lasagna Noodles: Each lasagna noodle makes one bundle. I like to get the flutter edge noodles instead of flat noodles because they make the prettiest roll ups.
  • Cheese: We use a mix of ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese to create the most flavorful filling for the roll ups.
  • Egg: Egg helps bind the cheese filling and keeps the filling moist and rich. I have, on occasion, forgotten the egg and the lasagna roll ups still turned out quite delicious, just not as moist.
  • Frozen Spinach: I chose to make a vegetarian version of lasagna roll ups to save on money, using an inexpensive block of frozen cut spinach, but you can swap for Italian sausage or ground beef if you want a meat version. Sautéed mushrooms also work well.
  • Pasta Sauce: To make this recipe extra easy, I used a simple jar of pasta sauce to drench the lasagna roll ups. If you prefer to make your own, you can use our Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce, or our quick Weeknight Pasta Sauce and have meat in addition to the spinach.

What to Serve with Lasagna Roll Ups

Some homemade garlic bread and a nice side salad would be perfect to pair with this meal and will add some color and freshness to the plate. But the roll ups are pretty filling on their own, so you won’t need to add much to make it a meal!

Meal Prep It!

These lasagna roll ups will stay good in the refrigerator for about five days, so make sure to portion them out into air-tight containers after cooking for quick grab-and-reheat meals for the rest of the week. After the portions are chilled in the refrigerator you can transfer some to the freezer for longer storage (up to three months).

To reheat the frozen lasagna roll ups, either let them thaw in the refrigerator over night before reheating in the microwave, or go straight from the freezer to the microwave, making sure to use the defrost function first.

Side view of a lasagna roll up being lifted from the baking dish.
Overhead view of a pan full of lasagna roll ups with one being lifted out of the pan.
Print

Lasagna Roll Ups

Lasagna Roll Ups are a fun take on the classic Italian dish. Perfectly portioned for meal prep, customizable, and freezer-friendly!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $12.26 recipe / $1.53 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 8 (2 rolls each)
Calories 387kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. lasagna noodles $2.19
  • 15 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese $3.39
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided $2.33
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan $0.38
  • 1 large egg $0.09
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 10 oz. frozen spinach, thawed $1.20
  • 1 24oz. jar pasta sauce $1.99

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add 1 tsp salt to season the water, then add the lasagna noodles. Boil the noodles just until al dente (they become too delicate to roll if they are too soft). Drain the noodles in a colander.
  • While the noodles are boiling, drain the thawed spinach, squeezing out as much of the excess water as possible. Add the spinach to a bowl with the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper. Stir until everything is evenly combined.
  • Once the lasagna noodles have cooled enough to touch with your hands, lay a few noodles out onto a clean surface. Spread about ¼ cup of the spinach and cheese filling onto each noodle, spreading it from edge to edge. It's okay if the filling is thin or doesn't create a solid layer. Roll the noodles up, then place in a large casserole dish. Repeat with the remaining noodles until you've used all of the filling. You should get about 16 roll ups and you may have a few noodles left over (those will be back up in case any tear).
  • Once all of the noodles are filled, rolled, and placed in the casserole dish, pour the jar of pasta sauce over top. Top the lasagna roll ups with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake the lasagna roll ups for 30 minutes in the preheated 400ºF oven. Serve hot and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 2roll ups | Calories: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 16g | Sodium: 788mg | Fiber: 4g
Lasagna roll ups on a plate with garlic bread, a fork cutting into one.

How to Make Lasagna Roll Ups – Step by Step Photos

Frozen spinach package on a plate.

Thaw one 10oz. package of frozen chopped spinach (either use the defrost function on a microwave or transfer it to the refrigerator the day before to thaw). Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

Thawed spinach squeezed dry in a bowl.

Once the spinach is fully thawed, squeeze out as much water as possible from the spinach. You should have about one cup tightly packed spinach after squeezing.

Spinach with cheese and eggs for filling in a bowl.

Add the spinach to a large bowl with one large egg, 15oz. ricotta cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Stir everything together until evenly combined.

Boiled lasagna noodles in a colander.

Boil 12oz. lasagna noodles until al dente, then drain in a colander. Do not let the noodles overcook or they’ll be too delicate to work with. You’ll only need 12 noodles, but you’ll likely have a few more if you boil an entire 12oz. box. It’s always good to have a few back up in case they tear as you’re filling and rolling.

Lasagna noodles being filled and rolled.

Lay a few of the lasagna noodles out onto a clean surface and spread a thin layer of the cheese filling onto each noodle from edge to edge. The filling does not need to be thick or in a solid layer because it adds up when the noodles are rolled. I used heaping ¼ cup of filling per noodle.

Sauce being poured over the lasagna roll ups in the baking dish.

As you fill and roll the noodles, place them in a large casserole dish. Pour one 24oz. jar of marinara sauce over the lasagna roll ups.

Cheese being sprinkled on top of the lasagna roll ups.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella over the lasagna roll ups.

Baked lasagna roll ups with foil being pulled back from the baking dish.

Cover the baking dish and bake the roll ups for about 30 minutes in the preheated 400ºF oven, or until the sauce and cheese are bubbling up around the edges.

Finished lasagna roll ups in the baking dish, garnished with parsley.

Serve and enjoy! (Garnish with parsley for a little extra color, if desired.)

Side view of a lasagna roll up being lifted out of the baking dish.

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