Easy Pasta Recipes Blog

Should I rinse pasta?

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:25:44 GMT

When I was a child and even as a young adult, my mother would RINSE off the hot pasta after she boiled it in hot water, using cold water! Then I heard

Difference between bucatini and rigate penne pasta?

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:19:02 GMT

What is the difference between bucatini pasta and rigate penne pasta? I have about 5 pounds of penne and want to use it instead of bucatini. Is there

Cheese ravioli for Christmas Eve?

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:03:15 GMT

Would you feel making cheese ravioli for Christmas Eve is too heavy? Seeing as I have all kinds of fried & stuffed fish... we are Italian and usually

Had the machine for ten minutes now!

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 08:56:09 GMT

So far I haven't been able to work out how it works, as there aren't any instructions for how to put it together (even in Italian). I've got the tagliatelli

Smooth, Slow. (But buy the motor!)

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:19:00 GMT

Best machine of all. Does just what you want, slowly. As far as I know it's one of the few that allows you to add on a motor once you fall in love with

100% Easy Pasta Recipes for First Time Cooks

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:13:18 GMT

These ultra easy pasta recipes are aimed squarely at pasta beginners. So if you have never done more than open a bottle of pasta sauce, these delicious Italian dishes are for you.

Veggie Pasta with Chickpeas, Spinach and Tomato

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:29:00 GMT

Flavorful pasta with chickpeas, spinach and rich tomato sauce. Deliciously suited to veggies and meat-eaters alike.

These Easy Eggplant Recipes are Pastastic!

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:37:22 GMT

Easy eggplant recipes anyone can cook - direct from Italy. These aubergine recipes are scrumptious and perfect for pasta lovers.

Simple Stuffed Eggplant Recipe

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:52:47 GMT

This scrumptious stuffed eggplant recipe packs soft-fried aubergine halves with pasta smothered in rich tomato sauce. Serve with melted mozzarella for a mouth-watering Italian mouthful.

Do you have Thanksgiving turkey left over?

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 15:22:53 GMT

If so, bang your bits of bird in this baked pasta dish and make sure this protein-packed meat doesn't go to waste!

Interesting alternative lasagna recipe

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:27:54 GMT

Definitely the most interesting lasagna I've we've seen in a while, courtesy of the Washington Post newspaper. One to try this week methinx... (Click the image to see the recipe.)

Diabetic-friendly pasta

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:01:43 GMT

There is a Quinoa brand of pasta, made from corn flour and quinoa flour. Tastes great, but a bit pricey. I have been experimenting making my own blend

Pesto sauce recipe - made with a Chef's Knife or Mezzaluna

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:23:48 GMT

This is the pesto sauce recipe I used to make pesto in the days when I was a poor college-student. Of course, I did not have a blender or food processor,

Do different pasta shapes taste different?

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:13:04 GMT

Hi - I want to know if different shapes of pasta have different tastes? (I mean the pasta itself not with the sauce.) For example, is the taste of farfalle

Rusty rollers

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 07:29:16 GMT

Yes I have the Imperia pasta machine. I have used it two or 3 times. The last time I used it, I found it had a few rust spots on the rollers. I never

Different Types of Pasta Explained

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:00:55 GMT

Learn the different types of pasta with my comprehensive A to Z guide. From amori and barbina to vermicelli and ziti, I explain how these shapes differ and how to easily recognise them.

Simple Italian Ravioli Recipes

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:00:36 GMT

Easy Italian ravioli recipes, explained in plain English using picture guides.

Easy Ravioli Recipe With Sweet Potato And Butter Nut Sauce

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 21:54:41 GMT

This sweet and silky homemade ravioli recipe is a scumptious treat and great for impressing dinner guests. Try this easy step-by-step cooking guide.

Crespelle or vente crochante Italian cookies

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:46:19 GMT

Hi, sorry if this is the wrong site for this question, but I found these Italian cookies called crespelle at one Italian deli near me (Manhattan), and

Fresh egg pasta or non-egg pasta - which and when?

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:24:21 GMT

Hello, Great website! My question is: what do you think about when you decide to use egg-pasta and pasta made without eggs in? Is it something to

Can you freeze lasagna in a metal tray?

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:38:03 GMT

I had a dinner party and I made 2 trays of lasagna and I didn't cook the one. But when I made it, I made it in a metal tray. So I was wondering if it's

Colour of fresh pasta is wrong!

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:29:28 GMT

Hi, I am hoping to make some homemade pasta for a farmers market, and am experimenting at the moment with a few batches. It tastes great, but I think

Why does my lasagna dry up when I freeze it?

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:12:19 GMT

Hi - I layer my pasta, having made the bolognaise sauce, but I also use shop-bought white sauce. This always dries up when I freeze my lasagne. Am I

Pasta sauce for small cafe

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 04:31:35 GMT

Hi.....my name is Nishant from India. I ran a cafe in the local city market and wish to introduce pasta in the menu. I have tried the basic tomato sauce

Fresh Whole Wheat Pasta Recipe - Easy Wholemeal Pasta

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:53:15 GMT

Love delicious fresh pasta but also try to eat healthy? Try this fresh whole wheat pasta recipe today. Buono!

Using the Marcato Atlas 150 pasta maker

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:59:40 GMT

Finally got around to filming a little of how the Marcato Atlas pasta machine works. An excellent quality piece of kit - highly recommended!

Simple Bacon Pasta With Farmers Market Veggies - Easy Bacon Pasta Recipe

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:32:44 GMT

This easy bacon pasta is full of nutrituous freshness with a nice porky punch.

Simple Italian Seafood Pasta Recipes

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:24:06 GMT

These easy-to-follow seafood pasta recipes explain how to combine mouth-watering fruits of the sea (frutti di mare) such as prawns, mussels and more, with the most delicious Italian pasta shapes.

Easy Spaghetti Octopus Recipe - Neapolitan Octopus Pasta

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:37:44 GMT

This octopus recipe is an Italian food match made in heaven - succulent spaghetti and soft-cooked baby octopus. Find out how to make it here.

Using the Imperia pasta maker to make fresh lasagna sheets

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 10:02:56 GMT

Hi Matt - couple of quick questions for you. When making pasta for lasagna using the Imperia 150 pasta maker, would running it through to setting 4 be

Can I make the pasta dough tonight and cut tomorrow? What is the best storage for long duration resting?

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:26:45 GMT

I have a dinner party tomorrow night and don't have enough time do make the pasta, rest it, cut it and cook it. Can I make the dough tonight and cut and

Which pasta maker should I buy to make all kinds of shapes?

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:46:52 GMT

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Matt. I am keen to buy a pasta maker to make all kinds of shapes. Would you be able to recommend the best place to

'Little Eyes' clam spaghetti sauce

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:30:02 GMT

I saw on a cooking channel a lady cooking in a large skillet: olive oil, anchovies, baby clam and other ingredients which I did not see or hear as my phone

I am making lasagna for 30, bolognese sauce frozen, how soon can I assemble

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:02:19 GMT

I made bolognese sauce and froze it. Now I have a party on Saturday night for 35 people. Can I defrost the sauce, cook my lasagna noodles, and make

What is a good substitute for semolina flour?

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:53:03 GMT

Can I substitute semolina flower (I can't find it where I live) for all-purpose or wholewheat flour? Livia. Answer: Hi Livia and thanks for your pasta

Quick & Easy Pesto Recipes - Basil Pesto Recipes

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:08:10 GMT

Ready in just 5-10 mins, these simple Italian pesto recipes turn any pasta into an authentically delicious dish.

Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Redux - With Rosemary And Macadamia Nuts

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:52:18 GMT

This multi-flavored sun dried tomato pesto features a nutty macadamia crunch and the herby scent of rosemary. It makes a great pasta covering and works smothered over toasted bread too.

How to avoid slimy pasta

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:43:46 GMT

Hi all, I'm really enjoying making fresh pasta but am struggling to produce pasta that isn't totally smooth and that has a slimy/slippy texture once cooked.

Red pesto sauce with a twist

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:01:55 GMT

Check out this quick creation from yesterday evening's Pastastic kitchen... It's red pesto but with a twist... in there you have the subtle crunch of macadamia nuts, plus the herby aroma of rosemary... all supported by sun-dried toms, basil, oil and more. I can tell you... this was about as tasty a pesto as I've ever tasted. Look out for the recipe here later this week...

Venetian pasta with red onion, raisins, spinach and more...

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 08:16:34 GMT

Found a freebie throwaway pasta recipe guide within an old BBC Good Food magazine and in it was this 'Venetian style' dish - red onion slices, spinach, raisins, toasted pine nuts and a little balsamic. With a glass of Riesling? Does the job nicely ;-)

Help! Fresh pasta dough is not cutting right.

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 14:38:55 GMT

I think I have a pasta dough issue. Here's my problem... My dough is a ratio of 1 egg to 1 cup flour with enough water to make it all stick together

For your dinner cookbook, get on the Pastastic list!

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:07:40 GMT

Whoa, this is too cool. The writer of a full digital cookbook just said I could give it away FOR FREE with the next issue of our Pastastic newsletter! The book is called DinneRevolution and features 221 pages of recipes that are all sub-30 minutes and sub-10 ingredients. Sweeet... make sure you're on the Pastastic list peeps. Just click the link below... :-)

Lello 3000 Promaster review

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:05:03 GMT

Just got done using this electric pasta maker for the first time and it worked just fine. You do have to hold the pasta as it comes out so that it doesn't

Freezing baked lasagna

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 10:48:08 GMT

I baked two small pans of lasagna last night. We had one for dinner and I wanted to take one to my in-laws tomorrow. I kept the second cooked lasagna

Why does my fresh pasta taste floury?

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 10:34:32 GMT

When I made my pasta (before I came across this great website!) the pasta tasted floury. Would this be because I might not be kneading it enough? Or

La Vera Pizza, Santa Rosa, CA

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 10:22:27 GMT

Outstanding pizza creations, gigantic salads, housemade soups and a excellent pasta selections. All pizzas come with fresh basil. The housemade garlic

Easy Bean And Pasta Soup - Pasta With Fava (Broad) Beans

Sun, 03 Jul 2011 08:11:53 GMT

This fresh and crunchy bean and pasta soup is a nutrituous farmers' market special that you can spice up with the flavor of your choice.

Which is better - dried or fresh pici pasta?

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 09:17:11 GMT

Hi - I want to recreate a dish we had in Tuscany. Can I use dried pici and will it be as good as fresh? Should I substitute the dried pici for fresh

Rich lasagna sauce left-overs

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 09:20:21 GMT

My finished lasagna came out too rich. I used too much tomato puree and canned tomatoes. So there is still half of a very large tray left. It seems such

Marcato Atlas Pasta Maker 150 - Full Machine Review And Buying Tips

Sun, 19 Jun 2011 12:05:25 GMT

Read my full kitchen review of the Marcato Atlas pasta maker. This sturdy steel beast is great value, works great and is built to last.