Winter is here, and that can mean cold weather, snow and the holidays. But it can also mean cozy nights spent at home, and nothing makes cozier than a bowl of warm comfort food. Pasta is one of the most popular comfort foods out there, and it's easy to make with a few simple ingredients. Here are some of our favorite cozy pasta recipes to make winter better.
Baked Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 1 lb macaroni
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups grated cheese (cheddar or gruyere)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk together for 1 minute.
- Add milk and whisk together until thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in grated cheese and season with salt and pepper.
- Pour cheese sauce over cooked macaroni and stir to combine.
- Transfer macaroni to a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and bake for 30 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried linguine or fettuccine
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 large onion, diced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and mushrooms and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add white wine and cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in cream and bring to a simmer. Simmer until sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Toss sauce with cooked pasta and serve garnished with fresh parsley.
Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna
Ingredients
- 1 lb lasagna noodles
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add crushed tomatoes, oregano and basil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and spinach. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Spread 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Top with remaining noodles and spread remaining tomato sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
These cozy pasta recipes are sure to make winter better. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious, comforting meal that will warm your heart and soul. So turn on the oven and get cooking!
People Also Ask
What are some easy pasta recipes?
Some easy pasta recipes include mac and cheese, creamy mushroom pasta, and spinach and ricotta lasagna.
What kind of pasta is best for baking?
The best kind of pasta for baking is a sturdy pasta such as lasagna noodles or macaroni.
How do you make creamy pasta sauce?
To make a creamy pasta sauce, melt butter in a saucepan and whisk in flour. Add milk and whisk until thickened. Stir in grated cheese and season with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over cooked pasta and stir to combine.
