20-Minute Mac and Cheese (Vegan)

Ever wanted mac and cheese but like, right now? This is the recipe for you! This easy vegan mac and cheese requires just 20 minutes from start to finish! The cashew sauce is easy to make and out of this world: vibrant golden color, savory and cheesy, a…

20-Minute Mac and Cheese (Vegan)

Ever wanted mac and cheese but like, right now? This is the recipe for you! This easy vegan mac and cheese requires just 20 minutes from start to finish! The cashew sauce is easy to make and out of this world: vibrant golden color, savory and cheesy, and incredibly creamy. This is the perfect dish for when you’re craving homemade comfort food fast. Let us show you how it’s done!

This mac and cheese starts with cooking the noodles.

20-Minute Mac and Cheese (Vegan) from Minimalist Baker →

Broccoli Pasta Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette

This Broccoli Pasta Salad features a tangy homemade vinaigrette, nutty sunflower seeds, and creamy-salty feta.

The post Broccoli Pasta Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette appeared first on Budget Bytes.

It’s that time of year again. The time of year when all I want to eat are cold salads with crunchy vegetables. And since fresh broccoli is one of my favorite crunchy vegetables, I decided to build a pasta salad featuring broccoli and my new favorite homemade salad dressing. This Broccoli Pasta Salad features a tangy homemade tomato vinaigrette, nutty sunflower seeds, savory red onions, and pops of creamy-salty feta. This flavor-texture combo is just magic!

Overhead of an oval serving tray full of broccoli pasta salad with black utensils in the side

Pasta Options

I used a rotini pasta for this salad because all the little twisty crevices are great at grabbing onto the salad dressing, making sure there’s tons of flavor in every bite. That being said, you could definitely do something like a penne, bowtie, or orecchiette instead. I think the nutty flavor of whole wheat pasta would actually go really well with the flavors in this salad, too.

Salad Dressing Options

I’ve included a homemade tomato vinaigrette with this recipe, but if you’re not a fan of tomato you could do a basic Italian dressing in its place, or something like a champagne vinaigrette. I’d stick to dressings that are light and tangy.

Is the Broccoli Raw??

The last time I posted a salad recipe with raw broccoli, there were quite a few people who were surprised that you could (or that you would want to) eat raw broccoli. Yes, the broccoli in this salad is raw. Raw broccoli is deliciously crunchy but does have a very different flavor from cooked broccoli. If you prefer cooked broccoli, I suggest using roasted broccoli to give an extra flavor boost to the salad.

Close up side view of broccoli pasta salad with tomato vinaigrette on a platter
Close up side view of broccoli pasta salad with tomato vinaigrette on a platter

Broccoli Pasta Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette

This Broccoli Pasta Salad features a tangy homemade vinaigrette, nutty sunflower seeds, and creamy-salty feta.
Total Cost $4.67 recipe / $1.17 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 1.5 cups each
Calories 576.05kcal
Author Beth – Budget Bytes

Ingredients

Tomato Basil Vinaigrette

  • 1 Tbsp tomato paste $0.05
  • 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar $0.20
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp sugar $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 6 Tbsp olive oil $0.96

Salad

  • 1/2 lb. rotini pasta $0.38
  • 1 lb. broccoli $0.89
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion $0.16
  • 1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds $0.25
  • 4 oz. feta $1.65

Instructions

  • Prepare the vinaigrette first. Whisk together the tomato paste, red wine vinegar, basil, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth. Begin to whisk in the olive oil, one tablespooon at a time, until fully incorporated. Set the vinaigrette aside.
  • Cook the rotini pasta according to the package directions (boil for 7-10 minutes, or until tender). Drain the pasta in a colander. Rinse briefly with cool water to cool off the pasta. Drain well.
  • While the pasta is cooking, cut the broccoli florets off the stems, then roughly chop the florets into small, bite-sized pieces. Finely dice the red onion.
  • Once the pasta has drained, transfer it to a large bowl. Add the chopped broccoli, red onion, and sunflower seeds. Crumble the feta over top. Drizzle the dressing into the bowl and then gently toss the ingredients until they are evenly combined and everything is coated in dressing. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 576.05kcal | Carbohydrates: 56.45g | Protein: 16.78g | Fat: 32.9g | Sodium: 575.15mg | Fiber: 6.38g
Overhead of broccoli pasta salad on a platter with a bowl of sunflower seeds and broccoli florets on the side

How to Make Broccoli Pasta Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette – Step by Step Photos

tomato paste, vinegar, and herbs in a bowl

Begin the tomato vinaigrette first. Whisk together 1 Tbsp tomato paste, 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar, ½ tsp dried basil, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp sugar, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp freshly cracked pepper until smooth.

One tablespoon oil being added to tomato paste mixture in the bowl

Begin to whisk in olive oil, one tablespoon at a time, until you’ve incorporated 6 Tbsps. Set the dressing aside.

Cooked rotini in a colander

Next, cook ½ lb. rotini according to the package directions (boil 7-10 minutes, or until tender). Drain the pasta in a colander. Give it a brief rinse to cool it off, then let it drain well.

Chopped broccoli on a cutting board

Chop about 1 lb. of fresh broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces. They don’t have to be pretty florets, just chop away until the pieces are fairly small. Also finely dice about ½ cup red onion.

Broccoli pasta salad ingredients in a bowl

Once cooled, transfer the pasta to a bowl and add the chopped broccoli, diced red onion, ¼ cup unsalted sunflower seeds, and about 4oz. feta.

Tomato vinaigrette being poured over the pasta salad ingredients

Pour the tomato vinaigrette over top…

Finished broccoli pasta salad in a bowl with a red spatula

Then gently toss everything together until well combined and everything is coated in dressing. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for later!

The post Broccoli Pasta Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Nigella’s Brilliant Secret for Better Bread

Starchy water. We know by now to always save at least a ladleful of that cloudy, well-salted liquid after boiling a pot of pasta, an ingredient necessary for transforming a skillet of melted fat and beaten eggs into silky carbonara, or for seamlessly m…

Starchy water. We know by now to always save at least a ladleful of that cloudy, well-salted liquid after boiling a pot of pasta, an ingredient necessary for transforming a skillet of melted fat and beaten eggs into silky carbonara, or for seamlessly melting grated Parmesan into creamy vodka sauce so the mixture becomes a proper emulsion, nary a cheese clump in sight. And what about the water used for boiling potatoes? I’ll never forget a line in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s The Long Winter: “There was no milk but Ma said, ‘leave a very little of the boiling water in, and after you mash them beat them extra hard with a big spoon.’ The potatoes turned out white and fluffy.” I haven’t made mashed potatoes with milk since—just butter and starchy water.

The point is clear: Be it science or magic, that cloudy water left over from boiling pasta or potatoes holds the key to a lot of deliciousness. And where there is deliciousness, there is usually also the work of Nigella Lawson.

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Spaghetti and Meatballs

Our boys love pasta nights and their absolute favorite meal is Spaghetti and Meatballs. Juicy, tender meatballs covered in rich marinara sauce and served over a big plate of spaghetti. What’s not to love? This classic Italian dish is always a fav…

Our boys love pasta nights and their absolute favorite meal is Spaghetti and Meatballs. Juicy, tender meatballs covered in rich marinara sauce and served over a big plate of spaghetti. What’s not to love? This classic Italian dish is always a favorite. This spaghetti and meatballs recipe is easy to make at home and is…

The post Spaghetti and Meatballs appeared first on Two Peas & Their Pod.

Spaghetti with Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce

This week I had a killer craving for some classic spaghetti and meat sauce. But, as you may know, I like to add vegetables whenever and wherever I can to recipes. So I shredded a couple of handfuls of vegetables, tossed them into the sauce, and added some extra herbs and spices to make this […]

The post Spaghetti with Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce appeared first on Budget Bytes.

This week I had a killer craving for some classic spaghetti and meat sauce. But, as you may know, I like to add vegetables whenever and wherever I can to recipes. So I shredded a couple of handfuls of vegetables, tossed them into the sauce, and added some extra herbs and spices to make this absolutely incredible “hidden vegetable” pasta sauce. It has more flavor, more color, and more texture (read: fiber). It’s a win-win-win!

 Originally posted 11-21-2015, updated 4-17-2021.

Overhead view of a bowl of spaghetti with hidden vegetable pasta sauce and garlic bread on the side

Shown with Homemade Garlic Bread

Balance Your Costs with Vegetables

My favorite trick for stretching ground meat in recipes is to use vegetables or beans to replace half of the ground meat. This time I shredded vegetables, which mimicked the texture of the ground meat, but added a subtle sweetness and a whole lot of extra flavor, texture, and nutrition to the sauce. This sauce is so delicious that I couldn’t stop sneaking spoonfuls while I took photos!

Can I Make This Sauce Vegetarian?

If you want to make a vegetarian version of this hidden vegetable pasta sauce, I suggest mincing an 8oz. container of mushrooms and sautéing them with the onions and garlic. The minced texture will mimic the ground meat and mushrooms have that umami flavor that is similar to ground meat.

Is Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce Freezer Friendly?

This sauce freezes great if you want to make a double batch and have it on hand in your freezer for busy nights. Just make sure to cool the sauce completely in the refrigerator first, then transfer to the freezer. The sauce will stay good in the freezer for months. To reheat, empty the freezer container into a sauce pot and heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Side view of hidden vegetable pasta sauce in a skillet with a spatula

Overhead view of a bowl of spaghetti with hidden vegetable pasta sauce

Spaghetti with Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce

Give your spaghetti an upgrade with this hidden vegetable pasta sauce that contains a medley of vegetables plus extra herbs and spices for maximum flavor.
Total Cost $6.21 recipe / $1.55 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 366.78kcal
Author Beth - Budget Bytes

Ingredients

  • 1 small zucchini $0.57
  • 2 carrots $0.16
  • 1 yellow onion $0.25
  • 2 cloves garlic $0.16
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil $0.16
  • 1/2 lb. ground beef $2.50
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper $0.03
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper (optional) $0.02
  • 1 24oz. jar pasta sauce* $1.49
  • 12 oz. spaghetti $0.75

Instructions

  • Use a cheese grater to grate the zucchini and carrots. You'll want about 1.5 cups of each, but the amount is flexible. Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
  • Add the olive oil and ground beef to a large, deep skillet. Cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is fully browned. Add the diced onion and garlic and continue to sauté a few minutes more, or until the onions are soft and translucent.
  • Add the shredded zucchini and carrots to the skillet along with the basil, oregano, salt, freshly cracked pepper, and a pinch of red pepper. Continue to sauté until the vegetables are wilted (about five minutes).
  • Add the pasta sauce to the skillet and stir to combine. Allow the contents of the skillet to come up to a simmer, then turn the heat down to low and simmer the sauce as you prepare the spaghetti. Stir the sauce occasionally as it simmers.
  • Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions, then drain in a colander. Return the drained spaghetti to the pot with the heat turned off. Add one cup of the prepared sauce to the pasta and stir to coat. Divide the pasta into serving bowls and top with additional sauce.

Notes

*Use your favorite brand or flavor of red pasta sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 366.78kcal | Carbohydrates: 46.73g | Protein: 25.98g | Fat: 13.53g | Sodium: 979.83mg | Fiber: 7.78g

Close up of a fork twirling spaghetti with hidden vegetable pasta sauce

How to Make Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce – Step by Step Photos

Shredded zucchini and carrot on a cutting board

Start by preparing your vegetables. Use a cheese grater to grate one small zucchini and two carrots. You’ll want about 1.5 cups each, but this is flexible so don’t sweat it if you have a little more or less. Also dice one yellow onion and mince two cloves of garlic.

Browned ground beef with onions and garlic

Add 1/2 lb. ground beef in a large deep skillet with 1 Tbsp olive oil and cook over medium heat until the beef has browned. Once browned, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for a few minutes more, or until the onions are soft and translucent.

Shredded vegetables added to the skillet with the meat

Add the shredded zucchini and carrots to the skillet along with 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, about ¼ tsp freshly cracked pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes (optional). Continue to sauté the vegetables until they soften, or about five minutes. 

Pasta sauce being poured into the skillet with the meat and vegetables

Finally, add one 24oz. jar of your favorite pasta sauce and stir to combine. Allow the sauce to come back up to a simmer, then turn the heat down to low and continue to let the contents of the skillet simmer as you begin to prepare your spaghetti.

Simmered hidden vegetable pasta sauce in the skillet

Stir the sauce occasionally as it simmers. The vegetables will continue to soften as the sauce simmers, further “hiding” them in the sauce.

Spaghetti and sauce in the stock pot

Cook 12oz. of spaghetti according to the package directions, then drain in a colander. Return the pasta to the cooking pot with the heat turned off and add about 1 cup of the sauce. Stir to coat the pasta with the sauce.

Overhead view of a bowl of spaghetti with hidden vegetable pasta sauce

Divide the pasta into serving bowls, then top each bowl with additional sauce. This stuff is seriously so good, my mouth is watering just looking at that bowl!

Pasta sauce in a freezer bag

And don’t forget, this sauce is freezer-friendly! Just make sure to cool it completely in the refrigerator first, then place in a freezer-safe container (I used freezer bags), label, date, and freeze for later! It can be thawed in a saucepot over low, stirring occasionally.

The post Spaghetti with Hidden Vegetable Pasta Sauce appeared first on Budget Bytes.

The Infamous Recipes Taking Over TikTok—& Good Morning America

It started with the Dalgona whipped coffee. Then it was the pancake cereal. The folded quesadilla. The feta pasta. Love them or hate them, you definitely know them. They start on the popular video platform TikTok, then all of a sudden they’re all over …

It started with the Dalgona whipped coffee. Then it was the pancake cereal. The folded quesadilla. The feta pasta. Love them or hate them, you definitely know them. They start on the popular video platform TikTok, then all of a sudden they’re all over the internet. Viral recipes are nothing new, but the speed at which they’re spreading, gaining traction, and being replicated is unprecedented. And these recipes are reaching beyond the internet. There’s a growing number of these trends being picked up by morning television, especially through programs like Good Morning America and The Today Show. Are these shows going for clicks, or do the recipes have the chops to back them up? I decided to investigate.

Vegan Blueberry Cookies

It comes as no surprise that these cookies picked up quickly with their bright bluish-indigo hue and simple, pared-down ingredient list. Originating with blogger Justine Snacks, the recipe for Blueberry Cookies that are both vegan and naturally, yet vibrantly, colored immediately took off on TikTok, even getting picked up by Good Morning America this week. They came up on my ‘For You’ page and I’ll admit, I was intrigued. They were eye-catching and so easy in a way that, as a recipe developer, led me to be a little skeptical. So I decided to make them myself, in the name of science!

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Pizza Supreme Mac and Cheese.

Get ready for pizza mac and cheese! I can’t tell you how often I call this “max and cheese,” because ever since Max was around 1.5 or 2 years old, he would ask for “max and cheese.” So in other words, please enjoy this pizza supreme max and cheese!  No but really. Pizza flavors + […]

The post Pizza Supreme Mac and Cheese. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Get ready for pizza mac and cheese!

white pizza supreme mac and cheese

I can’t tell you how often I call this “max and cheese,” because ever since Max was around 1.5 or 2 years old, he would ask for “max and cheese.”

So in other words, please enjoy this pizza supreme max and cheese! 

peppers and olives

No but really. Pizza flavors + mac and cheese? I need nothing else in the world. This is ridiculously delicious, creamy, flavorful, satisfying and a huge crowd pleaser. It’s customizable and exactly what you want to eat this weekend! 

At least, I’m hoping it is. Pizza mac and cheese is what I want to eat all the time. 

white pizza supreme mac and cheese before baking

I find it funny that I like to make “pizza supreme” flavored dishes because for most of my life, if I was ever served a pizza supreme, I would run away!! If you’re not familiar, the idea of pizza supreme means that it’s loaded with alllll the toppings. Well, most of them. Peppers, mushrooms, pepperoni, sausage, olives, etc.

Things like that!

I’m sure it differs depending on location, but these are the ones that nostalgically stick out in my mind.

white pizza supreme mac and cheese

Even since I made a pizza supreme cauliflower crust pizza, I’ve been in love with this version of pizza supreme. I skip the sausage because I just don’t love sausage (it’s the fennel seeds. no thanks!) and stick to pepperoni and mostly veggies. I love anything tart and briney, so roasted red peppers and banana peppers both make their way in. Eddie loves those too and they are toppings that we use often on pizza anyway. 

This whole dish was a mishmash of a few of my recipes. My white pizza recipes – which have always been a staple because I grew up not loving tomato sauce. My pizza gnocchi in The Pretty Dish, which is SO delish and comforting. And then that cauliflower crust pizza mentioned above.

white pizza supreme mac and cheese

I just knew that some sort of hybrid of those ideas would be fantastic as a mac and cheese.

And I was right!

So I made this as a baked mac and cheese. Of course, you can use whatever toppings you want and love. You could throw the toppings in a stovetop mac and cheese, but I did find in my testing that baked is best because it also roasts the toppings, like regular pizza does. 

white pizza supreme mac and cheese

Obviously I skipped the tomato sauce here, but if you’re feeling it, you could always add in some roasted tomatoes or even diced tomatoes. Or even dollop some pizza sauce on top! 

When it comes to cheeses, I kept the sauce somewhat traditional with parmesan and mozzarella. But I did throw in some cheddar for sharpness and flavor and it made the entire dish POP.

It’s also your call if you would like to stir more toppings into the mac and cheese for extra texture or just leave them on top. There is no wrong way here, it’s just your preference and what you like best. For example, I stir the roasted red peppers into my mac and cheese, but that is it. The rest goes on top and I find we love it that way. 

white pizza supreme mac and cheese

Now what toppings are first on your list?! (more…)

The post Pizza Supreme Mac and Cheese. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad

If you love pasta but are craving something lighter for spring and summer, this is the pasta for you! Avocado lovers unite! The key to this 10-ingredient, 30-minute dish is the avocado pesto sauce, which was inspired by the flavors and vibrant color of…

Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad

If you love pasta but are craving something lighter for spring and summer, this is the pasta for you! Avocado lovers unite! The key to this 10-ingredient, 30-minute dish is the avocado pesto sauce, which was inspired by the flavors and vibrant color of our Green Goddess Dressing!

It’s lemony, garlicky, herby, and incredibly creamy thanks to buttery avocado. Simply toss the pasta of your choice in this delicious sauce and add any seasonal veggies you have on hand and call it a meal or picnic-friendly side.

Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad from Minimalist Baker →

Chicken Penne Pasta

We love a good pasta night at our house. A few of our favorites include baked ziti, lasagna, cacio e pepe, and pasta pomodoro. This easy Chicken Penne Pasta is another favorite, my boys request it often. They love the creamy, cheesy sauce that covers t…

We love a good pasta night at our house. A few of our favorites include baked ziti, lasagna, cacio e pepe, and pasta pomodoro. This easy Chicken Penne Pasta is another favorite, my boys request it often. They love the creamy, cheesy sauce that covers the penne pasta and chicken. I also add a fresh…

The post Chicken Penne Pasta appeared first on Two Peas & Their Pod.

What’s the Honeycomb Pasta TikTok Is Buzzing Over?

The newest TikTok food trend storming the internet is, of course, about pasta. This time around, however, there’s no feta, no cherry tomatoes, and no Finnish food bloggers involved. And this time, the pasta is in the shape of a honeycomb.
It all start…

The newest TikTok food trend storming the internet is, of course, about pasta. This time around, however, there’s no feta, no cherry tomatoes, and no Finnish food bloggers involved. And this time, the pasta is in the shape of a honeycomb.

It all started when TikTok user Anna Rothfuss (@bananalovesyoutoo) posted a video of what’s being deemed "honeycomb pasta" to her page. Her approach is unique: She nestles rigatoni side by side in a springform pan with the tubular openings facing skyward. Arranged all together, they form a visually pleasing honeycomb pattern. She then stuffs each pasta tube with a section of string cheese, and pours tomato sauce over the top so it drips down to the bottom of the pan. On top of all that goes cooked ground beef and a smattering of shredded mozzarella before it’s popped into the oven and baked. What emerges is an ooey-gooey pasta dish that Rothfuss cuts into like a cake as her camera person oohs and aahs.

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