Great Pasta Budget Dinners

Enjoy some real delicious, fresh and absolutely affordable pasta meal ideas

Creamy Asparagus Linguine

Cut 1 pound trimmed asparagus into 1-inch pieces; saute with olive oil and minced garlic until just soft, 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup cream and heat through. Toss with 1 pound cooked linguine, lemon zest, salt, and red pepper flakes. You can use brokolli instead of the asparagus

Baked Ravioli and Spinach

Toss together one 15-ounce bag frozen ravioli, 6-ounce fresh spinach, and one 24-ounce jar marinara in a 2-quart baking dish. Bake, covered, at 400 degrees F. until cooked through, 25 minutes. Top with grated mozzarella.

Tuna and Lemon Spaghetti

Gently toss 1 pound cooked spaghetti with 1 can tuna, some sliced red onion, lemon zest, a splash of lemon juice, olive oil and a bit of fresh dill. Season with salt and pepper.

Gemelli with Tomato, and Yellow Squash (pictured)

In a skillet, heat a little bit of olive oil and cook 2 diced yellow squash until just tender. Add 1 pint grape tomatoes and heat through. Toss everything with 1 pound cooked gemelli, salt, pepper, and Parmesan.

Fusilli with minced Meat, Avocado, and Black Olives

Dry fry 1/2 pound minced turkey or beef, season with Italian seasoning, making it a bit spicy if you want to. Toss 1 pound cooked Fusilli with 1/4 cup chopped black olives, half a diced avocado, 2 cups baby spinach or arugula, and the meat. Add some Italian vinaigrette.

Zucchini and Sage Penne

Saute a few sage leaves in 5 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil until crisp, about 4 minutes. Remove sage and cook 3 zucchini, sliced, until tender. Stir into 1 pound cooked penne with the sage, salt, and pepper.

Eggplant Marinara Rigatoni

Saute 4 cups diced eggplant in olive oil until tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in a little minced garlic, some chopped olives, and a 24-ounce jar marinara. Heat and serve with 1 pound cooked rigatoni and mozzarella.

Spicy Tomato TunaLinguine

Saute 1 finely chopped onion and some minced garlic in olive oil until soft. Add 2 cans Tuna, one 24-ounce jar marinara, and some red pepper flakes; simmer 15 minutes. Season with salt; toss with 1 pound cooked linguine and chopped parsley.

If you don't want to buy marinara sauce, you can make it yourself (see the recipe)