Build Your Own Pasta Recipe
1) CHOOSE YOUR PASTA: Spaghetti, Fettuccine, Penne, Cheese Tortellini Add $2. 2) CHOOSE YOUR SAUCE: Alfredo, Five Cheese, Tomato Cream, Marinara, White Wine Butter Sauce, Vodka Sauce. 3) CHOOSE YOUR ADD ONS: Grilled, Crispy or Blackened Chicken $4.99, Shrimp $5.99, Salmon $8.99, Two Meatballs $2.99, Sausage $2.99, Broccoli $1.99, Asparagus $1.99, Mushrooms 99¢.
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Ingredients
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Pasta Base
Sauces (choose one)
Add-ons (optional — pick any)
Finishing & Garnish
Method
Pasta Base
Bring 6 cups of water to a rolling boil in a large pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt. Add chosen pasta (8 oz portion of spaghetti, fettuccine, penne or cheese tortellini). Cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 8–12 minutes; tortellini 3–5 minutes if fresh). Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta and set aside.
Sauces (choose one) - Alfredo
Alfredo Sauce
In a 10" skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbs butter. Add 1 tsp minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup grated Parmesan. Stir and simmer gently 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened. If too thick, add 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss cooked pasta into sauce and coat well.
Sauces (choose one) - Five Cheese
Five Cheese Sauce
In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 2 tbs butter with 1 tsp garlic. Add 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup whole milk; warm gently. Whisk in 2 oz cream cheese until smooth. Add 1 cup grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/2 cup shredded fontina (or provolone). Stir until cheeses melt and sauce is smooth. Thin with reserved pasta water 1–2 tbs if necessary. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Combine with pasta and toss to coat.
Sauces (choose one) - Tomato Cream / Vodka
Tomato Cream / Vodka Sauce
In a skillet over medium heat, warm 1 tbs olive oil and 1 tsp garlic until fragrant. Add 2 tbs tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Pour in 1/2 cup tomato sauce and 1 cup crushed tomatoes. Stir, then add 2 tbs vodka (optional) and allow alcohol to burn off (~2 minutes). Add 1 cup heavy cream and 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust salt to 1/2 tsp. For a plain tomato cream skip vodka. Toss with pasta and add reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
Sauces (choose one) - Marinara
Marinara Sauce
Heat 1 tbs olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté 1 tsp garlic until fragrant. Add 1 cup crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp dried basil, pinch of salt and pepper. Simmer 10–12 minutes to concentrate flavor. Toss with pasta and finish with a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen.
Sauces (choose one) - White Wine Butter
White Wine Butter Sauce
In a skillet, melt 2 tbs butter over medium heat. Add 1 tsp garlic and cook 30 seconds. Pour in 1/4 cup dry white wine and 1 tsp lemon juice. Let reduce for 2–3 minutes. Stir in an additional 1 tbs butter off heat to finish, season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Toss with pasta and reserved pasta water as needed to create a glossy sauce.
Add-ons (choose, prepare method provided)
Grilled Chicken
For grilled chicken: pound one 8 oz chicken breast to even thickness if needed, season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika and 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning. Brush with 1 tbs olive oil. Grill or sear in a hot skillet 4–5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let rest 3 minutes, slice and add to plated pasta.
Blackened Chicken
For blackened chicken: season chicken with blackening spice or mix 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper. Sear in a very hot skillet with 1 tbs oil 3–4 minutes per side until crusted and cooked through. Rest, slice, and add to pasta.
Shrimp
Pat 6 oz shrimp dry and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper. Sear in 1 tbs olive oil over medium-high heat 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. If using with wine-butter or garlic sauces, cook shrimp in the skillet after sautéing garlic so they finish in the sauce for 30–60 seconds.
Meatballs & Sausage
Heat two cooked meatballs (or pre-cooked sausage slices) in sauce or in a skillet until warmed through (3–5 minutes). Slice meatballs or sausage and fold into pasta.
Vegetables (Broccoli, Asparagus, Mushrooms)
Blanch broccoli florets and asparagus in boiling salted water 1–2 minutes until bright green and just tender; shock in ice water and drain. For mushrooms, sauté 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms in 1 tbs olive oil over medium-high heat 3–4 minutes until browned; season with a pinch of salt. Add vegetables to sauce/pasta and toss to combine.
Assembly & Finish
Combine: Add cooked pasta to the chosen sauce in a skillet over low heat. Toss gently to coat, adding reserved pasta water 1–2 tbs at a time if needed to reach silky consistency. Add chosen protein and vegetables and warm together 1–2 minutes so flavors marry.