Elbow Pasta Recipes
On a budget and looking for dinner ideas that use pantry staples? Here is a delicious collection of elbow pasta recipes!
Pasta recipes are not only filling but are a great way to stretch your grocery budget!
Mac and cheese is not the only thing you can make with elbow macaroni.
Elbow pasta is such a crowd pleasing staple and it is one of my go to comfort foods. It is also great for many side dishes, not just the main course.
What Meals Can You Make with Elbow Macaroni?
Honestly, the possibilities are endless. We love to make any of the following:
- pasta bake or casseroles in the oven
- homemade macaroni and cheese
- macaroni salad
- pasta salad
- one pot large skillet stove top recipes
Should You Put Olive Oil on Cooked Pasta?
My mother-in-law does. She either uses butter or olive oil or sometimes both. And I do it too. There is nothing worse than dry, stuck together pasta no matter the shape of the noodle.
How Do You Cook Elbow Pasta?
I bring a large pot of water to a boil. (I do add splash of olive oil to the water and season it with salt. I do this before adding the pasta to the water.) Once it’s at a boil I add the pasta and stir. I stir the pasta every 2-3 minutes just to make sure its not sticking and clumping together. Then I bring it back to a boil for 7-9 minutes. I then strain it and run cold water over it.
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Can You Freeze Elbow Pasta?
You can! I have used it in freezer meals many times. I just cook it al dente so that it holds it’s form and so it’s not overcooked when I reheat it after freezing.
How Many Minutes Should Elbow Macaroni be Cooked for it to be Al Dente?
I typically cook my pasta for 6-7 minutes if I want it to be al dente.
Can I Boil Pasta in the Microwave
I mean… you can. It is possible. I have a 12 year old who makes macaroni like this all the time.
But, it is a mess and honestly the pasta is a weird texture if you ask me.
Just do it on the stove top.
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Elbow Pasta Recipes
This super simple dinner is done in no time and uses pantry and fridge staples.
The perfect side dish for your savory dinner. You will love this!
This stove top dinner is done in no time! Easy peasy and perfect for a busy weeknight!
Your kids will love this mac and cheese dinner idea!
This is one of the easiest comforting family meals that you can make in just 30 minutes!
Looking for a quick and easy dinner recipe to throw together in the kitchen? You will love this budget friendly idea. It’s also very filling so you don’t have to worry about hungry tummies an hour later.
All of the flavor of beloved deviled eggs with less pressure to make them look perfect. This pasta salad is perfect for picnics, BBQs or just because.
Easy to make healthy soup recipe made in the slow cooker. This homemade vegetable soup is made in the crockpot in 6 hours.
looking for a hearty and delicious recipe? This is loaded with beef and pasta simmered in a tomato sauce for an easy weeknight meal.
a recipe that uses pantry staples that every family should have on the dinner table. This recipe is easy to make and tastes so delicious!
A veggie loaded soup that’s easy to whip up.
Fluffy, soft scrambled eggs are given a filling boost with perfectly al dente macaroni noodles in these Peppery Scrambled Macaroni & Eggs! Pasta for breakfast might sound strange, but this much loved Great Depression era recipe has been passed down through generations of family because of how delicious it is!
If you have ground beef in the freezer along with elbow pasta, chickpeas and tomatoes you are golden! Those ingredients serve as the foundation for this easy, hearty recipe.
Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup | Easy, Comforting, 30-Minute Recipe!
This easy soup recipe is a fun little twist with elbow pasta! It has plenty of shortcuts and make-ahead options, and it’s freezable, too!
This tasty bowl of pasta, veggies, and beef alternative is easy to make in one pot in less than 30 minutes and has very simple ingredients. It’s also ridiculously delicious and will please the whole family, even picky eaters, young or young-at-heart!
Cleaning the waffle iron after is 100% worth every savory bite of this yummy recipe!
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese - One Pot Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese
This one-pot recipe is like a grownup version of hamburger helper and a much healthier option than that boxed stuff. Filled with spinach, peppers, real cheddar cheese, on the table in just 30 minutes and easily made gluten-free too!
This cheesy lasagna mac is the BEST Instant Pot pasta recipe and is sure to be one of your family’s new favorite meals! Hearty and filling, this dish can be made even healthier using gluten free pasta.
This soup is filled with lean ground beef, vegetables with elbow pasta in a rich and flavorful tomato-based broth. A mix between goulash and beef stew, this delicious beef and macaroni soup is easy, budget-friendly, and reheats beautifully.
A simple 4 ingredient macaroni salad can be thrown together last minute or made ahead. It’s served cold so is perfect for feeding a crowd, or bringing along to a potluck, picnic or BBQ!
This old fashioned recipe is made with 3 simple ingredients – macaroni, cheddar cheese and tomatoes. It’s real food and comfort food at its finest!
This is an easy, one-pot, classic comfort food made with ground beef, tomatoes, and elbow pasta. Enjoy year-round, and delicious leftover, this irresistible goulash recipe is guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters.