Five comforting pastas to keep you warm

Simmered sauce, braised meat, lots of cheese - these pasta ideas are to keep your carb cravings in check

It’ll be a crime to categorise pasta as seasonal, but well, winter pasta dishes are especially comforting. On cold winter nights, a bowl of pasta and a cup of hot chocolate is the ultimate satisfying meal. There’s plain fun in slurping down on these two with your favourite movie playing in the background.

From the rich pull of cheese to the creamy sauces and the goodness of carb-infused noodles, everything just warms the insides right away in the best way. However, it may get boring with just the regular red and white sauce. Good for you- one of the best things about pasta is its versatility.

Compiled from Foodnetwork.com, these five pasta ideas won’t let you down. Whether you’re looking for a one-pot easy dinner or a cosy baked macaroni and cheese, we’ve got it all covered. Put your pyjamas on, turn up the music and get cooking for a cosy pasta night!

1. Sesame noodles with chilli oil scallions

All you need for this cosy veggie pasta dish are scallion whites, vegetable oil, red pepper flakes, sesame seeds, and pepper to create a chilli oil and let it simmer for 10 mins. The spicy Sichuan pepper adds a numbing effect with the sweet and sour mix of vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar that will create a perfect fulfilling bowl of spicy and sweet noodles.

2. No boil mac and cheese

Everyone loves a good old bowl of classic rich macaroni and cheese. However, this time, to twist it up, skip a step to add goodness to it. Do not boil the pasta and instead, mix the dried pasta with a thinner-than-usual bèchamel sauce, and it will bake perfectly in just 30 minutes. Add chicken, herbs, oregano, and chilli flakes to add more taste to your carb fusion.

For the perfect traditional Béchamel sauce, use white roux and milk and create a creamy blend of cheesy goodness.

3. One-pot garlic parmesan pasta

The easiest yet the cosiest pasta is a one-pot garlic parmesan pasta. The garlic, parmesan and butter mixed with its divine smell make your home smell of winter. All you need is garlic, chicken broth, fettuccine pasta and lots and lots of parmesan. If the mixture gets too thick with parmesan cheese, add more milk as needed until desired consistency is reached.

4. Spaghetti with pesto cream sauce

In its most basic form, this one consists of basil, garlic and olive oil mashed with spaghetti. To create different versions of pasta, include red pepper with pine nuts or sundried tomatoes to enhance the flavour. Besides its indescribable deliciousness, pesto also has multiple health benefits. This perfect sauce can be your weeknight staple to go with all and any kind of pasta in hand.

5. Sun-dried tomato fettuccine Alfredo

Saving the best for last, this comforting alfredo dish will be a winter favourite for sure. With cheese, tomatoes and chicken, this practically healthy classic dish will blow your mind. The cream sauce will literally melt in your mouth. You need fettuccine pasta, unsalted butter, chicken breasts, some Italian seasoning, garlic, tomato paste, dried basil and sun-dried tomatoes, and lots of creams and parmesan cheese to create this amazing saucy pasta for your winter feast.

 

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