Friday, March 25, 2011

Meals With Rotini

Rotini is a type of spiral pasta.


Rotini is a short, spiral noodle often used in Italian cooking. There are a number of dishes you can create using rotini noodles, which will add a kick to your weekly menu planning. From traditional pasta dishes to rotini salads, there's something to fit all tastes.


Tomato and Basil


Tomato and basil are two flavors often combined in Italian cooking to make a simple sauce to pour over pasta. Boil your rotini and make a sauce from canned or fresh tomatoes and chopped, fresh basil. You can pour the sauce over the rotini for an alternative to your traditional spaghetti and meatballs dinner.








Rotini Salad


For a light and healthy meal, combine chilled, cooked rotini with fresh romaine lettuce and other veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and olives. You can dress the rotini salad with olive oil and red wine vinegar to keep with the Italian flavors.








Rotini Pasta Salad


Many pasta salads are made using ziti noodles or elbow macaroni, but you can also make this dish with rotini noodles. Combine cooked rotini with chopped onions and green peppers, then bind the ingredients together with either olive oil or mayonnaise, then chill. This dish can act as a substitute for potato salad at your next barbecue.


Casserole


A warm casserole fresh from the oven can be a filling and satisfying meal. Instead of a rice-based casserole, make your next casserole using cooked rotini. Combine rotini with a can of condensed soup, mushrooms and a cup of your favorite grated cheese. You can add cooked ground chicken or beef for added protein. Then bake in the oven until the casserole is bubbling and golden.

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