493 pasta cheese recipes

Cheesy pasta salad tossed with olive oil and shredded cheddar while the noodles are still hot, so the cheese melts and clings. Studded with fresh tomato and onion, and just as good hot or chilled. No mayo.

Fettuccine tossed with julienned SPAM, broccoli, carrots, and cauliflower in a light basil cream sauce finished with Parmesan. A veggie-loaded primavera that comes together in 35 minutes.

Lighter fettuccine Alfredo with turkey Italian sausage, evaporated skim milk, and Parmesan topped with fresh tomato. A lower-fat spin on the classic pasta dish that still delivers creamy, cheesy satisfaction.

Italian market pasta salad tosses bow-tie pasta with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, tangy gorgonzola and toasted pine nuts in a balsamic dressing. A light, no-mayo summer salad.

Spinach ricotta stuffed shells with a cabbage twist, baked in tomato-broth sauce with nutmeg. A lighter Italian-American main with hidden-vegetable smarts.

Whole wheat penne tossed with braised butternut squash, kale, crispy smoked tofu, and Parmesan. A hearty, low-fat winter pasta that's on the table in under 45 minutes.

Pasta in almond garlic sauce blends blanched almonds, raw garlic, and parmigiano-reggiano into a silky, dairy-light coat for cavatappi. Fresh basil, mint, and a squeeze of lemon keep it bright.

Low-calorie baked macaroni and cheese made with skim milk, cottage cheese instead of cheddar, dill, and parsley. Topped with breadcrumbs and paprika for a crispy finish.

Quick and easy pasta with peas in a super-fast tomato sauce.

Vegetarian penne pasta with fresh Roma tomato sauce, broccoli, zucchini, sugar snap peas, carrots, and Parmesan. A colorful one-pot weeknight dinner.

Vegan pesto tofu manicotti: shells stuffed with mashed soft tofu, basil pesto, scallions, peppers, and mushrooms. Topped with marinara and shredded soy mozzarella, baked until bubbly. Plant-based dinner-party comfort food.

Pasta e fagioli: Italian bean and pasta soup with white kidney beans, canned tomatoes, sun-dried tomato, basil, and oregano. A rustic vegetarian one-pot that thickens into a hearty meal.

I was skeptical about the recipe, but I happened to have all the ingredients on hand, so went for it. To my surprise, it actually tasted delicious. It was also a great way to use frozen broccoli. Overall I liked it, and will probably make it again.

This is the most excellent casserole I have ever eaten, good keeper.

This is an old Ruthenian peasant dish, very popular in the Carpathian Alps, as well as here in Fair Oaks, CA. Great for warming the tummy on a cold winter day. This is easy to prepare, and good as a luncheon dish served with salad, or as a first course soup prior to a lighter entree.

Hearty one-pot minestrone loaded with swiss chard, spicy pepperoni, lima beans, and pasta in a savory beef broth. A filling Italian-style soup that feeds six in about 30 minutes.