Category: Pasta

Old School Macaroni Salad

If you’ve been following me for a while, you already know this recipe is completely out of character for me.

I spend so much of my time talking about technique—cook your pasta al dente, never rinse it, balance flavors naturally, and definitely don’t add sugar to everything. Then along comes this old-school macaroni salad that breaks every single one of those rules.

The pasta? I intentionally overcook it until it’s soft. Then I rinse it, which is something I almost never do. And yes, there’s sugar in the dressing. But here’s the thing: not every recipe is meant to be elevated. Some recipes are meant to transport you. They’re the ones that showed up at family barbecues, summer picnics, and Shabbat lunches. They’re familiar, nostalgic, and comforting because they taste exactly the way you remember them.

Could I make a more sophisticated macaroni salad? Of course. But that isn’t the point. This one makes me smile after the very first bite because it tastes like childhood.

So I give you macaroni salad (without the macaroni! I prefer rotini because the sauce and veggies get stuck between the grooves!), unapologetically old-school comfort food. And honestly? Sometimes that’s exactly what belongs on the table.

Old-School Macaroni Salad

1 (16-ounce) box rotini
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sugar
3-4 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 stalk celery, finely diced celery
1 carrot, julienned
2 scallions, diced small

Method:

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until it’s past al dente and nice and soft, about 2–3 minutes longer than the package directions. Drain the pasta and rinse it well under cold water until completely cooled.

In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sugar, lemon juice and kosher salt. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit of water to thin it out. Add the cooled pasta along with the celery, carrot and scallions. Toss until everything is evenly coated.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until chilled. Taste before serving and adjust with a little more salt, sugar, or lemon juice if needed.

Related Recipes:

Angel Hair Pasta Salad
Salmon Pasta Salad
Tuna Pasta Salad
Basil Pasta

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Sheet Pan Pesto Gnocchi

If you haven’t hopped on the baked gnocchi train yet, it is time! No need to boil up those little potato nuggets, you can roast them in the oven with you favorite veg and sauce, and voila! An easy side dish, or blank canvas for your protein of choice!

Think of all the variations! You can switch up the veg (spinach artichoke!) or add in proteins like grilled chicken, feta cheese or lentils! Or serve alongside your favorite fish!

 

Sheet Pan Pesto Gnocchi

1 lb. store-bought gnocchi
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 medium zucchini, chopped
1 red onion, diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp dried oregano
kosher salt, to taste
1/4 cup Tuscanini sundried tomato pesto
handful fresh basil leaves, chiffonade

Method:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

On a sheet pan, combine the gnocchi, tomatoes, zucchini, onion, garlic, olive oil, balsamic, oregano and salt, stir to combine. Transfer to the oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and mix in the pesto. Add the basil leaves and mix to incorporate.

NOTE: If you can’t find the sundried tomato pesto, use your favorite store-bought variety or make your own.

 

Related Recipes:

shlishkes
pesto burger with tomato jam
zucchini caponata

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Pasta Caponata

I’m on a roll here with my TURNING LEFTOVERS INTO DO-OVERS series over on the Gram and this time, I gotta use up my eggplant caponata + a chunk of leftover sourdough, so I turned into a creamy, saucy pasta with toasty za’atar breadcrumbs and some fresh cilantro. Best pasta I’ve every had? no, but it’s got potential (with some added feta, mozzarella, maybe a runny egg on top?) and it’s a great way to use up your leftover eggplant dip!

 

Pasta Caponata

1 lb. of your favorite pasta shape
2 cups leftover caponata or eggplant dip
1 heaping tbsp tomato paste, optional
1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
handful of fresh cilantro

Za’atar Sourdough Breadcrumbs

2 slices leftover sourdough, torn or blended into coarse crumbs
2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp za’atar
kosher salt, to taste

Method:

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add pasta, cook according to package directions. While the pasta is cooking, heat the caponata in a deep skillet. If it’s not very saucy, add some more tomato paste and stir it into the dip with some olive oil, stirring until it caramelizes and deepens in color. Add the pasta directly into the pot with 1-2 ladles of pasta water and stir until the pasta is fully coated in the sauce.

To make the crumbs, heat the olive oil in a frying pan and add the breadcrumbs. Stir over medium heat until golden brown and crispy. Add the za’atar and salt and stir to incorporate.

Sprinkle the crumbs over the pasta and garnish with cilantro.

Related Recipes:

zucchini caponata
eggplant dip

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Israeli Couscous Arancini

A real #oldiebutgoodie, this arancini was born out of my love of cheesy fried deliciousness and fun Chanukah appetizers. Arancini is as labor-intensive as it is delicious, because it starts with a base of leftover risotta (who ever has leftover risotto?!), so here, I substitute ptitim, or Israeli couscous as it’s called in this country, for rice, and you’re left with a quick-cooking pasta with the most delicious mouthfeeel that comes together super fast! I can never make these little bites of heaven fast enough, and kids just can’t stop popping them. A winner for your Chanukah party!

Israeli Couscous Arancini
reprinted from Millennial Kosher

1 Tbsp butter
¼ cup shallot, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (8.8-oz.) bag Israeli couscous
2 cups whole milk
½ tsp salt
2 cups shredded mozzarella
3 eggs
salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups panko crumbs
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp garlic powder
canola oil, for frying
grated Parmesan cheese, for dusting
marinara sauce, for serving

Method:

In a large saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter. Add shallot and garlic; sauté until softened and fragrant. Add couscous, milk, and salt; bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook until couscous is tender and milk is absorbed, about 8 minutes. Stir in the mozzarella.

Spread couscous mixture into a 9×9-inch pan lined with parchment paper; refrigerate until pasta is solid. Remove from the pan and cut into cubes.

In a shallow bowl, combine panko crumbs, basil, oregano, and garlic powder. Mix to combine; season with salt and pepper.

In a second shallow bowl, beat eggs lightly; season with salt and pepper.

Heat 2 inches of canola oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, dip the pasta cubes first in eggs and then in panko crumbs, to coat. Fry until golden and drain on paper towels.

Dust the arancini with Parmesan; serve with marinara sauce, for dipping.

Note: To prepare in advance, you may freeze the arancini before or after frying. You may fry unfried frozen arancini until browned and crisp. If arancini have already been fried, bake at 400°F on a greased baking sheet until crispy and heated through.

Related Recipes:

bissli pizza wheels
Pizza En Croute
jalapeno poppers
broccoli parmesan poppers

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Sheet Pan Lasagna

Well hello there old friend!! I’ve been busier than ever in Brooklyn – well, everywhere really! It’s been a whirlwind tour ever since the book came out in March and time just got away from me – but here I am, HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. (Well I’m not actually home, but home is where the heart is, and it all started right. here.)

I always come back for the holidays because they have a special place in my heart, especially ones where we celebrate over dairy delights like Shavuot. Gimme all the cheese!!!! This sheet pan lasagna is going to change the game for you – from a layered patchke dish, to a simple on-pan main! I used cottage cheese because the creamy curds are having a trendy moment all over our social feeds (it stops at cottage cheese ice cream for me!!), but feel free to use ricotta as well.

Happy Holidays!

Sheet Pan Lasagna

16oz lasagna sheets, broken into pieces
16oz whipped cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese)
1 clove of garlic, minced
Zest of half a lemon
2 frozen basil cubes
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp Freshly ground pepper or pinch red pepper flakes
1 egg yolk
1 26oz jar marinara sauce
12oz shredded cheese, divided
3 cups kale or spinach
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Method:

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna and cook until al dente, 8-10 minutes, stirring so it doesn’t stick together.

While the pasta is cooking, combine the cottage cheese, garlic, lemon zest, basil, oregano, pepper and egg yolk in a bowl. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Drain the pasta and spread it out on a parchment lined baking sheet. Add the marinara sauce, kale, and 12oz. of cheese and stir to combine. Spread the noodles out on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Top with dollops of cottage cheese, the remaining shredded cheese and parmesan.

Bake the pasta until the edges of the kale and pasta are crisp and the cheese is bubbly, about 18-20 minutes.

Related Recipes:

lasagna roll up blintzes
parmesan lasagna chips with pizza hummus
spinach lasagna roll ups
linguini lasagna

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