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Do you say Penne or Mostaccioli ?

© Steve Compton

Most of the folks who are reading this article have probably fallen victim to a clever catering ploy. Say you're at a wedding, company dinner, graduation party, or some other festive social gathering where you get to break bread and share good conversation. Most often the nameless, faceless, caterer will serve the beef, chicken, and pasta trio, along with the breads, veggies and salad.

You should know better, but you dish out a portion of pasta, hoping that this time, maybe, it will be a pleasant surprise to your taste buds. But once again, your palette declares a mutiny as the gummy, baby food like, pasta turns into a mushy paste in your mouth. You force a smile as you swallow this...this stuff that is better suited as a wallpaper adhesive than a member of the food pyramid. We won't even discuss the sauce, or whatever that red stuff is almost evident in the serving tray with the paste...I mean pasta.

Why am I rambling on like this? Well, because I added a new top link that you have to visit, if you've a few minutes, and to share a couple of pasta recipes that use penne, or mostaccioli noodles to make your palette sing. (Or at least cause your taste buds to hum a cheerful tune.)

One is quick and easy and is made with an alfredo sauce. The other, made with the tomato sauce variety, takes a bit more time to prepare, but I think you and your loved ones will be thrilled with the results. Prepare a fresh salad, make some homemade garlic bread, and serve with a delicious beverage and these pasta dishes will make you the talk of the neighborhood. ( Hey, the neighbors are going to talk anyway, might as well be glowing accolades instead of hearsay and innuendo. :)

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Penne and Alfredo ( quick and easy)
1 15 oz. Jar of Ragu Alfredo Sauce (if your feeling creative, follow this link Alfredo Sauce, for a homemade recipe)
½ lb. Dried Penne Pasta
½ lb. Lean smoked Ham (diced)
½ lb. Frozen Sweet Peas
1 small onion (finely diced)
¼ cup Parmesan Cheese
½ t. Garlic Powder
1 T. Oregano or Italian Seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
Prepare the Pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with Cold Water. Place the pasta in a bowl along with the spices and Alfredo sauce. Blend well. Add the Ham, Onion, and Peas and mix thoroughly. Please contents in a 2 Quart casserole dish and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top. Bake 20-25 minutes in a preheated 350 degree F. Oven. Serve hot.