Noodles in White Sauce

Another family fave, and really easy!

1 box pasta (elbows, or shells work best)
1 can fat free evaporated milk (regular can be used)
2 Tbsp butter
salt/pepper to taste

Cook pasta as directed on the box. Drain pasta reserving 1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid. Return pasta, reserved water, evaporated milk and butter to pan. Warm until butter melts. Salt and Pepper to taste.

Sour Cream and Chive Pasta

1 box of pasta noodles
1 cup fat free evaporated milk
2/3 cup reduced fat sour cream
2 Tbsp fresh chives, chopped
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Cook pasta per package instructions. Once pasta is drained stir in the evaporated milk, sour cream, butter, chives, and garlic. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes stirring frequently. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Optional 2nd recipe

After making the above recipe place the pasta in the refrigerator and chill. After pasta is cooled stir in 3 strips of cooked bacon (crumbled), 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded), and 1/2 cup frozen peas (thawed) and chill.
Serve cold.
Ham can be substituted for the bacon.

Hamburger Skillet Dish

1 lb ground chuck
1 bag egg noodles
2 envelopes brown gravy mix
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup milk
1 can sliced mushrooms (optional)
1 tsp onion powder
1 clove garlic, minced
salt
pepper

Brown ground chuck in dutch oven, add garlic and cook another 2 minutes and drain off grease. Cook pasta as directed. In separate sauce pot mix the water, milk, and gravy mix and bring to a slow boil. Pour gravy mix and noodles in dutch oven with beef and add mushrooms, onion powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir and allow to simmer together for 3 minutes stirring frequently.

Noodles in Red Sauce

This is a favorite of my children, it makes a great lunch.

Ingredients:
1 box pasta (shells or elbows work best)
1 can Tomato Sauce
Water
Salt
Mozzarella, shredded (optional)

Prepare pasta as directed on box (I usually find shaving a couple of minutes off the instructed cooking time results in desired al dente of the pasta), using the entire box. When draining water off of al dente pasta reserve 1 1/2 cups of the cooking liquid. Place the reserved water, pasta and tomato sauce in pot and stir. Allow to cook just long enough for the tomato sauce to warm.
Serve in bowls topped with mozzarella cheese.

This makes a soup of sorts that is hard to beat on a winter day. For a thinner soup like dish reserve more cooking liquid, for a thicker pasta type dish reserve less cooking liquid.
This recipe lends itself to many variations. Try tossing in one or more of these to create your custom version: minced garlic, basil, oregano, Parmesan, cooked chicken- cut in bite size pieces, ground beef- browned.