Presto Pasta Nights #270 {roundup}

It's no secret that people love their pasta.  Heck, people love noodles in all sizes, shapes, and forms.  Comfort food.  Simple meals.  Versatile.  Delicious.  Sweet and Tangy.  Colorful.  Life-Saver.  Hearty, yet light.  Creamy.  Zippy.  Nutricious.  Dependable.  Just a few of the words and phrases used to decribe the pasta in this week's Presto Pasta Nights submissions.   And each and every sentiment is true.

Contributions range from semolina-based favorites like rigatoni, macaroni, orzo, fusilli, and spaghetti to quinoa and kelp noodles to soba noodles to zucchini noodles.

We have hearty, meaty main dishes, veggie-laden dishes in creamy sauces (one just may include avocado), dishes with tofu, vegan dishes, and dishes that can be eaten as sides or piled high to make meals.

We have a raw dish.  We have gluten-free dishes.  There's even a salad in there.  And the chile peppers were not forgotten this week, either.

Cheese sauce? Creamy sauce?  Tomato-based sauce?  Almond Butter based-sauce?  Oh yeah, they're all here.

If you're ready for some pasta...for some noodles...for some inspiration for what to make in your kitchen this week -- look no further!  Okay, a little further.  Because that inspiration lies below...

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First up is a visually stunning Sweet & Tangy Almond Noodle Delight from Gluten Free Happy Tummy that isn't only easy on the eyes, but also on the tummy as it is gluten-free, vegan, & body ecology diet friendly.

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Next up, from Warteg Gaziantep is this Cheesy Rigatoni that some lucky soul received in their lunchbox.  I only wish it had been my lunch box.

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I have a real weakness for any dish with pressed and glazed tofu in it.  And if you coat it and some soba noodles in a luscious sauce like this one from Truth Personified, my knees just buckle.  Check out these Hot and Sweet Glazed Tofu with Soba Noodles.

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Color and crunch and the flavor of basil.  Pasta in a creamy white sauce with mushrooms.  That's what's happening over at Cooking Escapades with this mouthwatering Pasta in Mushroom Sauce with Basil Flavoured Spicy Vegetables.

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Cooking My Way through my CSA cooked up a delightful pasta salad her way - with whole wheat orzo, rapini, cannellini beans, almonds, lemon zest, and feta (for a start).  I know I'd be delighted to try her Rapini and Orzo Salad ...along with a glass of "knitting juice" please!

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Deb over at Kahakai Kitchen is up to her usual shenanigans again.  And by shenanigans, I mean veganizing a dish I already love and still making me want to eat it.  Though I'm a happy carnivore, I'd be ecstatic to try Deb's Salsa Mac-n-Cheeze (Vegan) . Seriously?  YUM!

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And for my next meal, I'll be heading over to Baker's Corner because I, too love beating this insane heating by making a tempting all-in-one meal, like this Pasta with Zucchini and Ricotta Polpette.  It may even make me forget that heat for while...

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Culinary Adventures with Camilla julienned her way to an amazing gluten-free pasta option that includes not only zucchini, but also almonds, thyme, and mint.  This  Zucchini "Pasta" Salad w/ Almonds {raw} is another great idea for the dog-days of summer!

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My first time hearing of kelp noodles was this week over at The Taste Space.  I am so intrigued to try them, especially if they include a sauce that is both light and creamy.  And contains avocados like this Creamy Green on Green Pasta (Raw Kelp Noodles and Broccoli w/ a Creamy Lemon-Basil Whipped Avocado Sauce).

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Nearing the end, we have this incredibly mouthwatering skillet full of Chicken & Kale Pasta - Asian Style from PPN creator Ruth from Once Upon a Feast.  She was inspired to make it from many a different source...including detectives eating chinese takeout, Pinterest, a trip to the market, and a pantry scour.  My kinda meal.

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And to bring things full-circle, take a gander at this delicious mingling of Mexican and Italian all in one bowl, my Pasilla Bolognese Spaghetti that I posted here at girlichef to kick things off a week ago.  The chiles lend an earthy, almost raisin-esque note that when combined with a tomato base and finished with some crema is meal-time bliss.

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Thanks so much to everybody who sent their noodle-filled dishes my way this week, it was a pleasure hosting Presto Pasta Nights for the third time!  Be sure to send your noodle and pasta dishes over to PPN creator Ruth at Once Upon a Feast next week (ruth @ 4EveryKitchen . com), as she will be hosting the next round...round number 271!

And if you're looking for more pasta inspiration, you can check out ALL of the past Presto Pasta Nights roundups.  Ummm, yeah.  That would be 269 roundups before this one.  Literally, THOUSANDS of dishes.  Insane!