Independent

Pasta and sauce is a childhood staple; for baby’s first taste, try this version the whole family can enjoy. Use a slotted spoon to pull out al dente pasta for the adults to eat, and cook the rest of the pasta until it is soft for baby.

Many toddlers have an aversion to strong flavours; this pasta dish is mild but tasty enough for the whole family to enjoy. Older children may appreciate a garnish of chopped green onions and crumbled cooked bacon.

Twelve cloves of garlic may seem like a lot, but don’t worry! Blanching the garlic in boiling water mellows it out.

Picky eaters in your family? Gently expand their palates with this comfort-food favourite that takes a mac ‘n cheese staple and modifies it slightly.

Spring flavours of peas and fresh herbs infuse this light pasta toss. Whole wheat pasta supplies lots of fibre, but you could also use our omega penne pasta- it’s almost as high in fibre but with the added benefits of omega-3 fat.

If you’ve never cooked with spaghetti squash, you’ll be amazed by how the cooked flesh pulls apart into spaghetti-like strands. In this spaghetti and meatball dish, it actually takes the place of pasta.

A classic Italian eggplant sauce gets a healthy makeover! Eggplant can soak up a lot of oil; we’ve reduced the amount here, and added a healthier pasta choice than the standard white pasta. Feel free to increase the hot pepper flakes.

We gave normally evil pasta carbonara a healthy remake, by substituting turkey bacon, omitting the cream and using omega eggs and pasta. Still indulgent, but an indulgence you can afford on a regular basis!

What family doesn’t like pasta and meatballs? Frozen angus beef meatballs beat making home-made on a busy night. Streamline the cooking time by making the tomato sauce while the meatballs cook in the oven.

Normally cooked uncovered in lots of boiling water and then drained, the pasta in this dish is simmered covered in stock in a method reminiscent of pilaf. Spinach and feta give this dish a Mediterranean feel.

We’ve kept the fat down in this tasty ham-pasta salad by mainly using puréed peas for the dressing. Great for a potluck or picnic.

In true Italian style, this pasta is sparsely sauced. This delicious tossed pasta comes together in minutes. Serve with a green salad and a tumbler of wine.

Pasta e fagioli or pasta and beans is pure comfort, and inexpensive to boot. The pasta in this hearty vegetarian soup continues to absorb liquid as it sits, so you may have to thin leftovers with some more water or stock.

A lemony butter sauce with pancetta and peppery arugula dress up cheese tortellini. Saving a bit of pasta cooking water is always a good idea; it bulks up the sauce but is thicker than water as it has some starch from the cooked pasta in it.

For kids who are fussy eaters, try hiding mashed sweet potato in this clever mac and cheese; it has the orange colour that many kids expect. Pasta absorbs more sauce as it stands so when reheating, add a splash of milk to attain desired consistency.

There’s no need to feel guilty about indulging in this creamy pasta dressed with our fat free Greek yogurt

Fennel has a slight licorice flavour, and is a commonly partnered with fish or seafood. You can use orange or lemon rind as you prefer; any citrus makes a great foil for fish. This recipe is a great way to stretch a can of tuna to feed six, without anyone feeling deprived.

Buying chicken pieces on the bone and with skin is more economical than buying them skinned or boned. You can easily remove the skin or bones yourself, as required in your recipe. Boning chicken breasts is easiest to do with a thin, flexible boning knife.

Some of the classic pizza flavours appear in this yummy pasta dish. If some of your family like spice and some don’t, simply put the hot pepper flakes on the table so everyone can add to their own serving, perhaps accompanied by PC 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese, just like they have on the tables of Italian pizza places.

Cooking the macaroni separately keeps the wheat flavour from overwhelming the finished soup.

No need to pay for delivery- you can easily make this classic take-out dish at home! Faster and fresher.

This beautiful and piquant salad makes a stunning summer entertaining dish.

Colourful and delicious, this warming dish makes a satisfying meal on a cold night.

For families that don’t eat fish, getting enough omega-3 can be a problem. PC Blue Menu Omega 3 Pasta helps you rise to the challenge.