Dat Baked Rotini, tho...

12 oz rotini
1/2-3/4 jar spaghetti sauce
4 mozzarella string cheeses
4 handfuls shredded parmesan cheese
5 slices provologne cheese
3-4 roma tomatoes <<YUUUUMMMMY
baby spinach (a few handfuls)

Cook and drain pasta.
While you're waiting for the water to boil and/or cooking the pasta, dice the roma tomatoes into chunks- a little bigger than you would for salsa. Thinly slice/shred the baby spinach. Cut the string cheeses up into little cubes, about 1/2".

Add the drained pasta to a big bowl.
Add the pasta sauce- it's up to you how much. How saucy do you want it?
Add the baby spinach, tomatoes, string cheese pieces, and 2 handfuls of the parmesan cheese. Mix that up well, then dump into a greased 9x13 dish (or a pretty deep 9x9 dish).
Cover with provologne slices, then sprinkle the last 2 handfuls of parmesan cheese over the top.

Cover this with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Check the pasta mix near the end; uncover for a little while if it seems too liquidy.

Tuscan Pasta

(You can add 1 pound of cooked chicken cut into strips to this if you'd like meat in there.)

Ingredients:
6 oz. Penne or Rotini Pasta (half a box)
1 can (15 oz) Great Northern Beans
1/2 cup Roasted Red Peppers, chopped
1 C Baby Spinach, chopped
1 clove Garlic, minced
1 teaspoon finely chopped Rosemary, preferably fresh
1 teaspoon broth
Fresh Parmesan cheese
1 lb. of chicken, if desired.

Directions:

1. If using chicken, cook the chicken and cut it into thin strips. Set aside.
2. Cook pasta according to directions.
3. Heat the broth in a large skillet. Add the beans, vegetables, and spices. Cook 3-5 minutes or until the spinach begins to wilt a little.
4. Toss with pasta (and add the chicken if you're using it).
5. Top with Parmesan cheese.

If you're using a box of pasta and you'd prefer to cook the entire box, just double the rest of the ingredients for a larger meal.

Summer Pasta Salad

You can make a vegetarian version of this recipe by leaving out the imitation crab meat.
It's fantastic with or without it!

Summer Pasta Salad
Makes enough for 6-8 people, depending on how much of everything you use.

Ingredients:
1 Small Box of Spaghetti (or other preferred pasta, such as drill bits)
1 Green Bell Pepper, Chopped into Bite-Size Pieces
1 Red Bell Pepper, Chopped into Bite-Size Pieces
1 Yellow Bell Pepper, Chopped into Bite-Size Pieces
1 Can Black Olives, Halved
1 Cup Brocolli Florets, Chopped into Bite-Size Pieces
1 Cup Snow Peas
1/2 Cup Grape Tomatoes, Halved
Other Veggies as desired
1 Package (chunks) Louis Kemp Imitation Crab Meat (if desired)
1/2 to 1 Full Small Bottle Italian Dressing (I use Kraft Free Zesty Italian)

Cook:
Cook entire box of spaghetti as directed on the box. Drain spaghetti, place in a large bowl, and place in the fridge to cool.

Place vegetables into a microwavable container. Add a little bit of water to the container, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave on High for about 3-4 minutes- just enough time to lightly steam the vegetables (or use a metal steamer). Vegetables should still be firm- don't over cook them.

Drain the vegetables and let them cool.

Break apart the crab meat into smaller chunks, slightly smaller than bite size (you can do this while the vegetables are cooking).

Mix the pasta, vegetables, crab meat, and 1/2 of the bottle of Italian dressing together in a very large bowl.
Adjust the Italian dressing to taste.

Refridgerate the pasta salad and let it cool completely before eating.
Prep Time: 1/2 hour. Cook time: 15 minutes.