My favorite pasta recipe.

We love pasta and eat a lot of it in our house and it's definitely a staple we keep on hand. While I tend to eat whole wheat pastas my husband is a white pasta eater only. One of my favorite pasta recipes growing up is still my favorite today, macaroni and cheese! But this is just not traditional mac and cheese, this one has tomato juice in it which gives it much more flavor. You must give this recipe a try! It's great with either white or whole wheat pasta. I find that it has more flavor when it's served luke warm. Strange I know!


Tomato Mac and Cheese
1 pkg elbow macaroni (I have also used other types of pasta, it all tastes good!)
1 large can of tomato juice
1 lb sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (or you can use a variety of cheeses)
salt and pepper to taste
optional: bacon for topping

Cook pasta and drain. Mix in shredded cheese and tomato juice. Salt and pepper to taste. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 glass dish. Top with uncooked bacon slices if you wish. Bake at 350 degrees until hot and bubbly in the center which is approximately 45 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

If you aren't fond of cooking pasta or short on time, head to Carraba's for some of their new delish pasta dishes. Make sure you take the Carrabba's Pasta Personality Quiz on Facebook before you go! I took the quiz and my results said Spaghetti. While I love spaghetti, I'm surprised my results didn't say Fettuccine Alfredo because that is always what I order out. However, I must say that the 'personality' part of it is pretty accurate ;-)

Carrabba’s Signature Pasta Meals and New Limited Time Offers
Signature Pasta Meals, featuring seven distinctive dishes served with choice of soup or fresh salad starting at $10. There’s no better place than Carrabba’s to enjoy a complete Italian meal – any day of the week.

CARRABBA’S PASTA: Carrabba’s makes every pasta dish by hand with the freshest ingredients.  Pasta is cooked perfectly every time and signature sauces are made from scratch daily. Creative flavors and combinations of ingredients are part of Carrabba’s authentic family recipes as well as new creations.

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Now through July 2011.
Featured Signature Pasta Meal:
Pasto Rambo – Named for the chef who created it, it’s made with shrimp tossed with imported Italian linguine, spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes sautéed in our basil lemon butter sauce. Lobster is available instead of shrimp for an additional cost.

Other Limited Time Offers:
Parmesan-crusted Chicken – Topped with fresh arugula and grape tomatoes tossed in a hand-prepared lemon vinaigrette, served with choice of side. Substitution of wood-grilled chicken also available. Pairs well with Estancia Pinot Grigio.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin – Three pork tenderloin medallions wrapped with prosciutto, wood-grilled and topped with an apple and fig infused port wine sauce, served with the vegetable of the day. Pairs well with Coppola Pinot Noir.

Limoncello Bread Pudding – Back by popular demand! Brioche bread pudding made with fresh Madagascar vanilla beans and a rich custard, served hot out of the oven. Topped with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream and drizzled with Carrabba’s homemade Caravella Limoncello liqueur sauce.

Now Introducing:
Peach Sangria – Carrabba’s new light and fruity Peach Sangria blends Copper Ridge White Zinfandel, Absolut Apeach vodka and Patrón Citrónge with a splash of citrus. Topped with a fresh lemon wedge and strawberry, it’s a taste of the Amalfi Coast in spring.

Locations: Visit www.carrabbas.com for the closest Carrabba’s location. There are more than 230 locations nationwide.

About Carrabba’s:
Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola founded the first Carrabba’s Italian Grill in 1986 in Houston, Texas. Today, there are 232 Carrabba’s Italian Grill locations around the country, run by passionate local proprietors focused on delighting guests with fresh, made-to-order Italian cuisine and the ultimate dining experience. Carrabba’s serves dinner seven nights a week in a casual environment that pairs innovative dishes and a complementary wine list with abundant hospitality. For on-the-go guests, Carrabba’s also offers convenient Carside Carry-Out. To learn more about Carrabba’s, please visit www.carrabbas.com.

Carrabba’s Pasta Personality Quiz on Facebook - Take the quiz to see how your personality compares to some of Carrabba’s signature pasta dishes! http://www.facebook.com/Carrabbas?sk=app_142632109083371

Follow Carrabba’s on Twitter: @Carrabba’s

Carrabba’s on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/Carrabbas

So tell me, what is your favorite pasta dish? 

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Carrabba’s blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.