Pressed for time? Easy Spinach Manicotti-the name says it all-goes together in minutes. Wholesome one-dish meals like Speedy Skillet Macaroni and simple no-cook sauces like Angel Hair with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce make dinnertime a breeze. Even a dish as sophisticated as sweet-and-sour Linguine with Chili Scallops is amazingly quick to prepare.
Bored with the same old elbows and spaghetti strands? Shape up with less common varieties like saucer-shaped Orecchiette with Beans and Broccoli Rabe or ruffly Radiatore Ratatouille. And don't overlook tiny pastas like orzo (Saffron Orzo with Corn) and couscous (Couscous with Almonds and Apricots), either.
Expecting company? For casual get-togethers, serve succulent Chicken and Mushroom Rigatoni or nutrient-rich Spinach Pesto Penne. More formal dinner party guests will swoon over elegant Creamy Shrimp over Fusilli, deliciously rich but low in fat. And for backyard barbecues, Easy Macaroni Salad or Ditalini and White Bean Salad are sure to earn you rave reviews.
Craving international adventure? Delicious exotic dishes like Thai Seasoned Beef and Noodles, Asian Orzo and Shrimp, Indian-inspired Quick Chicken Curry over Couscous, and Mediterranean-style Tomato and Fusilli Salad with Feta Dressing allow you to sample the world's cuisines-well beyond the borders of Italy-without ever leaving the dinner table. For regional tastes a little closer to home, try Southwest Corn Salsa over Angel Hair or Mafalda with Cajun Catfish.
Between the covers of Mad About Macaroni, you'll also find family-friendly meals like Tex-Mex Rotelle Bake (kids love the wagon wheels!) and Cheesy Macaroni and Cauliflower (no one will suspect you of sneaking in those vegetables!); a chapter of meatless meals sure to please vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike; instructions on how to cook a perfect noodle every time; and advice on which shapes and sauces pair together best.
Like all of the volumes in Rodale's New Classics series, Mad About Macaroni emphasizes ease and simplicity, tantalizing flavors, and adventuresome fun for the whole family. Are you ready for a culinary walk on the wild side? Then Mad About Macaroni is what you need.
