Did you know that the average American eats around 20 pounds of pasta per year, while Italians consume about 60 pounds? Tossed with red sauce, white sauce, or green sauce, meat, veggies, or cheese, noodles come in all shapes and sizes and are one of the most economical foods you can buy. So grab a pound of your favorite variety and whip up these creative crowd-pleasers.

Indulge in Giada’s Angel Hair Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Goat Cheese. The fresh cheese melts perfectly atop chewy sun-dried tomatoes and adds a creamy touch to the sauce-less dish.

Want to try something healthier? You can feel great about Ellie Krieger’s Tricolore Penne Pasta With Chicken from cookingchanneltv.com. Whole-wheat pasta is packed with protein and fiber to leave you feeling full, and fresh herbs add punches of flavor without the fat.

No need to be intimidated by fresh clams anymore! Food2.com’s easy Linguine With White Clams is a cinch to make and will surely impress your guests. The recipe calls for classic Italian ingredients, like extra-virgin olive oil, white wine, garlic and some red pepper flakes for heat.

Not sure what to do with leftover cooked noodles? Add some bacon and mushrooms and make last night's pasta dinner do double duty with Food.com’s Pasta Frittata With Mushrooms.