My love for topping a carb with whatever you have on hand runs deep.
The response to my What I Cook When I Don’t Feel Like Cooking inspired me to show you seven different pull-together pasta dishes that are dolloped, seasoned, topped, and doctored up on nights I really don’t feel like making a “whole thing.”
Or, when I’m solo dining. This is my go-to girl dinner dinner.
Pepper & Pomodoro. Cook noodles until al dente; strain. In the same pasta pot, add a few tablespoons of olive oil and sauté a diced shallot and garlic clove. Add a handful of halved cherry tomatoes, then the pasta. Season with salt and generous black pepper. Top with parm if you have it.
Red Pepper & Parm. Cook noodles until al dente; strain. While warm, toss with red pepper flakes, salt, and parm. Plate and top again with all.
Simple Pasta al Limone. Cook noodles until al dente. Strain, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water, and return both the water and noodles to the pan over medium-low heat (enough for a simmer). Zest an entire lemon over the naked noodles. Season with salt and parm and toss until fully combined and the water is incorporated. Plate and juice 1/2 the lemon over the dish, then season again with salt, parm, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Tortellini Primavera with a Salad. Cook tortellini until al dente; strain. Heat olive oil in the same pan and add frozen peas and halved cherry tomatoes. Cook until just tender. Add tortellini back to the pot and season with salt and parm. Top with whatever salad you have on hand, like arugula.
Arugula & Bucatini. This is my all-time favorite. Cook noodles until al dente; strain. While warm, toss with olive oil, salt, and parm. Top with arugula, then dress the arugula with 1/2 lemon, salt, and more parm.
Pistachio Pasta. Cook pasta until al dente; strain. While warm, toss with chopped pistachios, a handful of chopped herbs, parm, and 1/2 lemon, juiced.
Sautéed Kale & Tomato. Cook pasta until al dente; strain. In the same pot, heat olive oil and sauté kale until just tender. Add pasta back to the pot and season with salt, olive oil, and parm. Top with chopped and seasoned (with salt) heirloom tomatoes.
I can't wait to try each and everyone of these. So easy and you don't need many ingredients. Pasta is my go to dinner!!!!