Recipes: 3 Simple & Quick Pasta Dishes

by Sandra Calise Cenatiempo 09/27/2020

Image by Дарья Яковлева from Pixabay

Being short on time is no reason to not enjoy a healthy meal at home. These three quick and easy pasta dishes whip up in a mere 30 minutes or less, giving you plenty of time to even to the dishes before you could be in and out of a drive thru lane.

20-Minute Lemon Pepper Pasta with Shrimp

Fast and delicious, this delightfully light and healthy recipe can be made with many staple ingredients you likely keep on hand.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 Lb. Dry Twisted, Tube or Fusilli Pasta
  • 1 Lb. Medium Shrimp, Small or Medium, Peeled and Deveined
  • 1 Cup Fresh Broccoli, Spinach or Kale, Chopped (May Sub Frozen)
  • 1/3 Cup Dry White Wine
  • 1/4 Cup Basil Pesto
  • 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated
  • 1/2 Tsp. Course Black Pepper
  • 1 Lemon
  • 1 Tsp. Salt
  • 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
  • Cooking Directions

    Prepare the pasta following the packages directions. Meanwhile, put the olive oil in a large nonstick sauté pan or skillet. Heat to medium and add shrimp. Cook for two minutes before turning. Add your vegetable/s of choice to the pan along with the lemon zest. Sprinkle with pepper and salt to taste and cook for 1 to 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and drain pasta. Toss pasta with shrimp mixture, cheese and pesto.

    Pasta & Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce

    This 15 minute recipe is bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors, and is a light and healthy meal that is excellent cold or hot.

    Ingredients

  • 1 Lb. Dry Pasta
  • 3 Pints Cherry Tomatoes
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, Finely Chopped
  • 1 Cup Fresh Basil, Coarsely Chopped
  • 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
  • 1/2 Tsp. Ground Black Pepper
  • Pinch of Sugar
  • Grated Parmesan for Serving
  • Cooking Instructions

    Prepare pasta in boiling water and a pinch of Kosher salt until desired level of firmness. Transfer pasta to a large bowl and set aside. Heat olive oil in a heavy, medium sized skillet over medium-high heat. Slowly introduce the garlic and tomatoes and sprinkle over seasonings and sugar and salt to taste. Cook for approximately 6-8 minutes until the cherry tomatoes burst and create a juicy sauce. Top pasta with the sauce and basil. Top with parmesan if desired.

    One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta

    This one pot wonder will leave everyone wanting a second serving. It’s a quick fix that doesn’t make a big mess and takes less than half an hour to prep and cook.

  • 16 Oz. Linguini Pasta
  • 4 1/2 Cups Vegetable Broth
  • 15 Oz. Diced Tomatoes in Liquid
  • 4 Garlic Cloves, Thinly Sliced
  • 1 Sweet Onion, Julienned 1/4 Strips
  • 1 Bunch Basil, Diced
  • 2 Tbsp. EV Olive Oil
  • 2 Tsp. Oregano, Dried
  • 1/4 Tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
  • Parmesan for Garnish
  • Cooking Instructions

    Pour vegetable broth in a large stock pot, and add pasta, onion, tomatoes and garlic. Sprinkle the oregano and pepper on top and drizzle with olive oil. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Cook until liquid has mostly evaporated and season to taste. Add basil leaves to mixture, top with parmesan and serve.

    These easy, delicious, and healthy meals in less than 30 minutes take the stress out of cooking and clean up quickly.

    About the Author
    Author

    Sandra Calise Cenatiempo

    Sandra Calise-Cenatiempo, your number one source for Westport Real Estate, Weston Real Estate, Fairfield Real Estate, Trumbull Real Estate, Norwalk Real Estate, Redding Real Estate, and surrounding towns.