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October172009

Random Pasta Dinner

What to eat for dinner… this was the thought that was going through my head yesterday. It was one of those days… driving home from work and having no idea what to cook. Stopping by the store wasn’t an option, so I decided to make due with what we had. The result… Random Pasta Dinner. I was hesitant to put this recipe on the blog, but I figured, what the heck! Everyone gets in these binds, right?!?!

So, here is how you put together a “Random Pasta Dinner”

1) Start out with Pasta… I always buy whole wheat. This is what I used.

2)Then you want to find some sort of protein. My ideal choice would have been ground turkey… but we had none. I could have used a meat substitute like chickpeas or kidney beans… but we had none. What we did have was chicken sausage. Here is what I used.

Trader Joe’s sells the best chicken sausage! If you don’t have one by you, check your local grocery store. What we used was pretty spicy, but tasted goooood!

3) Veggies are a must. Did we have any veggies in the house? NO! What we did have was this

4) The final ingredient would be the sauce. If don’t have any type of pasta sauce in house, just glaze it with a little olive oil. We had Ragu Chunky Vegetable.


Method:

1) Chopped 1/2 onion

2) Drizzle pan with olive oil, cook onion for 5 minutes over medium high heat

3) While the onions are cooking, dice up the chicken sausage

4) Add the chicken sausage to the onions, let cook for about 8 minutes.

5) Cook pasta according to instructions on the box

6) Add sauce and let simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until pasta is cooked

The Final Product topped with a little feta cheese…

This dinner tasted delicious! I think what made it so good what the spiciness of the chicken sausage. It really added a lot of flavor to the dish.


8 Responses

  1. Kristen @ Simply Savor said on October 17, 2009 at 9:39 pm

    Yumm, this dinner looks delicious and so easy! I am loving the new Ragu Chunky Vegetable Sauce–i’ve been putting it on everything! I’ll have to keep any eye out for that chicken sausage though…nice way to spice up a dish. Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend 🙂

    • Estela - Weekly Bite said on October 18, 2009 at 8:02 am

      Thanks Kristin! This dinner came out surprisingly well! The Ragu Chunky Vegetable Sauce is pretty tasty 🙂

  2. Peanut Butter Bliss said on October 18, 2009 at 9:49 am

    i love how random pasta dishes always make the best meals. Whole Wheat Penne is my favorite 🙂

  3. Lele said on October 18, 2009 at 9:50 pm

    Oooh, did not know De Cecco makes whole wheat now! They make the BEST pasta! I will have to keep a lookout!

  4. Holly said on October 18, 2009 at 10:54 pm

    sometimes i think i shouldn’t post meals because they aren’t gourmet, but then i think, what the heck? i am a real person who eats real things. rock on for yummy, quick pasta!

  5. Lara (Thinspired) said on October 19, 2009 at 7:26 am

    What to eat for dinner is always what’s going through my head! 🙂 I bet this was delicious. I’ve made a similar thing with tomatoes, peppers, onions and chicken sausage. Something about the sausage and the pasta is really a good combination!

  6. Estela - Weekly Bite said on October 19, 2009 at 11:17 am

    Lara, you’re right… there is something about sausage and pasta… very good combo!

  7. anne said on October 21, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    Great meal idea! Looks delicious!

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