Meatless Monday – Now on Tuesday!

January 17, 2023 /

Today, Ted had plans to go to dinner with some coworkers from his last job, friends he hasn’t seen in ages and misses. That left Maya and me at home for dinner, which to me means pasta, and to Maya means vegetarian. I thought of recipes I’ve made before, and decided that instead, I would look at what we had already and make something out of it. I had just cleaned out the fridge and cupboard the other day, so I knew what we had. The result was a delicious and satisfying meal, and I’m writing down the ‘recipe’ for next time. Amounts? However much you want.

Fusilli with Pesto, Sun Dried Tomatoes, Peas, Grape Tomatoes, and Parmesan

Ingredients

  • Fusilli
  • Pesto
  • Sun Dried Tomatoes in oil, diced
  • Frozen Peas
  • Grape Tomatoes, halved or quartered
  • Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Cream or milk, optional

While you cook the fusilli in boiling, salted water, dice your sun dried tomatoes, and slice your grape tomatoes. When the pasta is almost finished, add your peas to the water. When they are finished, drain. Into the pot, add a bit of extra virgin olive oil, then your grape tomatoes. Sauté for a minute or two, then add sun dried tomatoes and pesto. If you feel like it, add a little cream or milk. Add in pasta and peas, and a bunch of cheese. Mix well, pour into serving bowl, and sprinkle with more cheese.

I think this would have been good with a little fresh basil as well, but we didn’t have any. Next time.

16 Comments

  • Margaret

    January 17, 2023 at 9:31 pm

    I would definitely have two helpings of that AND it’s pretty! It’s also an easy recipe to modify with different pasta or more cheese(s). (my mantra: more cheeses!)

  • Elisabeth

    January 18, 2023 at 5:48 am

    Yum! This looks so good. Often, my favourite meals are those “simply” ones with fresh, bright flavours. And I agree with Margaret: it’s so pretty, which is always a nice bonus.

    • J

      January 18, 2023 at 10:17 am

      Beckett, I am not usually a ‘however much you want’ type person, I usually follow recipes. But this one was just thrown together and I just cooked how much I had. So there you go. Enjoy your pasta, whatever kind you make!

  • Lisa of Lisa's Yarns

    January 18, 2023 at 10:26 am

    Yum! That looks so good! My mom is masterful at coming up with meals based on what she has on hand. She was also good at repurposing things, like turning a leftover roast into something else, like chow mein was a common thing she made w/ leftovers when I was a child, although the protein she used was not something you’d traditional make chow mein with, but it worked! I am terrible at this. I don’t even like when a recipe says “salt and pepper to taste.” Ha!

    • J

      January 20, 2023 at 6:26 pm

      I’m not great at coming up with meals this way, usually I follow a recipe. So when I do it, and it works, I am pretty much thrilled!

  • nance

    January 18, 2023 at 2:03 pm

    I could eat like this all the time, but Rick requires meat. This pasta would be good with fresh spinach also instead of peas for those who don’t have or don’t care for them.

    • J

      January 18, 2023 at 4:15 pm

      I’m with you 100% on both points, Nance. It would be pretty easy for me to be at least mostly vegetarian, but Ted needs meat as well.

    • J

      January 19, 2023 at 6:04 am

      San, I had the rest of it for lunch yesterday, it was definitely delicious! I wish my husband could eat pasta, I would make it more often. But it could make it into our menu via the ‘two meal solution’, where I make one thing for him and something else for us. Happens sometimes.

  • Jenny

    January 21, 2023 at 5:10 am

    Yum! This looks great. This is also a typical meal around our house when we don’t have anything else planned. When my son was home he convinced me to get a basil plant, which is now sitting on my kitchen windowsill. i have fresh basil ALL THE TIME and it is amazing!

    • J

      January 21, 2023 at 9:30 am

      Fresh basil is so great! I have grown it a few times in summer, but never brought it inside for winter. Our kitchen windowsill is pretty crowded with plants already…I wonder if I could unload a few and replace one with basil?