Lately, many of us are trying to make a conscious effort to cut down on our frequent trips for grocery shopping. Some of us do not even go out for groceries, but choose a handy delivery option instead. Often though, our dinning plans are based on what we have in our pantry, and whatever few pieces of vegetables might be lurking in our produce drawer.
On those days, I find myself reaching for a box of pasta knowing that the possibilities are many (even if our pantry is not fully stocked or the fresh produce we have on hand is rather limited). The truth is that you do not need much to prepare a simple, wholesome pasta dish: a fresh herb or a vegetable we might have in our crisper, or, a small amount of a protein we might find in the freezer; it is that simple!
For this week’s post, I put together a roundup of some of my favorite, simple pasta dinners that have been in rotation in my house the last couple of months. Paired with a crispy salad, or, some leftover grilled or braised vegetables, dinner can be ready in half an hour and everybody is happy. Somehow a pasta dinner, no matter how simple, never disappoints!
Simple Pasta Dinners with (mostly) Pantry Ingredients
Zucchini, Fresh Herb and Garlic Pasta
Spaghetti with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp
Easy Rigatoni with Broccoli and Chicken
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These pasta recipes are so perfect during the pandemic, Marilena! We appreciate your sensitivity to the fact that most of us are not wanting to frequent the grocery stores any more often that is necessary right now! I’ve tried many of these pasta dishes before; and they are all delicious!!
Thank you so much Sara for sharing this! It makes me so happy to know that you have been trying my recipes and that you like them!
Hi, Marilena. It’s been way too long since I left a comment. We’ve tried the Pasta Aglio e Olio, your chicken tenders with a buttermilk marinade and parmesan/panko crust, that wonderful rustic bread and we’ve had three of your kebab recipes, including the souvlakia one (which we’d never tried before). William is home from college and when we’re looking for inspiration in the kitchen, we just head to Marilena’s Kitchen and we know we’ll find something fabulous! Everything has been delicious, but the chicken tenders and the souvlakia kebabs have already made our “most favorite” list. All so great. Thank you, thank you, thank you! For always taking the time to come up with special, delicious recipes to bring us together in the kitchen and at the dinner table! Hope all the Leavitt are doing well during this crazy time.
Hi Sandy! So wonderful to hear from you…. it seems like you have been trying several of my recipes lately… I am so happy you and the kids had success with them and that several have become your favorite recipes! You are right, a simple and satisfying meal always brings everybody together in the kitchen and the dinner table:) That is my favorite thing about cooking and trying new recipes!