Ever find yourself at work asking “what’s for dinner?” then find yourself sinking into some deep, dark tunnel with no way out? That or checking your account to calculate exactly how much take out will put you in the hole?
Well I’ve been in these scenarios and similar others on multiple occasions. In response, I came up with the idea of what I like to call “quick meals”. These meals are based off very few pre-prepped ingredients. Most are inexpensive so your pocket and time both win – score! I hope to share these meal ideas with others who are looking for something quick, easy and affordable to whip up after the long work day.
In this particular meal idea, I will be sharing a simple yet tasty pasta. Warning: it does contain mushrooms. The same vegetable that used to spook me as a child when I saw it growing out of the grass. (Yipes!) So if you’re not feeling the mushrooms like the young 9 to Fly Girl, then have no fear. The mushrooms can always be replaced with another seasoned veggie. Think eggplant, broccoli or perhaps zuchinni. It’s your meal – feel free to experiment.
[Mushrooms: Fresh and Easy (see link below); Alfredo Sauce: Market Pantry as sold by Target]
Ingredients:
Ready to Cook Stuffed Button Mushrooms (Fresh and Easy)
Spaghetti Noodles
Alfredo Sauce
Steps:
1) Put about 4 cups of water in a pot and boil. (As long as the pot is deep enough to contain the water and noodles without boiling over in step 2.)
2) Add spaghetti noodles and allow to cook. Tip: Add vegetable oil and a pinch of salt to the water.
3) Place about 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a sauce pan. Turn the stove burner on at a low heat and add the mushrooms. Increase heat to a medium setting. Note: I like to add the mushrooms stuffed side up in efforts to contain all the goodies while cooking.
4) Place cooked pasta (the noodles should be soft), in a strainer and rinse with cool water.
5) When the mushrooms are just about finished cooking, add the cooked noodles and alfredo sauce. Stir the ingredients to combine. (Don’t worry if the stuffed ingredients start merging with the alfredo at this point. It will all go down the same way. 🙂 )
6) Once all ingredients are cooked and heated to your desire – serve!
*If you really want to remix the remix, add meat. The cover photo to this post shows a version I tried with shrimp. (Says the seafood lover proudly.)*
Please let me know if you decide to try this recipe and how it turned out. Also let me know if you used any substitutions. I’d be happy to hear some new ideas for one of my favorite quick meals.
