Not every dish on this list will make a well-rounded, nutritionally balanced meal. Not everything on this list is something that you might want to serve to company.  But, they are filling and tasty and can be made for very little.

1. Pasta with butter – simply boil your favorite pasta, drain, and  return to the pot.  Immediately add a few pats of unsalted butter, stirring well to coat.  Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
2. Pasta with broth – heat a couple of cans of broth on the stove until hot.  Ladle over cold pre-cooked pasta and serve.  In a pinch you can make “broth” with water a few bouillon cubes
3. Pasta with garlic and oil (Aglio E Olio) – saute 3 or 4 garlic cloves (chopped) in about 1/2 cup of oil until beginning to brown, add 1 lb of drained cooked pasta to pan (along with 2 Tbsp of reserved cooking water), and toss to coat
4. Pasta Asian Style – in 2 or 3 Tbsp of oil, saute a couple of chopped garlic cloves and some thinly sliced onion until soft,  add some shredded carrots and zucchini, cook until soft.  Add a pound of precooked cold spaghetti to pan, toss to coat, adding a few splashes of soy sauce.  Cook until beginning to brown on edges.
5. Pasta with peas – boil 1 lb. of shell shaped pasta, drain, and return to pot.  Immediately add 8 oz of frozen peas and a couple of pats of butter.  Stir well to coat and then mix in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
6. Pasta with marinara sauce – in a Tbsp or two of oil, saute 3 or 4 cloves of garlic (chopped) until tender.  Add 2 28 oz cans of crushed tomatoes and allow to simmer for at least 1 hour. Season to taste with salt pepper and any herbs you desire.
7. Pasta with lentil sauce – a marinara sauce enhanced with lentils as a vegan protein source (link is to our recipe)
8. Mexican style pasta – saute a chopped onion and a diced bell pepper  in about 1 Tbsp oil until soft, add a 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes, cook for about an hour.  Pour over 1 lb of pre-cooked pasta, mix well, and stir in 8 oz. of shredded cheddar cheese
9. Linguine with clam sauce – use the marinara sauce as a guide.  Drain 2 6.5 oz canned of chopped clams, adding liquid when you add the crushed tomatoes and the clams only during the last 15 minutes
10. Pasta with Pink sauce – make basic marinara sauce, at end of cooking time add 1/2-1 cup heavy cream and cook for an additional 10 minutes
11. Pasta with Chili – make a batch of our vegetarian chili and serve on a bed of shells, wagon wheels, or any smallish pasta shape to stretch it further

Enjoy!

Jia

Image: africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Related posts:

1. Stop Food Shopping Whether your wallet is feeling the pinch of a lost paycheck, the holiday season, or...