The family schedules are back into full swing, so that means full days at work, back-to-school, and after-school activities. There’s no time to slave over the stove for hours keeping all the bellies full, so just try these easy pasta recipes. Not only are they quick and easy to make– they require only three steps!–they’re delicious and nutritious (as Mos Def said in “Brown Sugar”). Here are three simple pasta sauces that you can make in a flash:
Sage Butter Sauce
1. Melt 1 1/2 sticks of butter in a pan, add sage. (This dish is usually made with pine nuts. If your older kids like them, add those as well. The younger kids may have trouble chewing them and you should skip them because they could choke.)
2. Allow to cook for two minutes, then add salt and pepper to taste.
3. Pour the sauce over ravioli.
Vodka Sauce
1. Pour 3 cups of store bought Marinara sauce into a pot and heat.
2. Add 1 cup of vodka and cook for 20 minutes (the alcohol will cook off ), add 1/2 cup heavy cream, and a 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste.
3. Serve over spaghetti.
Spicy Pesto
1. To make the pesto, in a blender add and pulse: 1/2 cup walnuts, 2 cloves of garlic, red or green jalapeno pepper (use gingerly, you can always add more later), 1 cup Asiago cheese, 1 cup baby spinach, 1/2 cup arugula and 1/4 cup olive oil.
2. Blend until smooth, adding more olive oil if necessary.
3. Toss with rotini noodles. Yes, it’s green, but let the kids taste it before they turn their noses up!
Add protein to any of these dishes for more nutrition with a piece of grilled chicken, fish or shrimp.
