This little dish I call Faster Pasta lives up to its name – you can have it on the table in under 20 minutes, making it perfect for those busy nights when everyone is hungry and dinner needs to happen fast.
It’s also one of the cheapest family dinners you’ll make. I often whip it up when the fridge is looking a little bare and I need to use up leftover vegetables, bacon or bits and pieces before the next grocery shop. Despite the simple ingredients, it’s packed with flavour and easily feeds a family of four for just a few dollars.
The recipe below uses homemade spaghetti, which keeps the cost even lower and gives the dish a delicious fresh flavour. If you’ve never made your own pasta before, a pasta machine takes most of the hard work out of it and can quickly pay for itself if your family eats pasta regularly. Here’s what I used for years:
The recipe basics are below, but honestly, you can throw in almost any odds and ends from the fridge and it’ll still work a treat.
Why You’ll Love Faster Pasta
- Ready in under 20 minutes
- Made with simple, affordable ingredients
- Perfect for using up leftovers
- Easy to customise with whatever is in the fridge
- Great for busy weeknights
- Family-friendly and budget-conscious
- A simple way to reduce food waste
Faster Pasta – Super Fast Way to Use Up Leftovers
A quick and budget-friendly pasta recipe for busy nights.
4
servings5
minutes12
minutes380
kcal17
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients
250 gram Bacon rashers
1 small Brown onion
2 tsp Granulated Garlic
0.5 number red Capsicum-chopped finely
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp butter
1/2 cups Cheddar cheese
Homemade Spaghetti
2 cups plain flour-sifted
1 number free range egg
Equipment
Directions
- TO MAKE THE PASTA IN A PASTA MACHINE
- Measure out two exact cups of plain flour and add to the machine.
- Add the egg to a measuring cup.
- Pour in enough water over the top of the egg to make 110ml of water/egg mixture.
- Pour the watery egg mixture into the machine.
- Close and press ‘Two Cups’.
- Ensure the ‘Spaghetti’ maker is on the end. Place a plate underneath the catcher to collect the fresh pasta.
- To cook
- Add the spaghetti to a large pot of salted water. Cook for five minutes, then drain and serve right away.
- TO COOK THE FASTER PASTA MIXTURE
- Preheat a frypan and add the olive oil, garlic and chopped brown onion. Cook until fragrant and soft.
- Add the finely chopped bacon and capsicum and cook well until caramelised.
- Add the teaspoon of butter to the bacon mix and allow to melt before mixing through the cooked spaghetti.
- Stir well to combine before distributing the meal amongst the four plates.
Notes
- Faster Pasta is best enjoyed fresh, straight from the pan while the pasta is still tender and the cheese is melted through.
- While it isn’t ideal for freezing, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days and reheated gently in a frypan or microwave.
More Budget-Friendly Family Dinners
If you’re trying to keep grocery costs down, you’ll also love our Frugal Meal Ideas collection, packed with easy dinners that feed the family without costing a fortune.
What’s your favourite ingredient to throw into a quick pasta dinner? Let us know in the comments below.
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