Tasty Pasta Recipes For Students
Pasta comes in all shapes and sizes, but contrary to the bad press surrounding the carb based food – it is healthy if cooked and prepared correctly.
Most importantly, it is also versatile, quick and easy; which is invaluable as a ‘hard-working’ and even harder-partying student.
The tasty pasta recipes below are perfect for keeping costs down, bellies full and taste buds buzzing.
So, are there any health benefits?
Due to the slower absorption and high fiber content, wholegrain pasta helps protect against insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and constipation; we in short yes. But make sure you’re choosing the right pasta; opt for wholegrain to get full access to its benefits.
If you’re watching your weight, good news; plain, cooked white pasta contains only 239 calories per 230g serving – around a medium portion. The misunderstanding that pasta is fattening lays in what you add to the pasta; if, for example, you team your pasta with a heavy, cream sauce such as Carbonara, the calorie intake will shoot up by 700.
Let’s get cooking
Great! Let’s get this party started. You have your pasta at the ready, now check out these tasty recipes; ingredients are simple, so before you go out and buy – check your fridge and cupboards.
Simple Pasta
Using dry pasta, boil the water and add a little oil to prevent the pasta from sticking (also limits washing up time!).
Once you’ve thrown the pasta into the water, add oil and garlic to a separate frying pan over a medium heat. It doesn’t need too long – the garlic shouldn’t turn brown.
With the pasta done, drain and toss in the pan with the garlic and oil, lastly adding chopped parsley and give it a stir around.
If you’re really treating yourself, sprinkle over some parmesan and you’re done in 10 minutes flat.
Tuna Pasta Bake
Preheat oven to 180 degrees and cook your pasta of choice according to packet instructions. (Go for fusilli or spirals – they just work better guys).
Whilst your pasta is cooking nicely, slice up some cheddar cheese – at least enough to cover the top of a medium sized baking dish -and then drain the pasta. Empty into an empty into baking dish and stir in a can of drained tuna (break up into bite-size chunks first). Finally, pour over three-quarters of a tin of tomato soup and top with that pre-sliced cheese. Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, or at least until the cheese is bubbling and golden in colour.
Skinny Carbonara
Boil up some spaghetti according to the instructions in boiling salted water – no oil here my friends. Finely chop some smoked streaky bacon (or you may prefer pancetta or parma ham) and fry without oil until crispy.
Tip: If you are using pancetta or parma ham you will only need to lightly colour as they are already cooked – and you will need a little oil.
Once the bacon is crispy add a teaspoon of butter or low fat spread. Once melted, add a courgette – pre chopped into cubes – and cook until soft. Keep in mind that the smaller you chop your courgette the less time this will take.
When cooked remove from the heat & set aside. Beat two egg yolks in a bowl and add parmesan chees – around five level teaspoons – plus two teaspoons of chives, two teaspoons of parsley, and five splashes of tobasco sauce. Throw in a load of pepper (freshly ground) and a little salt (you may not want to add salt as the cheese is quite salty and so is the bacon).
Drain the pasta whilst keeping back a little water in the pan (no more than 6 tablespoons) Add the egg and cheese concoction and stir in until the cheese has melted.
Tip: Do not put the pan back on the heat or you will end up with scrambled eggs!
Stir in the smoked streaky bacon (or whatever you chose before) and serve with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese on top.
About the author: Francesca Rilotelli is a writer and fan of tasty pasta recipes.
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