Three ways to cook pasta

Stocked up on pasta, and don't know how to use it up? Luckily, pasta is a great base for some amazing recipes! Below we've listed how you can use this kitchen staple in three simple but delicious recipes.

Pea & Pancetta/Bacon Pasta Salad

Ingredients (serves 4 as a side)

• 250g Penne
• 175g frozen peas
• 200g bacon/pancetta

For the dressing:

• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp plain yoghurt
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 clove garlic, finely grated
• 1 small handful parsley, chopped
• 1 small handful of mint, chopped

 Method

1. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions – adding in the peas for final 1-2 minutes of cooking.
2. While your pasta’s on, fry your pancetta in a pan over a low heat until it crisps up.
3. For the dressing, add everything into a large bowl and whisk together. When the pasta has cooked, drain and leave to cool slightly. Add the pancetta into the dressing followed by the cooled pasta and mix everything together. Serve with your favourite barbecue treats!

Mediterranean Tuna Pasta Bake

Ingredients

• 300g SPAR fusilli  
• 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 50g black olives, sliced
• salt and pepper
• 1 lemon zest only
• 3 x tins tuna
• 100g Cathedral City cheddar, grated half in half on top
• 100g mozzarella, half in half on top

 Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180c. Cook the pasta for a couple of minutes less than the packet suggests (around 10 minutes). Drain
2. In an ovenproof dish– add the pasta, tuna, the tomatoes, onion slices, olives, capers and lemon zest and half of each type of cheese.
3. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake in the oven for around 15 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Serve with a green salad.

Homemade Pasta Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large white onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 2 x 400g plum tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
• 1 tsp sugar
• 300g spaghetti
• Fresh basil

Method

1. In a large pan, heat the olive oil over a medium-low heat. Add the onion and fry for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and fry for a couple more minutes before adding the tomato puree. Cook out for 2 minutes and then add the tinned tomatoes.
2. Allow to come to a simmer and then add the mixed herbs, sugar and stock cube. Stir to combine and then turn the heat to low. Bubble away for as long as possible – up to an hour – until it’s lovely and reduced.
3. About 10 minutes before serving, pop your pasta on to cook according to pack instructions. Add your pasta straight to your sauce and stir well.
4. Serve with parmesan and shredded basil.

You can get all the ingredients you need at your local SPAR.