One of the staple ingredients that I have in my kitchen is good quality pasta. You can toss in some veggies and sauce and voila you have something edible and yummy in less than 15 minutes. That definitely qualifies as a sure fire idea for a work day dinner. It also helps that the co-resident is a big fan of Cheese Sauce, so there will be no negotiating the day’s dinner plan when this recipe is announced. The main veggie in this recipe is Peppers or Capsicums, but you can substitute mushrooms, broccoli, corn, spinach etc etc etc. Be creative! Peppers can be found in a variety of colours – Red, Yellow, Green and Orange. Red peppers tend to be the sweetest when cooked, while the green ones are the spicy ones. So use them liberally to spice up your dish – taste and looks wise both! Peppers are also an excellent source of antioxidants so it probably will spice up your looks as well 🙂
Pasta with Peppers in a Cheese Sauce
Cooking time: 15 mins
Serves 4
What you need:
200 gms Pasta
2-3 Peppers (different colours)
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 cloves Garlic (minced) / 1 tsp Garlic Powder
3 Tbsp Butter
3 Tbsp Flour
1 ½ cup Milk
½ cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste
Mixed Herbs to garnish
What to do:
Wash and dice the peppers. Prepare pasta according to instructions on the packet. While the pasta is boiling, heat the olive oil and sauté the garlic for a minute. Toss in the peppers and sauté for a further 5 mins. Season with salt. Keep aside. In a saucepan melt butter; remove from heat. Stir in flour and seasoning. Gradually add half the milk, stirring until well mixed. Bring back to the stove. Add the remaining milk and whisk until the sauce is smooth, thick and glossy. Cook for 5 mins. Add cheese and blend until smooth. Toss in the cooked pasta and peppers. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with herbs. Yummy!
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