Whip up some great mid-week meals

Midweek meals don’t have to be a drag with busy schedules and limited time. With fresh, vibrant ingredients readily available now, whipping up a quick and delicious pasta dish can turn an ordinary evening into something special.

Whether you’re craving tender chicken, hearty beef, or a fresh vegetarian option, these three pasta recipes are designed to make your weeknights sizzle without the hassle – no bolognese or lasagne in sight. Let’s dive into simple, tasty meals that celebrate the best of fresh produce and easy cooking.

Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 300g fettuccine or tagliatelle
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 1 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
2. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken slices, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through.
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in lemon zest and juice, then reduce heat to low and mix in Greek yogurt and Parmesan until creamy.
5. Toss in the pasta and parsley, mixing well to coat everything evenly.
6. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan if desired.

Roasted Pumpkin and Spinach Penne

Ingredients:

• 300g penne pasta
• 400g pumpkin, peeled and diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 100g feta cheese, crumbled
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). Toss pumpkin cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
2. Cook penne pasta following package directions; drain and set aside.
3. In a large frying pan, heat remaining olive oil. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
4. Add roasted pumpkin and spinach, cooking until spinach wilts.
5. Mix in the cooked penne and toss to combine.
6. Serve topped with toasted pine nuts and crumbled feta.

Spicy Beef and Chilli Orecchiette

Ingredients:

• 300g orecchiette pasta
• 300g lean beef mince
• 1 red chilli, finely sliced (adjust to taste)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Cook orecchiette pasta as per package instructions, drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan, sauté onion, garlic, and chilli until softened.
3. Add beef mince, breaking it up, and cook until browned.
4. Stir in tomato paste and cherry tomatoes, cooking for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Toss in the pasta, combining well.
7. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot.

These dishes show that quick, fresh and full-flavoured pasta meals are within easy reach in any Australian kitchen. Perfect for midweek when time is short, but you still want food that delights. Enjoy cooking and eating!