Macaroni and Peas

Pasta is one of my family’s favorite foods. We eat it once a week almost without fail. This week, I decided to try something different.

I should probably preface this post with a disclaimer. I’m not affiliated with Barilla in any way, shape, or form. I love this pasta. The quality is exceptional. Barilla Plus has long been our standard because it contains extra fiber and protein without losing any of the great pasta taste or texture.

Barilla Piccolini

Instead of picking up our regular Barilla Plus, I asked my son to pick out a box of the Barilla Piccolini. These are tiny versions of your favorite shaped pastas. He chose the mini wheels.

I like the tiny pasta largely because tiny food is fun food. However, I picked it up this time because it was on sale. Finding out how very quickly it cooks was a bonus.

We also picked up a bag of frozen mini meatballs, baby broccoli florets (his choice, I swear), corn, and a basic marinara sauce. I cooked the pasta according to the directions on the box. It cooks in just 7 minutes! We nuked the broccoli and corn and I baked the meatballs for 20 minutes at 425 degrees F.

Rather than toss everything together, I opted to create a pasta bar. Each item was set out on the counter in its own container. Everyone picked what they liked and dished up only as much as they wanted.

My husband opted to skip the broccoli, but added extra corn and meatballs. I chose more broccoli and my son had a little of everything. Since he dished himself up, he couldn’t really complain that he didn’t like it or that he had too much food. Not surprisingly, he polished it all off without a problem.

Here are some other ways I’d use this quick cooking mini pasta:

Cold Pasta Salad: Toss cold mini pasta with mini veggies (like halved grape tomatoes, diced bell pepper, corn, or peas), tuna (a water packed can or a pouch), and your favorite vinegrette.

Bonus: This can all be prepared ahead of time and tossed together at the last minute.

Soup: About ten minutes before your soup is done, add a handful of your favorite mini pasta.

For an easy chicken noodle soup, add shredded chicken to your favorite low sodium chicken broth. Toss in a pre-mixed chicken noodle soup seasoning packet and bring to a boil. Add your pasta and you’ll have a fun, comforting soup.

Creamy Pasta: While you’re waiting for the water to boil and the pasta to cook, whip up a delicious homemade cream sauce.

I know it sounds complex, but it’s super simple. My mom taught me how to make this one when I was in 5th grade. If a ten year old can master it, you won’t have any problems.

Mix equal portions of butter or margarine and flour in a sauce pan over medium high heat. You’re trying to create a whitish paste…keep stirring and don’t let it get too brown. Once it’s thick, like peanut butter, add milk in small quantities. Whisk and whisk and whisk. Eventually, you’ll end up with a thick, creamy sauce. If you want to add cheese, take it off the heat first and then stir it in a little at a time.

Finally, mix the cream sauce with the cooked mini pasta and your family’s favorite veggies. Top with grilled chicken slices for a fancy gourmet style meal.

Your Turn

These “recipes” are the type of basic instructions I provide with all my meal plans. If you have any questions about how to prepare something, just holler (either via email or in the comments). I’d also love to hear stories about how you prepare pasta with your kids.