1. Baked rigatoni with ricotta, shallots and spinach
This grown-up take on mac-and-cheese is just as comforting as the original. If ricotta is hard to come by, a mix of grated mozzarella and Parmesan could suffice, and use regular onions in place of shallots if you can’t find those either.
Get the recipe for this baked rigatoni with ricotta, shallots and spinach here.
2. Orecchiette salad with tuna and heirloom tomatoes
Can’t face another tuna mayo sandwich? Toss the tuna into this punchy pasta salad and you’ll never look back. While heirloom tomatoes are amazing, good old regular ones will work just as well here too.
Get the recipe for this orecchiette salad with tuna and heirloom tomatoes
3. Wholewheat fusilli with green olives and herbs
Serve this hot or cold, either way is satisfyingly punchy. Sub in any olives you have, as well as any soft herbs like basil or baby spinach.
Get the recipe for this wholewheat fusilli with green olives and herbs here.
4. Gnocchi with Romesco sauce and grated hazelnuts
This recipe calls for store-bought gnocchi, but making your own is a great, surprisingly easy weekend project. The Romesco sauce is also delicious with roast chicken or grilled fish, so double up and save it for later. Don’t stress too much about hazelnuts if you don’t have – any nut will work.
Get the recipe for this gnocchi with Romesco sauce and grated hazelnuts here.
5. Easy, butter-roasted tomato-and-sausage spaghetti
How did we ever live without this butter-roasted tomato sauce? It’s the perfect, hands-on sauce that still feels like you put a lot of effort into it. This recipe is extremely adaptable, so omit the sausage if you like, or add in kale or broccoli for a dose of greens. It also freezes (and doubles) well, and can be used for everything from pizza toppings, to melanzane to an accompaniment for eggs.
Find the recipe for this easy, butter-roasted tomato-and-sausage spaghetti here.
Thank you for the best tip ever: I tried your butter-roasted tomato sauce and was blown away by the intensity of the flavours! Minimum effort but maximum taste, will definitely be using this again and again.