Sometimes, it’s just a bit too difficult to find exactly what you’re craving in the Marketplace, Jay’s Nest or even the Fresh Nest, so here’s a quick and healthy recipe for pesto pasta that’s sure to hit the spot!
For this recipe, you’ll need pasta of any shape (though smaller shapes work best, I used fusilli), vegetables like spinach or tomatoes, pesto, parmesan or another type of cheese, salt and red pepper flakes. You can use canned, store-bought pesto, or you can make it yourself if you feel inclined. All of the other ingredients can be found in the Marketplace, with the exception of the pasta, which can be purchased from Jay’s Nest.
I decided to use pre-cooked pasta from Giant, which was meant to be thrown in the microwave for a minute or so and be ready to eat, and then I stirred in the other ingredients. But, if you’d rather make the pasta from the box, here’s a simple way to do it in the microwave, right in your dorm.
Pour your pasta and about two-thirds of a cup of water into a microwave-safe bowl or mug. Add salt. Then, place it in the microwave for five minutes with no lid, though I recommend putting a paper towel or paper plate under the mug in case it boils over. Stir the pasta halfway through to make sure it cooks evenly.
Stir the pasta again and add another one-third cup of water. Place it back in the microwave for another two to three minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave. Taste the pasta to make sure it’s fully cooked.
Once your pasta is ready, add the pesto. Stir it in until all of the noodles are coated or to your taste. Add the tomatoes, spinach or other vegetables, then place it back in the microwave for about 30 seconds to a minute. When the spinach looks wilted and the tomatoes are soft, it’s done.
Alternatively, if you’re worried about overcooking the pasta, you can put the vegetables on a separate plate and cook them in the microwave before adding them in, but they will cook much more quickly on their own, so try 15 to 20 seconds in the microwave at a time.
Finally, while the pasta is still hot, stir in the cheese and sprinkle the red pepper flakes on top for some extra flavor. Grab a fork and enjoy!
This recipe is highly satisfying and makes a decently-sized meal for one person. You can even try swapping out the vegetables or adding some protein like chicken to fit your own dietary needs.
