ONCE-COOKED SHORT PASTA
Level 1
Pasta Fagole Meal-in-a-Bowl
Serves 4-6
Prep time: around 10 minutes
Here's comfort food with that “slaved all day over a hot stove” quality. Any negligible quantity of cooked meat – like cooked chicken, fish or shrimp – transforms this pasta dish into a meal in a bowl.
2 cups once cooked pasta (any kind of short noodle), room temperature
1 15 oz. can chicken or beef stock
2 Tbsp. butter or olive oil or combo of both
½ cup dry white wine (optional)
1 14.5oz. can Italian peeled tomatoes, chopped with juice
1 15 oz. can white beans, not drained
1 onion, medium
2-3 cloves garlic, peeled and cored
Handful fresh herbs, washed (preferably parsley, oregano, basil) or 1 tsp dried
2 stalks celery, peeled
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
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Put all fresh vegetables into bowl of food processor; chop coarsely.
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In a stock pot, heat oil or butter. Add chopped mixture to stockpot; sauté for 5 minutes. Empty all canned ingredients into stockpot. Add remaining ingredients; bring to boil. Cook on low for 30 minutes. Taste; adjust seasonings.
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Add pasta 5 minutes before serving. Put in bowl and grate parmesan cheese on top.
Serving suggestion: Serve with crusty warm garlic bread and a light salad. Grate parmesan cheese on top and pass the bowls around the table.
