On most nights, the only thing I’m interested in doing is tucking into a quick, satisfying bowl of carbs and cracking up at the newest episode of Atlanta. I love a box of ole faithful (read: Kraft Easy Mac) as much as the next gal, but sometimes I feel like treating myself to a dish that has maximum flavor and requires minimal effort. On those nights, I turn to these six recipes that are as easy as they are unique.
Vodka Sauce
This recipe is delicious and complex, but it’s shockingly easy to make. The most difficult part is grating the garlic into the pan, and then all you really have to do is dump in a bunch of butter, olive oil, tomato paste, vodka, and heavy cream. Is it healthy? That depends on who you ask. But if you’re already committing to pasta, that’s probably not the first thing on your mind. I’d argue that a good dose of creamy, glossy pasta on a Wednesday night after a long day of work is vital to my emotional well-being. After trying this dish you may feel the same way.
Walnut and Lentil Bolognese
This dish feels decadent, but secretly sneaks in a good dose of fiber and veggies—thanks to the lentils and tomato sauce. It’s one of my favorite things to whip up on a meatless Monday! A quick hack to making a super quick recipe that feels special is cutting as many corners as you can. This is me telling you to opt for store-bought marinara, which is packed full of delicious herbs and slow-cooked tomato-y goodness.
Spicy Miso Spaghetti
There are few things that I look forward to as much as this dish. It’s almost difficult for me to get work done on days where I know I’m making Chrissy Tiegen’s legendary twist on a classic carbonara. It’s also a beautiful reminder that miso paste tastes spectacular in just about anything, but particularly good when paired with bacon and pasta. This comes together in just a few minutes, or just about as much time as it takes to cook the pasta.
Pesto Alla Trapanese
I’m always down for a dish where I can just chuck a ton of flavorful herbs and ingredients into a food processor and my sauce is done. That means less cooking, less dishes, and more time for me to eat. What I love about this recipe is that it’s summery, fresh, and feels special. I’d recommend using a pasta shape that has a lot of surface area, like rotini, for maximum pesto-to-noodle coverage.
Red Wine Spaghetti
I won’t lie to you, I am a sucker for the Bachelor. Can you blame me? This dish is the perfect complement to Bachelor nights because it’s super fast, tastes like wine (although the booze cooks out), and feels like I’m taking myself out on a date. Plus, I don’t think it’s possible for a recipe to contain two sticks of butter AND two bottles of wine and not be the best thing you’ll eat all week.
Cauliflower Alfredo
Despite my previous recommendations, I promise that I am not a glutton. My mom did hammer some positive cooking habits into me, which includes eating my vegetables. This luxuriously creamy cauliflower alfredo sauce is the perfect example—the plant-based version mimics its heavy cream-based cousin, and my tastebuds are none-the-wiser.
While I can’t ask you to give up your favorite boxed mac, I promise you that you’ll feel much happier after a long day if you take the extra fifteen minutes to whip up one of these ultra-satisfying carb-laden dishes. There is truly nothing more satisfying than cooking yourself a decadent meal that feels just a little bit naughty. BUT, if you are feeling a bit healthy, any of these dishes would be equally delicious with a high-protein pasta alternative like Banza.
