When I was still living at home, eating my mother’s food, spaghetti and mince or macaroni and cheese was on the menu at least once a week.
Now that I’m on my own, and still eating my mother’s food (because it’s way better than mine), I ALWAYS add cheese, macaroni or spaghetti to my shopping list.
Van wat is macaroni sonder kaas?
Pasta is one of the most versatile and cheapest foods that can be enjoyed as a quick snack in front of the TV or a main course meal on a dinner date.
The few times I don’t eat at my mom’s, I’m almost always whipping up a spaghetti or macaroni ding.
Mac n cheese, spaghetti and mince, tuna and pasta or just about any blikkie vis.
If it doesn’t take too much prep time, then I’m making it.
What’s more is that it can be enjoyed by everyone.
What child doesn’t like slurping spaghetti into their mouth one slangetjie at a time?
It’s also pretty healthy and provides you with energy and essential nutrients in the form of fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Now who says you can’t play with your food and be healthy at the same time?
As an added bonus, it’s low in sodium and it’s cholesterol-free.
With summer around the corner, there’s no need to slave away in the kitchen for hours.
There are hundreds of easy, delicious and cheap pasta meals you can prepare before 7de Laan.
Here are some of my favourites. Bon Appétit!
Fatima Sydow's lekker pasta recipes
Tuna and Corn Noodle Salad
Ingredients
2 tins of tuna in oil
1 small onion peeled and finely chopped
3 green chillies, seeds removed and chopped into small pieces
1 cup of Mayonnaise
1 teaspoon of chilli powder
2 tablespoons of dried parsley
1 cup of cooked whole sweetcorn
1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
Cooked noodle pasta of your choice (1 packet )
1/2 a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup of cheese cut into small cubes
2 tablespoons hot sauce
Red and green pepper cut into small pieces.
Method
In a large bowl, add all ingredients especially the oil of the tuna, stir, cover in clingwrap and refrigerate.
Serve on its own or with a delicious braai . It’s so easy.
Use the same recipe to make a prawn or crayfish noodle salad, simply add a bit more mayonnaise and some chopped dill.
Steak mince Pasta Bake
Ingredients
1kg steak mince
1 onion peeled and finely chopped
5 cloves of garlic peeled and finely chopped
1.5 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 chopped chilli
1 tablespoon of sugar
2 tablespoons of oil for frying onions
2 cups of grated cheddar cheese
1 pack of elbow, macaroni or shell pasta cooked. White Sauce.
Method
Fry onions in oil on medium to high heat until golden brown. Next add steak mince, black pepper, garlic, chilli and salt... cook for 10-15 minutes stirring often. Next add your tomato paste and sugar and cook for a few minutes. Add some hot water and cook on medium for 35 minutes until water is cooked away and ensure you stir to prevent mince from sticking to pot.
Next mix half of your white sauce with the mince mixture and add one cup cheddar cheese and stir. Pour this in a large baking tray or dish and pour over remaining white sauce and cheese. Bake in a pre-heated oven on 200°C for 30 minutes. Serve with a green salad.