Easy & Budget Friendly Dinner
Tomato Penne Pasta!
This is one of the first recipes I learned and it’s still one of our favorites! If you’re looking for a simple & budget friendly meal, I would definitely recommend this one (I bought everything I needed at Aldi).
Ingredients:
- Penne Pasta ( 1-2 cups)
- cherry tomatoes (2 cups)
- marinara sauce (1 cup)
- heavy cream (1/3 cup)
- mozzarella cheese (1/2 cup)
- oregano seasoning (1/2 tsp)
- salt (1/2 tsp)
- pepper (1/2 tsp)
- olive oil
Steps:
- cook Pasta (read directions on box)
- Turn on stove to medium
- Drizzle olive oil on pan place cherry tomatoes in pan
- season/cover tomatoes with onion powder
- Cook until cherry tomatoes are easily mashed
- pour 1 cup marinara
- pour 2 cups water
- stir
- season to taste or 1/2 tsp of salt/pepper/oregano
- pour 1/3 cup heavy cream
- pour 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
- Drain pasta of water
- pour pasta into sauce (the pan)
- stir & enjoy!
#affordablerecipes #budgetdinner #easydinnerrecipe #recipes #easyrecipes
If you're looking for quick and budget-friendly dinner ideas, this Tomato Penne Pasta recipe is a superb choice. Not only is it easy to prepare, but it requires minimal ingredients often found in your pantry. Start by cooking your penne pasta according to package instructions, which usually takes around 10-12 minutes. Meanwhile, in a separate pan, drizzle some olive oil, and add halved cherry tomatoes. Cooking them until they burst releases their juices, adding a fresh flavor to the sauce. Incorporate marinara sauce and a splash of water to create a light sauce that ties everything together. Adding in heavy cream not only enhances the creaminess, but it also provides a richer taste profile. Finally, mixing in mozzarella cheese until it melts creates a delightful, cheesy coating over your pasta. This recipe is not only about the ease of preparation but also about how versatile it can be – feel free to customize it by adding vegetables or proteins you may have on hand. Plus, utilizing budget-friendly ingredients makes this meal perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. What could be better than an easy, hearty meal that won’t break the bank?