Even with the best-laid plans, cooking during these strange times can be a challenge. So we've put together three recipe pairings, each with an entree and a side, that call for ingredients you may already have on hand. But if you don't have a particular ingredient or the supermarket is out of stock, don't worry; we've also provided ideas for subsitutions.
Weeknight Cooking
Dinner This Week: Cooking from the Pantry - Vol. 3
This week’s menus include Creamy Baked Four-Cheese Pasta, New England Fish Chowder, and Pasta e Ceci for dinner in about an hour.
By Published Apr. 3, 2020.
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Dinner 1: Creamy Baked Four-Cheese Pasta and Sautéed Garlic-Lemon Spinach
Game Plan: Prep the ingredients for both dishes. Prepare the pasta dish. While the pasta is in the oven (step 4), sauté the spinach.
Creamy Baked Four-Cheese Pasta calls for a flavorful blend of four Italian cheeses: fontina, Gorgonzola, Pecorino Romano, and Parmesan. But feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. In total, you want to use about 2 cups of a “melty” cheese such as fontina, cheddar, Gruyère, or Monterey Jack, and ¾ cup of a hard cheese such as Parmesan, Asiago, or Pecorino Romano. For our Sautéed Garlic-Lemon Spinach, we prefer the sweet flavor and hearty texture of flat-leaf spinach, but curly spinach, Swiss chard, or Tuscan Kale (remove the stems before cooking) will also work. It's a good idea to avoid baby spinach because it will overwilt using this method.
Printable Shopping Lists: Creamy Baked Four-Cheese Pasta and Sautéed Garlic-Lemon Spinach
Dinner 2: New England Fish Chowder and Green Beans
Game Plan: Start by preparing the chowder. While the chowder simmers in step 2, prep the green beans. Once the fish is returned to the pot in step 3, sauté the green beans.
Any type of white flaky fish can be used in New England Fish Chowder. Cod and haddock are our favorites, but pollock, hake, or even tilapia can be substituted. If you don’t have salt pork, pancetta is a good stand-in. Bacon can also be used, but expect a hint of smoke. The flavorings for Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic and Herbs can be altered to suit what you have on hand. Feel free to use dried thyme (reduce to ¼ teaspoon) instead of fresh, or swap in another fresh herb. No lemons? Finish with a touch of balsamic vinegar instead.
Printable Shopping Lists: New England Fish Chowder and Green Beans
Dinner 3: Pasta e Ceci and Steamed Broccoli
Game Plan: Start by preparing the Pasta e Ceci. While it simmers in step 2, prep the broccoli. Once the pasta is tender, remove the Pasta e Ceci from the heat, and let it stand while you steam the broccoli.
Pasta e Ceci is simple to prepare, yet packed full of satisfying flavor. The pancetta adds a meaty backbone, but it can be omitted. The anchovy provides depth, but it's OK to leave it out (or try adding ½ teaspoon of fish sauce). Any type of small, short pasta can be used in place of the ditalini. Steamed Broccoli is great served with just a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. It’s also nice tossed with Garlic, Basil, and Lemon Butter or Shallot-Herb Butter.
Printable Shopping Lists: Pasta e Ceci and Steamed Broccoli
View more weeknight dinner ideas below, or check out all of the Dinner This Week menus.
