Every evening, there’s one question that looms large over me – what do I do for lunch tomorrow? My workplace does not offer free lunches unlike some other companies where people are ‘feeling lucky’ all the time or are busy networking socially 😉 So I’m left to my own devices to create something easy and edible for my lunchbox. I do sometimes carry leftovers from the evening’s dinner the next day.  The other ways I survive during the week? Get some easy to cook veggies, prepared canned lentils, etc from the supermarket and make something that lasts the next 2-3 days. Use leftover ingredients from the fridge to rustle up a quick lunch for the next day. Buy a salad/sandwich.

This pasta with courgettes and goat’s cheese is something I throw together when I find the ingredients lying around in the kitchen. It can easily be modified to include any type of vegetable, cheese and herbs, making it a very versatile dish. Of course, the cheese can be left out for a lighter version.

Pasta with courgette & goat’s cheese (to serve 1)

Ingredients

Dry pasta of any type (I used fusilli)

1 medium courgette sliced crosswise

1 small or 1/2 a medium onion finely sliced

2 cloves of garlic crushed

2-3 tbsp tomato puree or a quarter of a jar of passata

about 2-3 tbsp goat’s cheese or any other soft cheese

1tsp oregano/mixed herbs

2tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

a few fresh basil leaves, chopped

Method

Cook the pasta in boiling water according to packet instructions. Heat the oil in a pan. Once hot, add the courgette and saute until it’s softened and you see the edges almost turning brown. Add the onions and garlic. Stir everything together and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the oregano or any other herb you’re using, season with salt and pepper and add the tomato puree.

Drain the pasta once it’s cooked, reserving a little of the cooking water. Add the reserved water to the pan to loosen up the sauce. Add the drained pasta to the pan. Scoop in the cheese. Mix everything together until well combined.

Sprinkle the chopped basil leaves over the top just before serving or in this case, just after you pack your delicious lunch 🙂

Bon appetit!