Easy Cheesy Pasta 

This pasta and homemade sauce is on the table in 15 minutes or less!

Hallelujah! It’s already April and somehow I’ve managed to post one new recipe every week, that’s a reason to celebrate. That likely has something to do with the small, but important fact that I’ve kept myself accountable with sharing (mostly) easy recipes that are quintessential for weeknight meals.

Growing up, my mom worked part time, which meant whenever I got home from taking care of my 4-H animals, swim practice or school (I went to school an hour away from where I lived, which meant I spent at least two hours a day or more in a car), dinner was always ready. I naively thought that was how it was for everyone until a large portion of my friends in high school came from single parent households and they ate fast-food, or leftovers most nights of the week. 🤦🏼‍♀️

After getting hired at a prestigious law firm, I quickly learned the importance of planning ahead and collecting quick and easy recipes that I could make after working a hellish 12-hour day. A lot of nights, that meant I was eating salad or microwaving quesadillas before passing out. Big law life is no joke, don’t let any of those shows on television fool you. Especially Suits. (Who else is sad Mike is leaving?!) 

Even though I have left the world of Big Law, I am still finding myself short on time during the week. That probably has something to do with taking on the work of another contract specialist who recently took a leave of absence, maintaining a regular blogging schedule AND taking a create writing class which is the equivalent of three classes in one. No joke. I am working harder in this one class than I ever did in any law class. My husband, who recently went back to school, keeps teasing me about how much work I’m doing for a class that’s credit/no credit. A word of advice: if you ever find yourself being required to take some sort of continuing education class in order to receive your annual raise at work, don’t take a creative writing class unless you want to work your butt off. I don’t know how people with full-time jobs and small children juggle both work and school. Add household duties to the list and my mind is blown. 🤯 

Today’s recipe is one that I wish I would have had in my rotation a decade ago and find myself making pretty regularly now—it sure beats my old go-to of eating egg noodles with melted butter. While it’s obviously not the healthiest of options, it’s certainly more satisfying than egg noodles and butter and just as convenient. The sauce couldn’t be an easier, and it requires minimal energy to make it. Seriously, you grate some cheese, reserve some of the pasta water and boom, you’ve got a satisfying dinner.

Plus it’s so easy enough to make that your somewhat-adapt-in-the-kitchen spouse or child can make it, which means you can get home from work, put your feet up and enjoy a generously large glass of wine. 🍷

This easy cheesy pasta is also easy to dress up with diced pancetta, leftover rotisserie chicken, and fresh herbs that you don’t want to go to waste. Just don’t forget to serve this with some extra cheese to sprinkle on top to keep cheese lovers happy and satisfied!

If you have a bottle of Sangiovese of change lying around, both are a perfect pairing for pecorino romano cheese. Alternatively, you may enjoy a crisp and zesty white wine, such as Vermentino for hot summer nights.