Ditch the regular old spaghetti and fire up your oven in this chilly autumn weather!
"All of these recipes rely on cheese to make them taste good."
That's what my boyfriend used to say to me when we'd just moved in together as college kids. We've been together since we were a freshman and junior in high school, both tooting away on the alto saxophone in band class. But when we moved in together (the first time, with a bunch of roommates we did not click with), I was just learning how to cook, and I leaned heavily on those good old fashioned "Easy Weeknight Dinner" Pinterest recipes.
He was right. All of them lacked in seasoning and depth. All of them relied on a bag of cheese for a modicum of flavor.
But listen. Even now that I've come around and learned the value of herbs and spices, as well as the flavor profiles and how to balance savory with floral, sweet with sour, so on and so forth... it's nice to have one of those Pinterest style meals for old times' sake. (Though admittedly, my original inspiration for this was a reel about pizza bowls or something, and then my mom gave me ten pounds of fusilli pasta she got for free somehow.) The good news, though, is that we can make it tasty with more than just cheese, and we can get some good magic woven in there, too. After all, when you're using an ingredient like turkey pepperoni, how can you not call upon the qualities of those gigantic, proud birds for a bit of courage? That plus nutmeg, red pepper, and onion are bound to wake up your senses, ignite your passion alongside your confidence, and banish any bad omens trying to trip you up. Let's take a look.
Magic in Homemade Easy Weeknight Pasta Bake
Have you ever seen a turkey in action?
I was out walking through a beautiful cemetery garden with a friend here in Rhode Island (Swan Point in Providence), and as we were walking through, a pack of turkeys came across our path. The males were big, bold, and ready to fight at a moment's notice (and when I called to them, they answered right back with their loud turkey gobbles).
These animals, despite being fowl and despite being our Thanksgiving centerpieces, are such brave animals, willing to charge at you and try to intimidate with their big, peacock-like tail feathers. They're wild, and with turkey pepperoni (which doesn't pool with stomach-pain-causing grease like regular pepperoni as it cooks), you get all the benefits of the Turkey Spirit's courage in your meal.
Beyond that, the element of fire and the planet Mars (with a sprinkle of Jupiter) absolutely take over in this meal, giving you a go, go, go energy that doesn't leave time for doubts, fear, or discomfort and a little boost to your luck. If you want to get your game face on and get things done, no matter who's watching, what people think, or what else is going on in your life, then ironically, this simple and cozy pan of baked pasta will do you good.
Easy Weeknight Pasta Bake
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Makes 4-5 servings
Ingredients:
1 lb fusilli pasta
17 slices turkey pepperoni
8oz shredded mozzarella
2 red bell peppers
1 onion
1 lb ground beef
6oz tomato paste
1/2 Tbsp paprika
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 Tbsp oregano
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1/2 Tbsp onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Dice one onion and fry in a pan with olive oil until translucent.
Add ground beef, season, and let brown.
Add chopped red peppers, then add tomato paste and mix well.
Add 12oz of water, seasonings, then cover and let simmer until peppers are soft.
Meanwhile. boil water and preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Boil pasta per package directions, then drain and dump into a large casserole dish.
Pour beef, peppers, and onions into pasta and mix well.
Cover evenly with mozzarella, then add pepperoni along the top.
Bake for ten minutes, then broil on high for the last five (or until cheese is browned)
Let cool for fifteen minutes, then serve.
The good news about a dish like this is that you can clean up as you cook and have a delicious pan of food for very little effort. It's quite the safe weeknight dinner for one that helps you gather your courage, but sometimes, we find our courage when we take refuge in the places we feel safest. No matter what's going on, though, try this out for those nights you want something delicious without all the fuss!
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Sara Raztresen is a Slovene-American writer, screenwriter, and Christian witch. Her fantasy works draw heavily on the wisdom she gathers from her own personal and spiritual experience, and her spiritual practice borrows much of the whimsy and wonder that modern society has relegated to fairy-and-folktale. Her goal is to help people regain their spiritual footing and discover God through a new (yet old) lens of mysticism.
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