Pasta With Olive-Caper Sauce — Meatless Monday
Christopher Testani
For a quick weeknight dinner, few meals are more efficient or economical than pasta with tomato sauce. But regardless of whether you commit to making your own sauce from scratch or you rely on store-bought jars when in a pinch, everyday marinara can get tired quickly. This week, instead of calling the dish complete with just noodles and tomatoes, dress up the sauce with vegetables, olives, fresh herbs or cheeses — any or all that you happen to have on hand — to turn an ordinary meal into something special. Even if you're pressed for time, know that it doesn't take long to simmer the sauce with a few additional ingredients, as, in fact, most mixtures come together in the time it takes to boil and cook the pasta.
Food Network Magazine's can-do Bucatini With Olive-Caper Sauce (pictured above) is the ultimate in easy-yet-elegant pasta in that it boasts a bold, flavorful no-cook sauce. After making a salty paste of smashed garlic, capers and red pepper flakes, add Mediterranean ingredients like kalamata olives, fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella cheese and fragrant basil, then let the heat of just-cooked pasta gently warm the mixture and soften the tomatoes slightly. Ready to eat in only 25 minutes, this go-to supper elevates the mainstays of marinara — tomatoes and garlic — into a wholly new dish, one that's simple enough for weeknight cooking but interesting enough to offer guests. When making no-cook pasta, it's best to reserve a few cups of cooking water before draining the noodles, just in case you need to loosen the sauce with liquid.
If you're looking to round out the meal with a light, fresh side dish, try Tyler's Spring Green Salad, made with just a handful of ingredients. The secret to his recipe lies in the dressing: a duo of extra-virgin fruity olive oil and bright lemon juice. Together, these family-friendly picks add a refreshingly simple flavor without weighing down the greens.
Meatless Monday, an international movement, encourages people everywhere to cut meat one day a week for personal and planetary health. Browse more meat-free recipes.