Storecupboard Dinners - Creamy Mince & Pea Pasta

The usual senario, throws open cupboards, what can I make for this little lot.  My daughter had just been out to an Italian for pasta  (La Pergola, in Carlisle, if anyone is interested, best Italian in town) and brought a doggy bag home.  I couldn't nibble at it as it was meat based, but pasta was well and truly lodged into my tastebuds.

Let's make Creamy Mince & Pea Pasta.  (As usual feel free to change ingredients to suit what you have)

What you need:

• Pasta
• Mince (Quorn, Beef, Lamb, Turkey)
• Peas
• Chopped Garlic (Frozen is good)
• Dried Chilli Flakes
• Creamy style Cup-A-Soup (I had Broccoli & Cauliflower, Cream of Veg would be good too, or Mushroom)

What you do:

• Put your pasta on to cook and while it is bubbling away make the rest.
• Heat a little oil in a pan and stir fry your garlic.  Add the mince and peas, chilli flakes and a pinch of dried herbs, and cook through.

• Sprinkle on the contents of the packet of cup-a-soup powder.

• Add a little water and stir until all the powder is dissolved.  Add more water as necessary as it thickens as it cooks in.  You are aiming for a nice creamy consistency.

• Drain the pasta and return to the hot pan, dump the sauce mix on top and give it a stir to blend.

• Serve with a good grind of black pepper.

Email me through your Storecupboard Dinner recipes and I will feature them in my blog, or if you prefer add a link to your own blog in the comment box.