Midweek meals: Five comforting dishes ready in 40 minutes or less

Comfort food perfect for an autumn evening

As the weather starts to change, here are five recipes you can try out this week.

Creamy chicken pasta

recipe by:Derval O'Rourke

Quick and easy this is comforting and delicious

Preparation Time

 5 mins

Cooking Time

 15 mins

Total Time

 20 mins

Course

 Main

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 chicken fillets, cubed

• 4 tbsp crushed pistachios

• ½ red chilli, finely chopped

• 180ml cream

• 100g pasta

• 2 tbsp Parmesan

• a handful of mint leaves, chopped

• 2 tbsp sunflower or pumpkin seeds

• salt and pepper

Method

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat.

2. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes.

3. Add the chicken and cook for 5 minutes.

4. Add the pistachios and chilli, and cook for 5 minutes.

5. Stir in the cream, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

6. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the instructions on the pack.

7. Drain the pasta and tip it into the pan with the cream sauce.

8. Add the parmesan, mint, and seeds and stir well to coat the pasta.

9. Season to taste and divide the pasta between warmed serving bowls.

Easiest ever tomato soup

This easy soup can be cooked in ten minutes and is best served with toasted cheese sandwiches cut into triangles

Servings

6

Preparation Time

 2 mins

Cooking Time

 10 mins

Total Time

 12 mins

Course

 Starter

Cuisine

 American

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1 tsp olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 680ml bottle passata

• 1-litre chicken stock

• 1 bunch basil, chopped

• 1 heaped tbsp crème fraîche

Method

1. In a heavy-based saucepan heat the butter and oil over a low heat and stir in the garlic, cooking for a minute or two until fragrant. 

2. Stir in the passata, chicken stock and full bunch of basil and bring to a simmer. Cook for 8 minutes and season with salt and pepper. 

3. Stir in the crème fraîche before serving in cups or mugs.