Create delectable meals in a matter of minutes using a few pantry staples paired with our quick dinner solutions.  

Cheesy Italian baked beans

Serves 4  

These bowls of cheesy comfort are best enjoyed with a dipper like crusty bread or charred pitas.  

Ingredients 

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped 
3 cloves garlic, minced 
¼ tsp chilli flakes 
1 Tbsp chopped rosemary leaves 
1 can (410g) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 
2 cans (410g each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 
1 bottle (700g) passata sauce 
1 Tbsp sugar 
Salt and milled pepper 
1 cups grated mozzarella 
1 cups grated Cheddar 
Fresh basil for serving 
Baguette, sliced and toasted for serving  

Method 

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. 
2. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat and fry onion for 3-5 minutes or until softened. 
3. Add garlic, chilli flakes and rosemary, then fry for 30 seconds until golden. 
4. Stir in the beans, passata sauce and sugar, bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Season well. 
5. 5. Divide into 4 oven-proof serving bowls and top with the cheese. 
6. Bake for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. 
7. Top with fresh basil and serve with the buttered, toasted baguette. 

Make it your own

To feed a bigger crowd and up the protein intake, brown 4 sliced chicken breast fillets in oil in a large skillet or ovenproof pan for about 2-3 minutes per side or until golden. Then prepare our cheesy Italian baked beans recipe as required.

Spinach & garlic pasta 

Serves 4 

Serve spinach pasta with fresh cherry tomatoes or crispy bacon for a fuller meal. 

Ingredients 

For the sauce  

3 cloves garlic, minced 
1 packet (400g) baby spinach or Swiss chard 
1/2 punnet (10g) fresh basil, leaves torn and stems discarded 
1/2 onion, sliced 1 lemon, zested and juiced 
Salt and milled pepper   

1 packet (500g) fusilli pasta, cooked 
Grated Parmesan, for serving  

Method 

1. Add garlic and spinach to a large bowl and pour over 1 cup boiling water to wilt. 
2. Set aside for 1-2 minutes before removing from the liquid and adding to a blender. 
3. Add remaining sauce ingredients and blitz until mixture is smooth. 
4. Toss together pasta and sauce, then serve on a platter garnished with grated Parmesan. 

Make it your own

Not a fan of spinach? Why not roast some red, yellow or green peppers over an open flame or in the oven? Then blitz together with remaining recipe ingredients to create a fragrant sauce for the pasta.

Recipes and styling: Sjaan Van Der Ploeg
Photographs: Zhann Solomons