Take-out Tuesday, Convenience Food Fix Up
I do have several frozen convenience foods that I turn to when I’m tired or just plain lazy in times of crisis. AND, I just found a new one!!
I am a big fan of some of the Buitoni fresh pastas, and I use their light Alfredo Sauce, sparingly, in lots of dishes for a touch of creamy richness~when I saw this box of Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce in the freezer section I had to try it!
Mr. Boring, HH, would eat meat and potatoes for every meal so we have compromised over the years and I cook what I like Mon, Tues, Wed. and then he cooks Thurs and Sunday. It works out great and we both get to enjoy what we like. He’s sweet though and is so tired after work he really doesn’t care and gladly chows down on my experiments!
I think a little sauteed sweet onion adds a ton of subtle flavor, so I cooked some until soft and added some ham and asparagus
Break off the tough ends of the asparagus and rinse well. Wrap the asparagus in a kitchen towel and microwave on high for one minute to start the cooking process. Then cut into pieces and toss them into the skillet with the cooked onion and ham.
After the ham has started to brown, turn the heat to low low and put a lid on the asparagus so it can steam a little bit while you cook the pasta. As you can see, I just sort of mounded it in the middle and used a small lid so it wouldn’t steam too much~You don’t want overcook your asparagus! Unless you like it all mushy and stringy which I don’t.
Follow the package directions {you let the sauce packet warm in the water for the pasta as it comes to a boil, so easy] Once the pasta is done and drained I tossed it into the skillet with the ham and asparagus and poured the sauce over all.
Stir gently and make sure everything is hot and happy.
Top with some pine nuts and fresh Parm and you have a wonderful easy one dish meal!
The box says it’s a complete meal for 2, but with the additions I made, 1 bunch of asparagus and about 4 semi thick slices of deli ham, this made 4 ample servings!
Do you have a favorite go-to secret short cut for an easy dinner? I would LOVE to know 🙂 , you know just in case I get tired or just plain lazy have another crisis!
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I have been wanting to try these products but I had never heard anybody try them before…I never took the chance…scary cat me☺ Thank you for sharing this…I will definitely now give them a try.
It really was good, of course homemade brown butter sage sauce would be better, but I love that it is a different flavor profile than the usual pastas. Adding the fresh vegetables really elevated it too and the ham added more flavor~and bacon would be great! Thanks Laurie!
It looks great Jenna. I like to embellish convenience foods once in awhile too.
You, lazy? Never! 🙂 Even for a “quick fix”, this has layers of elaborate flavor! It looks delicious, and I’m on a hunt for those freezer items at my grocery store – hope I can find them. Another meal of yours I want to put my face into!
Thanks Kim, so sweet! I was kind of embarrassed about posting this, but it really is good! I wish Buitoni would send me a thank you note!
I’m glad you decided to post it. Otherwise we would have missed out! Yeah, you should at least get some free Buitoni food “in trade” for the free adverts! 😉
Oh I’ll have to look for the Butternut Squash Ravioli in the freezer section! I always look forward to finding it seasonally along with pumpkin ravioli in the refrigerator case at my grocery store. Love your additions of the asparagus, ham, and pine nuts Jenna! I would be thrilled to sit down and enjoy that as meal!