No time to cook? Can’t afford to buy takeaways or prepared meals? Want something that's healthy, yet easy to make?
We asked nzgirl's writers to share the dinners they cook when they're in a rush, but still want something healthy and tasty.
Try whipping up my never fail, quick meal - pasta with beef sauce and a side of vegetables! This meal is ideal because it is quick and easy to prepare, uses cheap everyday ingredients, not to mention it’s very tasty. Plus it's an excellent source of nutrients such as vitamin B12, iron, vitamin A, Vitamin C, thiamin, and folate, which are essential for good health.
Quick Pasta with Beef Sauce Serves four
Ingredients
2 cloves of garlic
1 can of tomato puree or 1.5 cups of fresh tomatoes or 1 can of tomatoes
1/2 onion
500g premium beef mince
300g uncooked pasta
1 cup of grated low fat cheese (such as, Edam or mozzarella) or a pinch of Parmesan
2-3 cups of vegetables (i.e. capsicum, carrot, broccoli, corn)
About 200g mushrooms
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 tablespoon of reduced salt soy sauce
Method 1. Heat frying pan and add oil to the pan. 2. Prepare the pasta according the packet’s instructions. 3. Dice onion and garlic, and brown in frying pan. 4. Slice the mushrooms. 5. Add mince to the pan and cook until the mince is brown. Drain the mince of excess fat. 6. Return pan to heat and add the soy sauce, tomatoes and mushrooms. 7. Allow the mixture to boil and simmer for a few minutes. 8. Place the mince sauce on the pasta and sprinkle with cheese.9. Serve with a side of vegetables.
something that's healthy, yet easy to make? 
1. Heat frying pan and add oil to the pan. 2. Prepare the pasta according the packet’s instructions. 3. Dice onion and garlic, and brown in frying pan. 4. Slice the mushrooms. 5. Add mince to the pan and cook until the mince is brown. Drain the mince of excess fat. 6. Return pan to heat and add the soy sauce, tomatoes and mushrooms. 7. Allow the mixture to boil and simmer for a few minutes. 8. Place the mince sauce on the pasta and sprinkle with cheese.9. Serve with a side of vegetables.