Tag: feta

Sausage & Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

Categories Recipes1 Comment on Sausage & Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta

Basil-y, garlicky, and cheesy, this Sausage & Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta is packed with flavor!  It’s a dinner that’s highly customizable, so be sure to check out the variation possibilities!

Feeding a group:

Follow the instructions as they are!

Not feeding a group:

If you’re only feeding one or two people, and the entirety of the dish will not be consumed on the first night, I recommend keeping the components separate.

Make the batch of pesto and store it in the refrigerator.  For each new day:

  • Make the pasta fresh
  • Stir in a serving of the pesto from the fridge
  • Add in the sausages, cheeses, and sun-dried tomatoes

This is because pesto and sun-dried tomatoes do not always reheat well without getting an oily consistency, and it’s a meal that overall tastes ideal when fresh!  (It’s best not to microwave this one.)

Can you use store-bought pesto?

Feel free to experiment!  You can adjust the add-ins to taste based on what variety you use.  This recipe uses the basic ingredients of my Nut-Free Pesto.

Other variations:

This meal is super versatile if you have any dietary restrictions!

  • Gluten-free?  Use gluten-free pasta.
  • Dairy-free?  Use vegan cheeses.
  • Vegetarian?  There are tons of veggie sausages out there!

Main Supplies Needed:

  • A Food Processor
  • A Cheese Grater (unless the cheese is pre-grated)
  • A Large Pot
  • A Colander
  • 10 x 15 Baking Or Serving Dish (or equivalent)

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

PESTO

Equates to approx. 1 1/4 Cups if substituting store-bought

  • 3 Cups Fresh Basil Leaves, packed
  • 3 Cloves Garlic
  • 1 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 3/4 Cup Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Sea Salt and Black Pepper, to taste

PASTA

  • 1 lb Penne, or pasta of choice

ADD-INS

  • 12 oz Spicy Italian Chicken Sausages, cooked and chopped
  • 1 Cup Sun-Dried Tomatoes, blotted to remove excess oil, and chopped/halved
  • 4 oz Crumbled Feta
  • 1/4 Cup Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese

TO SERVE

  • Extra Sea Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
  • Optional – Red Pepper Flakes, to taste

Directions:

PESTO

Wash, dry, and de-stem the basil leaves

Peel the garlic cloves

Blend the basil leaves and garlic cloves in a food processor, then add in the olive oil and blend again until thoroughly mixed

Once smooth, pour the mixture into a bowl and stir in the 3/4 cup parmesan

Add sea salt and black pepper to taste

Set aside

PASTA

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions

Drain in a colander and set aside

SAUSAGES

While the pasta is cooking, cook the sausages according to the package instructions

Chop into small bite-sized pieces

Set aside

SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Blot the tomatoes to remove the excess oil from the jar, and chop in half into bite-sized pieces

Set aside

ASSEMBLE

Add the pasta, sausage pieces, and sun-dried tomatoes into a 10 x 15 baking or serving dish (or equivalent)

Stir in scoops of the pesto until well-coated

Mix in the feta and the 1/4 cup parmesan 

Serve with extra sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper to taste

Enjoy!

Greek Chickpea Salad

Categories Recipes, Sides, Snacks4 Comments on Greek Chickpea Salad

Delicious all on its own, atop a slice of toasted fresh bread, or served with pita slices to share, this Greek Chickpea Salad is such an easy, fresh, springtime meal, snack, or party contribution.  It also works wonderfully as a meal prep option to have on hand in the fridge throughout the week.

This recipe could very easily be made vegan if the feta was replaced with a vegan cheese.

If you’re feeding a larger group, it’s simple to double the quantity.

Finally, it’s super versatile if you prefer to add more or less of any of the ingredients!

Servings: Approx. 5

Ingredients:

  • 3 Tbsp Finely Chopped Fresh Dill 
  • 1 Tbsp Finely Chopped Fresh Rosemary
  • 1 Finely Chopped Cucumber
  • 21 Sliced Kalamata Olives
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 3 Cups Prepared/Canned Chickpeas
  • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
  • 1/2 Cup + 2 Tbsp Feta Cheese Crumbles
  • 2 Chopped Medium Tomatoes
  • Sea Salt, To Taste
  • Black Pepper, To Taste
  • Red Pepper Flakes, To Taste

Directions:

Chop the fresh herbs, cucumber, tomato, and olives, and set aside

Squeeze the lemon juice and set aside

Drain, rinse, and dry the chickpeas

Optional – Peel the chickpeas (This is not required, but I find them to be more enjoyable this way!  After the rinsing process, you will see the outer layer beginning to peel off of them naturally.  They will pop out of their casings easily.)

Place the chickpeas in a large bowl

Add in the olive oil, cucumber, lemon juice, and herbs, and stir

Add in a small amount of salt, pepper, and red pepper, and stir again (You can add more later if needed.)

Next, mix in the feta, tomatoes, and olives

Add additional salt, pepper, and/or red pepper to taste

Serve, and enjoy!

[Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.]

Love these types of flavors?  Check out my Easy Greek Pasta Salad too!

Easy Greek Pasta Salad

Categories Recipes, Sides2 Comments on Easy Greek Pasta Salad

Meal prep doesn’t get easier than this Easy Greek Pasta Salad!  Perfect for use as a ready-made side dish or main meal, this recipe takes only minutes to prepare and can last you all week long!  The real best part is how customizable it is:  If you have alternate vegetables you’d prefer to substitute, use them!  If you want a bit more protein, add meat!  If you enjoy extra cheese, add more feta.  There are endless variations!

If experimenting in the kitchen isn’t your thing, fear not.  I promise this particular ingredient combo will be a crowd-pleaser at your next summer cookout, potluck, or family dinner.  No occasion?  No problem!  I love having this dish on hand for pre-made meals to go.  It’s the perfect work lunch.

It’s packed with tons of colorful veggies for a nutrition bonus, and depending on the serving size the batch can stretch a long way! 

Servings: 5 – 6 medium/large (or around 10 very small sides)

Ingredients:

Directions: 

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions and then set aside to cool off

Chop up the tomatoes, peppers, and cucumber into bite-sized pieces

Using a very large bowl, coat the cooled pasta in half of the greek dressing (Cooled cooking pots or baking dishes work well too.  Choose whatever you have on hand.)

Add the chopped veggies to the bowl

Then add the black olives and feta to the bowl as well

Add the remaining dressing and toss until all is evenly mixed

Add sea salt and black pepper to taste

Garnish with fresh parsley

Enjoy!

[Leftovers can easily be stored sealed/covered in the refrigerator.]

Ingredient recommendations linked!

Love Greek flavors? Try my Greek Chickpea Salad!