Between the blog posts, social networking, three crazy dogs, a high schooler with an unbelievable amount of homework and – let’s face it, a million other things – serving a home-cooked meal is something that I struggle with, even now that I work from home!
One of our favorite dinners has always been pasta, and I find that even now that I work from home, pasta is still my go-to dinnertime staple!
Today is World Pasta Day and I thought I’d share a Barilla pasta dinner recipe from The Modern Family Pasta Cookbook!
I received a little sneak peak of The Modern Family Pasta Cookbook, and it was full of mouth-watering recipes; so much so that I had a hard time choosing what to make first!
We eventually settled on the Barilla Lemon Spaghetti pasta recipe, which seemed to be a light and flavorful dish, plus I had a ton of leaves on my basil plant that I wanted to use!
Angeline and I gathered our ingredients for making Barilla lemon spaghetti but then found we were missing one key ingredient…LEMONS!
We decided to go ahead and make it anyway, sans the lemons. Part of the ease of cooking pasta for dinner on a busy week night is that you really can’t go wrong with altering recipes! Lemon or no lemon, this recipe sounded delicious!
So, why did we choose this recipe from the Modern Family Pasta Cookbook? Because it was so quick and easy – and tasted fantastic – that we were still able to throw together a great meal and sit down for a home-cooked dinner together, despite our crazy schedules!
Growing up, we always had dinner together as a family, and that is really important to me now that I have my own family. And nine times out of ten, serving a home-cooked pasta dish is going to taste better and be healthier for my family than any take out fast food!
Barilla Lemon Spaghetti
INGREDIENTS
1 pound Barilla Spaghetti
2 fresh lemons
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2/3 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano
cheese, freshly grated, or add your
favorite Italian grated cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped, or substitute
with 1/2 tablespoon dry basil
Directions
Grate lemon peels and place lemon zest in a small bowl. Juice the lemons into a separate large bowl, then whisk the lemon juice, oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in the large bowl and blend. Set the lemon sauce aside.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Add the spaghetti to the lemon sauce, and toss with the basil and lemon zest. Toss the pasta with enough reserved cooking liquid, 1/4 cup at a time, to moisten.
Barilla conducted a survey and found the following:
- 88% of parents rely on multi-tasking each day and more than half (58%) say their life is more hectic now, than a year ago.
- Twowo-in-five people who normally prepare the meals agree it is difficult to find time to prepare dinner.
- Most people worry that the alternative to a home-cooked meal will offer poor nutritional content (74%) and they will miss out on family time at the table (65%).
Get social with Barilla on Facebook and check out the Barilla Facebook Share a Hug page to help Barilla donate to Feeding America!
You can also receive a download of the Modern Family Pasta Cookbook and a coupon (while supplies last).
What kinds of things get in the way of your meal planning and preparation?
According to a survey conducted by Barilla, these are some common issues that prevent man from enjoying a home-cooked meal on a regular basis:
- Work
- Household chores
- Errands
- Kids’ after school activities
- Kids’ homework
I can personally relate to every single one of those things! It’s so easy to prepare an easy pasta dish while helping the kids with homework, doing a load of laundry – or like I normally do – typing out a blog post!
So…what’s for dinner tonight? Could it be…pasta? It is World Pasta Day, after all!
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I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Barilla. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank-you for participating. All opinions are my own.
Alison says
October 25, 2012 at 8:08 amPasta is often our go-t0 meal as well, even now that I’m a SAHM. It’s easy and satisfying.
This recipe looks/sounds delicious. We love lemon dishes, so this is going on the “Recipes to Try” list!
Kathleen Kennedy-Leon says
October 25, 2012 at 8:30 amwow–you look like you could be on a cooking show with such nice pictures and directions–we love pasta in this house. and Lemon–never thought to try it–we will be–getting some great ideas today-thanks
Cristine says
October 25, 2012 at 8:48 amI’m just like you multitasking constantly. I could use this dish for the family- easily reheated by the husband when he eats as the kids are at practice. Interesting use of lemon too.
Tara says
October 25, 2012 at 8:50 amThis looks really good! We make a lot of fish in our house and I think this recipe will compliment some grill mahi mahi. Yum!
Jeannette says
October 25, 2012 at 9:03 amWow – this looks yummy and like a perfect quick dinner with a lighter taste than traditional Spaghetti! Thanks for sharing!
Lisa Weidknecht says
October 25, 2012 at 9:06 amSince I’m on a diet, I can’t eat pasta, but I’m loving looking at recipes to live vicariously through! Yummy!!!
melissa says
October 25, 2012 at 9:06 amWe love Barilla:) Your meal looks absolutely delicious!! Thanks for sharing!
Angela says
October 25, 2012 at 9:29 amI was actually thinking about making this for dinner tonight. I think you just sealed the deal!
Mellisa says
October 25, 2012 at 9:59 amPasta is one of my favorite comfort foods. It’s so easy to make too! Thanks for the recipe.
Nichol says
October 25, 2012 at 10:07 amYep it is pasta night here just not sure what yet. Lemon spaghetti is yummy! And Barilla Plus is awesome pasta!
Leigh says
October 25, 2012 at 11:16 amThis looks delicious! I am making it tonight, for sure. Pasta is a staple in my house, and I totally want that cookbook.
rachel says
October 25, 2012 at 6:40 pmYUM!
Donna says
October 25, 2012 at 9:45 pmI eat pasta… a LOT! I love it!
A Time Out for Mommy- Elaina says
October 25, 2012 at 10:07 pmThis sounds DEEEELICIOUS!
TerriAnn says
October 25, 2012 at 11:28 pmPasta is the BEST for the colder days setting in. Love how you plated that! Using lemon is a great idea too!
Lolo says
October 26, 2012 at 1:53 amI had no idea that there was world pasta day.
Colleen says
October 26, 2012 at 9:01 pmThat looks great. I haven’t eaten dinner yet and this looks perfect.
Ty says
October 26, 2012 at 10:53 pmLooks great!
Toni says
October 28, 2012 at 9:51 pmSports definitely get in my way of meal planning.
Elena says
November 15, 2012 at 1:54 pmThank you for the recipe! Looks yummy and easy to make
Marysa says
November 18, 2012 at 8:49 pmThis looks really good! I’m a vegetarian and this sounds like a great dish. Will have to pin to Pinterest!
Jennie says
November 29, 2012 at 6:11 pmWe eat a lot of pasta… it’s so quick, and there are endless variations you can make with the sauce. This lemon spaghetti sounds tasty!