Five dollars. Fifteen minutes. A healthy dinner for four on the table...

...you are so welcome.

This meal came together so quickly and was so well received by my small brood, I was excited to share it here.  I would like to say it was inspired by a gorgeous photo spread in my favourite food magazine or that I strategically tested and retested various flavour and texture combinations until it was just right.  Ya.... not so much.

This is pretty much how it went down...

Saturday morning.

"Hun, do you mind taking Little to gymnastics this morning? I just have sooooo much work to do around here.  Thanks sweetie. Have fun & I will have a really nice lunch waiting for you guys when you get back."  

Fast forward 65 minutes later and my list of accomplishments included a hot shower, deep conditioning treatment and - if I do say so myself - a killer eyebrow shaping.  Insert expletive and a mad dash to pantry. They are now due home in five minutes.

Strategically send text to Mister "Have yummy lunch ready but it needs bread, swing by bakery before u come home?" Selfie high five, just bought myself 15 more minutes. 

I put a pot of water on (because that seems to be what people do in emergencies) and scoured pantry & fridge. One of my FAVORITE meals is a linguini alla vongole with pancetta. Given fresh clams and cured pork were not in play here I was able to improvise with spaghetti & canned tuna. I wanted to beef (pun!) up the protein so I added some chickpeas and truthfully the edamame was for colour but taste wise worked out great. I think it would have been even better with some fresh tomatoes at the end, or some bacon/pancetta etc.  Even without though, it was a great meal.

But if you know me, you know I like numbers.  - the numbers don't lie.

Dollar wise - can't beat can of tuna, can of garbanzo beans, box of spaghetti.  Time wise - can't beat a recipe that gives you something to do while water is boiling. I'm all about efficiency. 

Throw this in your back pocket and sometime over the next couple weeks when you are in a bind for a quick, healthy and satisfying weeknight supper, give this one a try...

...and then you can really thank me.

Easy Weeknight Spaghetti (with chickpeas, edamame & tuna)

Recipe Type: Main

Author: sixtyone45.com

Under 5 dollars and on the table in 15 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 package whole wheat organic spaghetti
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried chili flakes
• 1 small can of garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
• 1 cup edamame, shelled & frozen
• 1 can tuna, white (chopped or whole), in water or oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh grated parmesan
• salt and pepper to taste
• juice of half a lemon
• parsley/scallions for garnish

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package instructions to firm, al dente texture.
2. While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil over medium heat in heavy frying pan and add onion & garlic. Cook until translucent (about four minutes). Add garbanzo beans, frozen shelled edamame. Toss and cook an additional 7 - 9 minutes. (if you have a lid for the pan you can put it on here and steam the edamame a bit to cook them faster). Add tuna, breaking it apart and stiring to combine. Cook an additional 2 -3 minutes.
3. When pasta is done drain and add (using tongs is most effective) to the tuna and bean mixture, tossing thoroughly.
4. Squeeze with lemon, season with salt and pepper to taste, garnish with parmesan & parsley and serve.

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