Pasta Ragout
James Martin
During the winter, slow-cooked dishes with fall-apart meat are the ultimate comfort food. Slow cooking at low temperatures helps retain nutrients that might otherwise by lost at higher heats. ‘Hearty and warming,’ says TV chef James Martin of his pasta ragout, a Yorkshire spin on the classic meaty pasta dish. Simmer the vegetables, beef and sausages for two hours before cooking the pasta in boiling salted water. Spoon the cooked pasta into the ragout and top with grated cheese. Cook it.
Sausage and Broccoli Pasta
Jamie Oliver
‘This is all about the food that you love made really healthy,’ says Jamie Oliver. ‘We’re gonna [sp] do a really gorgeous pasta. My sausage and broccoli pasta is very simple and straightforward and this is something my family absolutely love.’ Best news to come; Not only is this comfort food a doddle to make, it is packed with vitamin K, folic acid and vitamin C, boosting our immune systems and beating any cold weather blues. Cook it.
Vegan Mac and Cheese with Black Truffle
Pasta Evangelists
Decadent and surprisingly gooey (despite a lack of dairy), this vegan take on the American classic macaroni cheese will warm both your body and soul. For more where this came from, look to delivery service Pasta Evangelists which posts fresh pasta meals and sauces in letterbox-sized kits. Both Prue Leith and Times restaurant critic Giles Coren rate their recipes, as do we. Cook it.
Orzo Carbonara
Delicious Magazine
A novel take on the Italian’s spaghetti carbonara, this sensational recipe opts for orzo instead of rigatoni or spaghetti to create an unparalleled creaminess. It’s like a risotto but easier. Whiz up this recipe with egg and diced pancetta in just twenty minutes. Season with plenty of black paper a finely grating of parmesan. A crowd pleaser. Cook it.
Beef Stroganoff with Herby Papardelle
BBC Good Food
Instead of serving beef stroganoff with rice, dole it out onto pappardelle pasta sprinkled with parsley or coriander. Papardelle are the long, flat and broad noodle-type pasta best for rich meat sauces. Edit the recipe to your own taste. Spice it up with chorizo or paprika to enhance the flavour. Switch out shallots for onions and garlic or crème fraiche for coconut cream. Be bold and make it your own. Cook it.
Italian-style Winter Pasta
Waitrose
Based on the hearty Italian stew pasta e favioli, this super simple vegan take on a classic works wonders on a cold wintry night. Your kitchen will soon be wafting of garlic, rosemary and soffrito (onion, celery and carrot aromatic mix). Simmer the macaroni and stir through the cavolo nero till it wilts. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and scatter with freshly cracked black pepper. Cook it.
By Annabel Jack
January 2024
