Goodbye Summer, hello Autumn!
With the start of the school year officially upon us, weeknights are bound to become a whole lot busier. Mash Direct are here to help with a selection of quick and delicious weeknight meals, Mash Direct’s recipes will help you get dinner on the table (and ensure the entire family is well-fed) no matter how jam-packed your afternoon schedule is!
Getting dinner on the table with with Mash Direct means no fuss, Monday through Friday. We know how busy the days can be and these recipes are quick and easy to prepare. Packed full of delicious vegetables, and something for all the family-it’s a win, win!
Each of these recipes are quick and easy - that means you should have the majority of ingredients on hand already and that there's no fancy equipment or techniques necessary!
Broccoli & Chicken Pasta Bake
Ingredients:
1 packet of Mash Direct Broccoli with a Cheese Sauce
450g dried penne pasta (use gluten free if desired)
350g diced chicken pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
200g cream cheese with garlic and herbs
50g red pesto
100g mature cheddar cheese, grated
1 slice white bread, processed into crumbs (use gluten free if desired)
Method:
Preheat oven to 175°C, 350°F, Gas Mark 4.
Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and add all the pasta. Return to the boil. Cook the pasta until 'al dente' for 7-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
Meantime, heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Cook the chicken pieces until they are lightly browned and are cooked through to the middle.
Once the chicken is cooked, combine with the pasta in the pot.
Add the cream cheese, red pesto and Mash Direct Broccoli with a Cheese Sauce. Stir the ingredients gently so as not to break up the broccoli florets until well combined.
Pour the mixture into a deep casserole dish (roughly 30cm x 23cm). Top with grated cheese and the breadcrumbs.
Place in the oven for 20 minutes until golden and crisp on top.
Cottage Pie with Cheesy Mash Top
Ingredients:
2 packets of Mash Direct Cheesy Mash
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely diced
2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
1 celery stick, finely diced
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
1 pack (400g) lean steak/lamb mince
1 tbsp plain flour
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
450ml beef stock
Method:
Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 4-5, 180°C, 350°F.
In an ovenproof casserole dish on the hob, heat the oil and add the finely diced onion, carrots and celery. Cook over a low heat for ten minutes, until softened and lightly brown.
Add the crushed garlic and thyme, cooking until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes) before adding the mince. Turn up the heat to medium and cook, stirring periodically until the mince is browned all over and juices caramelise on the bottom of the casserole dish.
Stir in the flour, tomato puree and Worcestershire sauce to the mince for a minute or so to combine. Immediately add the chicken stock, bringing to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until the sauce is reduced and thickened.
Leave the mixture to cool for a few minutes and prepare the Mash Direct Cheesy Mash as directed. Top the mince mixture with the mash and smooth to create an even layer using the back of a large metal spoon.
Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes, until the mash is a bubbling golden brown.
Cauliflower, Pancetta and Macaroni Cheese
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 45-50 minutes
Oven temperature: 200°C (Fan 180°C), Gas Mark 6
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:
2 packs Mash Direct Cauliflower Cheese Gratin
250g dried macaroni
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red onion, finely sliced
100g smoked pancetta cubes
100ml cream
150g Mozzarella, grated
60g breadcrumbs
30g Parmesan, grated
Freshly milled salt and black pepper
Method:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (Fan 180°C), Gas Mark 6 and grease a 35 x 20cm oven-proof dish.
Heat the Mash Direct Cauliflower Cheese Gratin in a hot oven for 10 minutes.
Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and stir in the macaroni. Cook for 10 minutes, or until al dente, drain well.
Heat olive oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion until soft, then add the pancetta and cook until crisp. Stir in cream and bring to a boil, then remove from the heat and stir in mozzarella, macaroni and Cauliflower Cheese Gratin and pour into the oven-proof dish.
Mix the breadcrumbs with the Parmesan and scatter over the top.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Serve immediately.
Check out MashDirect.com for more info on the Mash Direct range and recipe inspiration.
Slán go fóill.