go to meals II: Pasta with Butter and Parmesan

I keep a variety of pasta shapes on hand. The kids love wagon wheels, shells, penne, and these bow ties pictured above. This recipe is Pasta with Butter and Parmesan Cheese. This is easy, fast, and delicious. I remember coming up with it one day when our ingredients in the pantry and the fridge were scarce. And it turned out really good. Then one day, I bought a bottle of shredded parmesan cheese and saw an almost identical recipe printed on the back. So I guess it's not entirely an original recipe. But it is very versatile. To make it a complete meal, I add vegetables and chicken. I keep Costco bags of mixed vegetable on hand for when I'm in a hurry or not in the mood to cook.

1 16 oz. box of favorite pasta
1 cup of parmesan cheese, shredded (the sprinkle kind just won't cut it)
1 cube of butter
1-3 cloves garlic, minced (optional-my kids prefer it without or with a minimum)
grilled chicken (optional)
mixed vegetables (0ptional)

Boil pasta according to package instructions. While pasta is draining in colander, melt butter in pasta pot over low heat until melted but not browned. Add garlic if desired. When butter is melted, add drained pasta back to pot and mix until coated evenly in butter mixture. Add parmesan. Mix well, until evenly coated with the cheese. At this point you can add in your cooked vegetables, and grilled chicken. Serve immediately.

This is a go to meal for me because it really doesn't take much time to prepare and the chicken and vegetables can be prepared in advance. I didn't take a picture of the pasta with the vegies and chicken added because it got gobbled up by hungry people as soon as I added it. Lisa, another police wife, posted another pasta recipe that looks really good.