Pasta is about as close as you can get to "instant dinner." But instead of just adding a jar of sauce to the pasta, add in extras from the pantry and freezer for a more unique dinner.


* Use tomato sauce, cream and stock as a base for pasta with frozen vegetables and leftover chicken.
* Use a can of tuna, chicken stock, and cannellini beans for Pasta y Fagioli, or make a Southwest style pasta with black beans, chiles, and diced tomatoes.
* Sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, and any fresh or frozen vegetables can be sauteed together and tossed with pasta.