Faster pasta weeknight wonders

These tasty dishes are on the table with a minimum of fuss.

Chorizo and cherry tomato pasta. Picture: Guy Bailey.

These pasta dishes are weeknight wonders – easy to pull together and on the table with minimum fuss. Use spaghetti, linguini or fettuccine. Both recipes have a hint of chilli for a slight kick.

Chorizo & cherry tomato pasta

180g linguini

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small brown onion, chopped

100g chorizo sausage, sliced

1 garlic clove, sliced

Pinch dried chilli flakes

10 cherry tomatoes, halved

Finely grated zest ½ lemon

1 tablespoon pine nuts

2 tablespoon chopped basil leaves

Freshly grated parmesan, to serve

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add onion and chorizo and cook until onion has softened and chorizo has given off some coloured oil. Add garlic, chilli and cherry tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper and stir. Cook for 2 minutes. Drain pasta and add to pan along with lemon zest and pine nuts. Serve garnished with basil and grated parmesan. Serves 2

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Spaghetti with zucchini, chilli & mint

180g spaghetti

1 medium zucchini

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

½ long red chilli, sliced

1 tablespoon roughly chopped mint

Finely grated zest ½ lemon

Extra virgin olive oil, to serve

Freshly grated parmesan, to serve

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to packet instructions or until al dente. Meanwhile, slice zucchini into matchstick-sized pieces (or coarsely grate). Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add zucchini, garlic and chilli and saute for about 3 minutes, or until just tender. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. When pasta is cooked, drain and return to the pan. Add zucchini mixture, mint and lemon zest. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and freshly grated parmesan. Serves 2

To see more recipes by David Herbert, go to theaustralian.com.au/herbert-recipes [e-mail]