• Cooking Time: 10
• Servings: 1
• Preparation Time: 5
• 100g pasta
• Jar of basil / sun-dried tomato pesto
• Tin of tuna / chicken breast
• Sweetcorn / peas / olives
• Grated cheese

1. 1. If using chicken, dice and fry on a medium heat until golden on the outside yet moist in the middle.
3. 2. Boil the pasta until al dente in a pan of boiling, salted water.
5. 3. Drain the pasta before returning it to the pan. Season generously with olive oil and black pepper. Add a couple of generous spoonfuls of pesto, the tin of tuna or chicken, and any further additions (sweetcorn, peas, olives).
7. 4. Mix it all up over a gentle heat, serve topped with a handful of grated cheese and more black pepper.

This recipe is known the world over for its simplicity. It's a godsend on those working week nights when you're short of time and inspiration, and don't want to sink to a takeaway or beans on toast.