Its easy because its a Halfway Homemade Meals
Dinner is a perpetual struggle between time and effort versus taste and conscience.
How often do you come home from work too tired to cook? But you still want to serve something that’s enjoyable and healthy?
For me, it's a constant battle. Of course I would love to serve some pre-marinated goodness with a side of only locally available, fresh from the market side salad, but then there’s reality. And reality has too often been a quick run to Panera Bread or heating up some frozen chicken tenders and fries in the oven.
But we are actually getting smarter! I guess something along the lines of the saying “with age comes wisdom..” maybe more like, with age comes a need to eat better cause we really can’t keep up our teenage eating habits! So instead we’re finding some balance that requires less effort but still has some homemade touches, or halfway homemade meals!
Meal Idea
For this first meal, it's obvious I'm back from a recent Trader Joe's run but they are really good with products that get you a delicious well-thought out meal without the usual hassle.
This time I was looking for a one pot, meat-less meal option. Ravioli or any type of filled pasta is perfect for this. Trader Joe's actually has many vegetarian options for ravioli: Cauliflower and Cheese, Butternut Squash, Mushroom just to name a few! But most supermarkets have a nice selection of fresh pasta options.
As for the homemade side of this meal (I may have cheated a little bit here because its not very homemade but...), I made a cream sauce with onion, garlic, Boursin cheese, veggie stock and Parmesan cheese.
At the very end, throw in some freshly blanched English Peas and garnish with fresh herbs! Dinner will be on your table in less than 20 minutes!
*This is not a sponsored post. I purchased the products myself. I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above.
Ravioli with Boursin Cheese Cream Sauce and English Peas
Ingredients
- 1 package of pre-made ravioli any flavor
- 1 ounce Boursin Cheese I used the Garlic and Fine Herb Flavor
- 5 ounces English Peas fresh or frozen
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 cube vegetable bouillon or just use ½ cup of Veggie Stock
- ½ cup water warmed
- ⅓ cup half & half
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- fresh herbs like basil or parsley optional for garnish
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ravioli as directed on package. Set aside once ready
- If using fresh peas, boil water, drop peas into boiling water and cook for 90 seconds. Remove from water and set aside.
- Add bouillon cube to the warm water to allow it to dissolve. This will create a concentrated veggie stock. Set aside once the bouillon cube is fully dissolved. (The warm water helps it dissolve faster, microwave the water in 30 second increments and stir if the bouillon cube is not dissolving). Skip this step if you are using ready to use veggie stock.
- Heat butter in a wide pan, saute onions in melted butter for 2-3 minutes. Add diced garlic and saute for another minute.
- Add Boursin cheese, stir to melt into a sauce. Stir in the veggie stock, half and half and Parmesan cheese until melt and creamy. Add in the peas.
- Season with pepper. Add salt only after tasting, with the cheese and stock you just added, you may not need it.
- Gently add the ravioli to the sauce and remove from heat.
- Top with fresh basil and parsley (if using)
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