Welcome to the First Edition of Hungry AF!

If you are here, it is probably because, like me, you are very busy with work, family, and life in general. But we all have to eat! And we know we should probably do most of that cooking at home, and, oh yeah - make it healthy, too. That’s a lot of pressure! My goal is to share recipes and food-related information to make mealtimes delicious (first, and foremost!), quick for weeknights, easy enough for beginners, and hopefully healthy-ish.

So for our first focus… Let’s face it—weeknight dinners can feel like a chore. You’re tired, hungry, and the last thing you want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. But what if I told you that dinner can be quick, easy, and still delicious enough to make you feel like a culinary expert? 🍴 Let’s kick things off with a recipe that’s all about minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Featured Recipe

Creamy One-Pan Garlic Parmesan Pasta

This recipe is comfort food at its finest, and the best part? It’s ready in just 20 minutes, uses one pan (easy cleanup FTW!), and is totally customizable.

Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of these links, I may make a commission from it.

Ingredients:

* 8 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta (extra points for whole grain pasta)

* 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (opt for nonfat & low sodium)

* 4 cloves garlic, minced (or jarlic, for convenience)

* 1 cup heavy cream (sub with half-and-half for a lighter option, or an alternative milk if you are dairy-free)

* 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (one ingredient I refuse to substitute!)

* 2 tbsp butter (or non-dairy alternative)

* Salt and pepper, to taste

* Optional add-ins: Cooked chicken, tofu or shrimp for protein, spinach for iron and vitamins, and/or mushrooms for fiber

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).

2. Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring it to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally.

3. Once the pasta is cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed, reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy and smooth.

4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss in any optional add-ins, like cooked protein or veggies, for extra flavor.

5. Serve immediately and enjoy your one-pan masterpiece!

Hungry Hack

Short on time? Use pre-minced garlic and pre-cooked protein to minimize prep time.

Want to make it fancy? Sprinkle some fresh parsley or red pepper flakes on top for a pop of flavor and color.

Wrapping Up

Tried this recipe? I’d love to see your creations (and any fun twists you added)! Snap a pic, tag me on social media, and use the hashtag #HungryAF to share your masterpiece with the community. Let’s inspire each other to keep things delicious and stress-free!

What do you want to see in future issues? More recipes that meet specific needs? Kitchen hacks to save time? Special spices or ingredients to modify flavors? A specific culture or cuisine? Let me know!

Here’s to easy weeknight dinners and full bellies! Stay hungry (and a little AF),

Jenn Fast 🍝

P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already—next week, we’re talking about the secret to leveling up your leftovers. You won’t want to miss it!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit hungryaf.substack.com