This holiday season seems busier than ever with working from home, helping with schoolwork and trying to make things festive. Here’s a quick survival dinner. Most of the ingredients you may have on hand. I used fresh fettuccini. I keep some in my freezer for quick meals, but you can use any type of pasta.

Add red bell peppers cut into cubes to a bag of prewashed salad for colorful holiday salad.

Helpful Hints

- Four garlic cloves can be used instead of minced garlic.

- Any hard cheese such as manchego or Romano can be used instead of Parmesan.

- A quick way to chop basil is to wash, dry and snip the leaves with a scissors right off the stem.

Countdown

- Place water for pasta on to boil.

- Make salad and set aside.

- Make pasta.

SHOPPING LIST

To buy: 1 package fresh fettuccini, 1 can reduced-sodium canned diced tomatoes, 1 can tomato paste, 1 bunch basil, 1 jar minced garlic, 1 6-ounce can white-meat tuna packed in water, 1 container pitted black olives, 1-piece Parmesan cheese, 1 bag washed, ready-to-eat salad, 2 red bell peppers and 1 bottle reduced-fat oil and vinegar dressing.

Staples: olive oil, salt and black peppercorns.