Tribune News Service

This winter 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.