When I (Liam) was studying, I usually ate my way through my groceries pretty damn quickly given I was running upwards of 85 miles a week and was a growing lad with an insatiable appetite. Basically, this meant that I was left with bags of pasta, half a tub of hummus in the fridge – having finished all my dipping apparatus – some frozen veg and not much else.

But that meant I could whip this little number up pronto and also not be scrimping on the ol' nutrients.

So before this intro descends into a full novel like some recipe websites, let's get to the important part. Quantities and measurements be damned.

Ingredients:

Pasta of your choice (but I'll be disappointed in you if it's not Fettucine, Linguine or Spaghetti)
Hummus
Vegan or Dairy Cheese, grated: some kind of Parmesan works best, or a mix of Parm and Cheddar
Non-dairy spread
Onion
Garlic
Broccoli - fresh or frozen
Peas
Any other veg, but Mushrooms are strongly suggested
Herbs (Mixed Italian, Oregano, Tarragon all work well)
Chilli Powder
Optional: Lemon juice, Maple Syrup

Method:

Whack that oven to medium, like 180-200º is fine who cares

Get your broccoli cut into small floret chunks, or if you're really smart you'll use frozen broccoli to avoid chopping.

Chuck it in a roasting dish or baking sheet and douse in olive oil and season as you wish. Sprinkle that chilli powder on there for some colour and a dribble of Maple syrup or honey if you want to get it caramelising. Cook for around 15 mins, then turn it and back in for 10. Should be tender with some nice gentle char on the tips.

While that's going: Water into pan. Salt into water. Pan onto heat. Boil. This is for your pasta.

Chop the onions and, whilst you cry floods of oniony tears, get them sweating in a frying pan over medium heat. A little oil will help. Keep them moving. Get them all caramelised and sweet. Add your mushrooms too.

Pasta water is probably boiling now. Get those noodles in.

Add your garlic until you smell the sharp garlicky-smell mellow out. Doesn't take long, maybe a minute or so. Add the peas.

Season with the herbs and salt and pepper to taste. Turn off the heat. Wait for pasta to finish cooking and save a cup of cooking water.

Add about half a tub of hummus, 2 spoons or so of spread an optional drop or two of lemon juice and a little pasta water to the pan with veg and stir to bring it all together in harmony. It shouldn't be too thin. Dump in the cheese (at least as much cheese as hummus) and get that mixed and melted.

You can mix your broccoli in or keep it to top it off. I don't care. It works. You can also add in the oil it was cooking in for extra flavours. Again, you are an adult. I cannot control you.

You're done. Sit down and enjoy.

- by Liam Dee