Super Simple Sunday: Pasta with Olives and Feta

I am two weeks in to being back at work full time, and so the cooking routine is definitely shifting.  My leisurely time of spending all day on a dish is gone for the moment, and I am back to some of my trusty “fast food” dishes.  One of our favorite fast dishes is this simple pasta, which has a number of variations to keep it interesting. I love the flavor and texture of feta with pasta, but fresh goat cheese or parmesan are great substitutes.  Swap out green olives for the black, toss in capers…you get the idea.

Here is the recipe:

Pasta with Olives and Feta

2 teaspoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce (I like Newman’s Own)
1 cup of your favorite olives, pitted and sliced
pinch of crushed red pepper
1 cup crumbled feta cheese

In a large saucepan with a lid, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant.  Add the marinara sauce, olives, and crushed red pepper, reduce the heat to medium, and cover.  Cook until heated through, then remove from heat and stir in the crumbled feta (some of it will melt into the sauce).  Toss with your favorite pasta and serve, sprinkled with additional feta, if desired.  Serves four to six.

I typically do this with linguini, as pictured, but it is great with penne or spaghetti.  A nice, simple dish to serve your family.

Thanks for reading,

-Angela