This is an extremely simple way to cook pasta using a tin to measure all the ingredients. It is a good way to cook pasta if you’re not very confident with boiling water, because you do not have to drain the pasta, it cooks in the liquid that becomes the sauce! The sauce is made using tinned tomatoes, so you can then use that tin to measure the rest of the ingredients. The pasta can either be cooked in a saucepan or in an oven as a bake, whichever you find easier. You can also add any vegetables you like, dried herbs, stock or meat such as ham or tuna in with the pasta too, so you have a complete meal.

Ingredients. Serves 2 generously.

1. 1 tin tomatoes, chopped (you can buy ready-chopped tomatoes if this is easier)

2. 1 tin of water

3. 3 or 4 handfuls of pasta, enough to fill the tin

4. A pinch of dried herbs/seasoning

5. Vegetables such as carrots, spinach, peas or kale, chopped

6. 1 tin of tuna or 2 or 3 slices of ham broken into pieces (optional)

7. Cheese to sprinkle on the top (you can buy ready-grated if this is easier.)

Method.

1. Pour the tin of tomatoes into a saucepan or oven-proof dish, so that the tin is free for masuring the other ingredients.

2. Fill the tin with water (or stock) and pour this into the saucepan.

3. Fill the tin with pasta and add to the saucepan.

4. Add any chopped vegetables.

5. Add any seasoning or herbs at this stage and stir.

6. Cook on high heat for 5 minutes until the pasta is boiling. I listen to see if it’s boiling and you can also feel the steamcoming off the saucepan.

7. Turn down to medium heat and cook for a further 15 minutes, stirring occasionally so the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the saucepan.

8. When cooked, remove from the heat and add the tuna or ham if using. Stir this in with the pasta.

7. Spoon the pasta into bowls and sprinkle with the grated cheese.

8. Serve immediately.