The Soul of Sustainable Cooking
Welcome to another nourishing recipe from our zero waste kitchen! Today’s dish transforms a classic comfort food into an environmentally conscious meal that honors both your body and our planet. This Spicy Chicken Rigatoni balances rich flavors with mindful cooking practices, allowing you to create something delicious while minimizing food waste.
Ingredients
For each ingredient, I’ve included zero waste tips to maximize their use
For the Pasta and Protein:
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips (save trimmings for homemade stock)
- 1 pound rigatoni noodles, cooked al dente (or use any pasta shape you have on hand)
For the Aromatic Base:
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3-4 cloves) (plant sprouted garlic cloves in your kitchen garden)
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes (save seeds from fresh peppers to dry your own)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt (consider mineral-rich sea salt with reusable grinder)
- 3-4 tablespoons olive oil (bottle can be reused for homemade infusions)
For the Creamy Sauce:
- 2 cups heavy cream (buy in glass containers when possible)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (make extra and freeze in glass jars for future meals)
- ½ cup peas (fresh or frozen from seasonal harvest)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (compost paper wrapping, save wrappers for fire starters)
- Fresh grated parmesan cheese for garnish (buy whole wedges and grate as needed, save rinds for soup stock)
Mindful Preparation
- Prepare Your Space
- Center yourself before cooking, setting an intention to create minimal waste
- Lay out glass containers for vegetable scraps (for stock) and any recyclables
- Have compost container accessible
- Prepare Pasta
- Cook rigatoni according to package directions in salted water
- Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining (useful for thinning sauce if needed)
- Drain and keep warm
- Zero waste tip: Cook exactly the amount needed or plan to repurpose leftovers
- Cook Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large cast iron or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat
- Add garlic, red pepper flakes, and black pepper
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant but not burnt
- Add chicken strips and salt
- Cook until chicken is fully done, about 3-4 minutes
- Zero waste tip: Use kitchen thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F without overcooking
- Create Sauce
- Pour marinara sauce over chicken
- Add heavy cream and stir to combine
- Simmer for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld
- Add butter and peas
- Stir until butter melts completely
- Zero waste tip: Use silicone spatula to get every bit of sauce from containers
- Combine and Serve
- Mix cooked pasta into sauce, coating each piece evenly
- If sauce is too thick, add small amounts of reserved pasta water
- Garnish with fresh parmesan cheese
- Optional: Add extra red pepper flakes for those who prefer more heat
- Serve in warmed bowls to enhance the dining experience
Preservation & Storage
Store any leftovers in glass containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making this dish excellent for mindful meal planning. Add a splash of water or cream when reheating to restore creaminess.
Zero Waste Kitchen Notes
- Chicken Bones & Scraps: Save any trimmings in a freezer container to make homemade stock later
- Vegetable Scraps: Garlic skins and onion ends can go into your stock bag or compost
- Cheese Rinds: Save parmesan rinds to add rich flavor to future soups and stews
- Pasta Water: Contains starch and salt that makes an excellent base for bread dough or watering acid-loving plants
- Shopping Mindfully: Purchase ingredients in bulk when possible, bringing your own containers to minimize packaging
Holistic Nourishment
This dish offers a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that satisfy both body and soul. The garlic and red pepper provide warming properties that boost circulation and immunity, while the creamy sauce offers comfort and grounding energy. Eat slowly and with gratitude, acknowledging the nourishment that comes from food prepared with care and consciousness.
Total Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Servings: 6 people
What other zero waste kitchen tips would you like to see featured in future recipes? Let us know in the comments below!