Forktionary

Clean Out Recipe

This vibrant and adaptable recipe is born from a fridge clean-out, resulting in a delicious and surprisingly flavorful pasta dish! Packed with fresh vegetables and savory chicken (easily omitted for a vegetarian option), this recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Don't worry about exact measurements – the beauty of this dish lies in its improvisational nature. Add your favorite veggies, adjust seasonings to your liking, and enjoy a unique culinary creation every time! My boyfriend loved it so much he insisted I share this recipe treasure!

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 39 mins
Calories 805.2 kcal
Protein 81g
Rating 4.0 (1 Reviews)
Clean Out 12

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Clean Out

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Clean Out? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Clean Out

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat.
  2. Add 1 medium onion, chopped, and 2 cloves garlic, minced. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add 1 cup chopped bell peppers (any color), 1 cup chopped broccoli florets, and 1/2 cup chopped carrots. Cook until slightly tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or omit for vegetarian option). Cook until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Stir in 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
  7. Meanwhile, cook 8 ounces penne pasta according to package directions.
  8. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
  9. Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the chicken and vegetables.
  10. Add 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water and toss to coat, adding more water if needed to create a light sauce.
  11. Serve immediately and garnish with fresh parsley (optional).

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

14 g

Sugar

22g

Fat

32g

Carbs

35g

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

60 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion North American Sauces Main Dish Condiments Etc Side Dishes Pasta Poultry Vegetables American Southern United States Easy Beginner Cook Chicken Stove Top Dietary Spicy One Dish Meal Inexpensive Meat Pasta Rice And Grains Taste Mood Equipment