A Simple Pasta for a Rainy Afternoon

“A little jazz, a little warmth, and a bowl of something good.”

The weather was cloudy and rain had been falling on and off all day. My partner was working from home in our bedroom office, while I had set up my laptop in the living room by the patio door. The air was crisp — I like a little airflow — but the rest of the apartment was warm and cozy.

Around noon, I asked my partner what he’d like for lunch.

“Whatever you feel like making is fine with me,” he said.

Music to my ears.

I wanted to make something easy — a comforting pasta lunch. I already had two chicken breasts portioned from the day before, and a few strips of leftover bacon. I decided on a chicken and bacon spiral pasta with Alfredo sauce from a jar. Nothing complicated, just a warm, creamy meal to brighten the gray day.

In the Kitchen

The apartment glowed with ambient light from the small lamps in the living room. I turned on the main kitchen lights, tied on my apron, and put on some soft bossa nova jazz.

I started by frying three strips of bacon. Soon, the apartment filled with that unmistakable, savoury aroma. When the pieces turned crisp but still flexible, I transferred them to a plate lined with paper towel and poured the drippings into a small glass jar for future use.

Next, I filled a large pot with water and set it on the stove for the pasta. While waiting, I chopped a red onion and sauteed it in a bit of the bacon fat. I pulled the chicken from the fridge and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Once the onions began to brown, I added the chicken.

The kitchen soon smelled like onions, garlic, and crisping chicken — cozy and familiar. I seasoned with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian herbs. As the chicken turned golden, I added mushrooms — my partner’s favourite — and let them soften before pouring in the jar of Alfredo sauce.

Cooking with Ease

If you have shortcuts that make life easier, use them. Cooking isn’t a competition — it’s about creating something nourishing in a peaceful way.

I’ll make my own Alfredo sauce from scratch one day, but today wasn’t that day. I’d found the jarred sauce on sale the day before, and it felt like the right time to use it. With jazz in my ears and everything under control, I cooked calmly and happily.

Once the sauce was warm, I turned the heat down to low. By then, the pasta water was boiling. I added fusilli and stirred occasionally so it wouldn’t stick. After a few tastings, the pasta was tender but still slightly chewy. I drained it and folded it into the sauce, turning off all the stove elements.

Serving Lunch

I prepared a tray for my partner: a white bowl filled with pasta, a small salad, a piece of fruit, a bowl of mixed nuts, and a bottle of water. He ate while working, offering quiet approval between bites. He even asked for another half-serving of pasta — the best compliment of all.

Meals don’t need to be elaborate. They just need to be real and enjoyable.

After we ate, I cleaned the kitchen and slipped into my flannel-lined raincoat for a short walk. The air was cool, the light soft. I felt calm and content — a simple meal, a quiet afternoon, and no rush. Just jazz, the sound of rain, and the steady rhythm of a peaceful day.