Easy RV Cooking

One important consideration in planning any camping trip is the food and cooking supplies you take with you. This is especially important when camping with kids.

One way to master RV cooking is to minimize your grocery items and you can do that by limiting the number of ingredients in the meals you cook to no more than four. If you are like me, your camper is stocked with a number of staples. We always carry several packages of pasta, cans of diced tomatoes and chicken broth, olive oil, onions and garlic as well as basic spices that we use regularly such as salt and pepper, basil and oregano. By combining these already stocked ingredients with a few items you have packed for the trip, you’ll eliminate any wasted space with unnecessary items.

Furthermore, if you’re ever in need of a quick meal, these staples alone can be combined into a delicious meal. To do this, combine the pasta, tomatoes, onions, garlic and basil in a large stockpot (another staple I never travel without):

• 12 oz uncooked pasta—I usually use linguini or fettuccine, but any pasta will do
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 sliced onion
• 2-4 cloves garlic, depending on your preference
• 2 Tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsps oregano
• 2 sprigs fresh or 2 tsps dried basil
• 4.5 cups chicken stock or broth

The finished product!

Feel free to add any other ingredients you have on hand. I like to add mushrooms as well. Then pour in broth, sprinkle oregano and if desired, red pepper flakes over the top. Drizzle the top with olive oil.

Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and keep covered, cooking for about ten minutes, stirring every two minutes or so. Cook until nearly all liquid has evaporated, leaving about an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with Parmesan cheese. The starch leaches out of the pasta while it cooks and makes a rich, warm sauce for the noodles.

The main goal with RV cooking is waste nothing. If you must bring something and it’s perishable, use it. No need to plan extravagant meals while camping, keep them simple and quick. Don’t forget to save a couple meals to be cooked over the fire too!