Easy Backpacking Pesto Pasta
Save time and money with this easy backpacking recipe created from a few grocery store items! Jazz up a store-bought pasta package with sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts for this delicious lunch/dinner dish!
So, you want to try backpacking but don’t want to spend $18 a meal (i.e. pre-made dehydrated meals found at outdoors stores) or invest in a dehydrator right away? This series is for you!
Welcome to the new mini-series I’d like to call “Grocery Store Backpacking Meals”!
With a little planning and creativity, you most definitely can create delicious, nutritious, and AFFORDABLE backpacking meals right from your local grocery store!
So without further ado, here is the first recipe of the series: Easy Backpacking Pesto Pasta!
The Ingredients
This camping meal is made using:
a pre-packaged pesto pasta (single serving)
sun-dried tomatoes
pine nuts
If you were wanting to add a bit more protein, you could add canned tuna, canned chicken, jerky pieces, a handful of dried chickpeas, or more pine nuts.
A note on nutrition:
Some pre-packaged products (like pastas, soup, snacks, etc.) have a high salt content. If salt intake is a concern for you (e.g. high blood pressure), be mindful when reading the labels of different products and compare salt content to make the best choice for yourself.
The Cost Breakdown
I don’t want to bash pre-made dehydrated meals, because honestly, they’re super convenient. But they can be quite pricey, and if you do a lot of backpacking, the cost can really add up over time.
That is one huge benefit of creating backpacking meals from grocery store products, the overall cost per meal is significantly lower.
This meals cost breakdown is:
pesto pasta package = $2.49 CAD
sun-dried tomato package = approx. $1.49 CAD ($5.99 CAD for 99g package)
pine nuts = approx. $1.15 CAD ($13.79 CAD for 140g package)
Total: $5.13 CAD
Please note: Prices may vary depending on store, country, location, sales, discounts, etc. These prices are based off Save On Foods Cochrane, AB.
There really is endless possibilities when it comes to creating easy, affordable, and delicious camping meals from grocery store items! Stay tuned for more simple backpacking meals coming soon!
Let me know any of your own ideas below!
More Backpacking Meal Ideas
Easy Backpacking Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
- pre-packaged pesto pasta, dried (single serving) (e.g. Knorr Sidekicks)
- small handful of sun-dried tomatoes
- spoonful of pine nuts
- canned tuna, canned chicken, jerky, or dried chickpeas (optional)
Instructions
- Before heading out on your trip, portion the sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts into a small resealable container or bag.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- Once pasta is ready, add sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and protein of choice. Stir well and enjoy!
