Hungry after playing his usual Rugby training session and then his 1 1/2hour Rugby Match in second row, (which I have to say they played great exciting Rugby yet again to win 42-10), my son has his head in my cupboard still wet after shower looking for everything and nothing to eat so to speak.

Until you hear ‘Mum, theres nothing to eat!’. The times I hear this, to come to the refridgerator, cupboard or freezer to see an abundance of ingredients.

Moving my attention from the pile of muddy kit I have just stuffed into my washing machine, I tell him to grab a saucepan and fill it with water to boil on the stove and immediately a smile comes across his face as he knows food will be served in minutes!

He’s always fired up after a match but starving, so the best way I find to calm him down is to get him cooking with me. His post match favourites are either  Spagetti with spinach and pesto or Penne with Chilli tomato sauce with mozzarella, (it’s amazing what you can make with nothing in the cupboard, isn’t it!)

Both are cooked in a flash and before you know it he fuelled up and ready to go again. Try these quick pasta dishes after a session at the gym or playing your favourite sport.

For Spaghetti with spinach & Pesto - you will need: 450g spaghetti (dried, fresh or homemade), 450g Spinach (fresh or frozen), 2 tbsps pesto sauce, 4 tbsp creme fraiche, 50g frozen peas, seasoning and 4 tbsp grated parmesan optional.

Simply bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and add your spaghetti pasta cooking according to instructions depending on which pasta you have. Make sure your stir to separate the strands. Meanwhile in a large frying pan cook the spinach over a gentle heat until wilted (this takes only a couple of minutes). Drain away any liquid and retun pan to heat adding the pesto and creme fraiche and mix well. Cook for a few minutes then drain your pasta and return to the pan tossing with the sauce and serve immediately with parmesan & seasoning to taste. You can serve this with a simple salad or even chicken for added protein and fresh crusty bread.

And if you like it hot try the Penne with chilli tomato sauce with mozzarella. You will need: 450g penne pasta (dried or fresh), 2 tsp olive oil, 2 crushed cloves of garlic, 2 tsp chilli powder, 500ml passata (this is simply sieved tomatoes if you are making your own), 100g mozzarella chopped, handful of fresh basil leaves and seasoning.

Bring your pan of salted water to the boil adding your pasta cook according to instructions. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and gently fry the garlic and chilli powder for 1 minute before adding the passata and cooking for 5 minutes. Drain your pasta and add to the sauce and mix well over a gentle heat. Stir in the mozzarella. seasoning and basil and heat for 1 minute before serving with fresh crusty bread spread with garlic butter and a mixed salad. Again you can add some cooked chicken for added protein. You can add more chilli if you like it hotter, if you doing this remember to keep tasting as you are cooking to make sure you don’t make it too hot.

Take it from me, they need something to fill them up after using up all their energy reserves up. Whats you favourite dish in a hurry after playing or taking part in your favourite sport?