Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Half-baked: Simple Pasta Dinner


So, as some of you know, my oldest was recently put on a really restricted diet.  Not that I’m a live-out-of-the-box cook, but I do enjoy my convenience foods.  One of my favorite foods to make is spaghetti sauce.  I have two favorite recipes, one from my mom and one from my friend, HDK.  The problem with my mom’s recipe is that it uses tomato soup--MSG and bad additives--in it.  I’ll have to find one that is “safe” before I can make that one again.  The other one, which I love for it’s flavor and simplicity, unfortunately uses sausage—another no-no.  So, on our shopping trip this last weekend, I gave in and bought a jar of all-natural spaghetti sauce that would fit the bill.

After finding out last night that baked potatoes triggered a flare in the headaches, I thought tonight we’d try something on the opposite end of the palate.  This is one of the easiest meals ever!  I’m sure we all have some version of ths in our repertoire.  I cook up 8 oz. penne pasta.  This will feed my family of five—3 adults, 2 youngers, with leftovers for tomorrow's lunch for 2 adults.  Drain and mix it with about ¾ of the sauce from the jar in a small casserole dish; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes.  Done--woohoo!  Dinner in UNDER 30 minutes. I serve it with a pinch of garlic bread seasoning (Our Best Bites: http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/04/garlic-bread-seasoning/)great big side of green salad and garlic bread.  While I would prefer using my own sauce, but this works, too.  Mangiamo!

1 comment:

  1. HDK here - the joy of my sauce recipe is that you don't have to add the sausage - I usually make the sauce, can it, and add the sausage when I'm making lasagne or spaghetti. I just love the taste of the flavors. But looks like you found a good substitution!

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