Pasta Primavera

Some of the best recipes are those you can tweak so it can be two completely different meals! This is what I like to call:

Pasta  Primavera

This can be made sweet or spicy and interchanged with different meats. For the sweet version I like to use Sweet Italian Sausage and Tomato & Sweet Basil Pasta Sauce. For a spicy version I like to use shrimp and Spicy Tomato and Basil Pasta Sauce. This recipe is what I use for a meal feeding two people and is one of my easiest meals to clean up (always a plus)!

Ingredients:

Meat of choice (sausage, shrimp, or even chicken)

1 small zucchini, sliced 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick then halved

1 small yellow squash, slice 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick then halved

1/2 of medium onion (purple adds more color) sliced in inch wide cubes

1/2 of green bell pepper cut similarly to onion.

(or any other vegetables of choice: eggplant, mushrooms, etc.)

pasta sauce of choice

1 and 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon of oregano

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Red pepper flakes for spicy version(1/2 to 1 teaspoon)

Cooked pasta of choice (bowtie, penne, ect)

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and minced garlic. Saute vegetables and spices together. Once becomimg tender, stir in a spoonful or two of tomato sauce.
2. Begin cooking pasta.
3. Add meat of choice (unless shrimp is already cooked, add once veggies are completely tender). Continue cooking until meat is done and veggies are tender.
4. Add remaining tomato sauce and simmer till warm.
5. Either mix in drained pasta or spoon mixture over pasta on plate.

Top with parmesan cheese and complete meal with garlic bread and a small salad. Changing the meat and flavor adds two more meals to your standby recipes.

Cheap tip: save red pepper packets from pizza delivery to use instead of buying in the spice isle.

Olive Garden price for two dinner sized Shrimp Primavera: $29
Homemade Shrimp Primavera for two: $14