Alfredo Red Pepper Rotini

pepperscuttingvoard

pepperscuttingvoardWhat You Need:

8 oz. of rotini pasta
2 small red sweet peppers cut into pieces
1 C yellow summer squash, sliced
2 C of fresh asparagus, cut into pieces
1 (10 oz.) container of prepared Alfredo sauce
1/4 t dried thyme
1/4 t crush red pepper
1/8 t pepper

How to Make It:

Cook the pasta as directed on the package.
3 minutes before the pasta is done stir in the red pepper, the squash and asparagus.
Cook for 3 minutes or until the vegetables are fork tender then drain well.
Place the Alfredo sauce into a saucepan.
Stir in the thyme and crushed red pepper.
Place the pan over medium heat and heat the sauce for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
Add the vegetable mixture and stir until blended in well.
Season the rotini with the pepper before serving.

Makes 4 servings

Mix up your vegetables in this delicious side dish. Use broccoli and cauliflower or carrots and peas instead of the squash and asparagus. You may also substitute yellow sweet peppers for the red if you wish. This will only give it a different color as both peppers have the same flavoring.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 8 minutes (not including the pasta)
Total Time: approximately 28 minutes + pasta cooking time

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 421; Fat 12f; Saturated Fat 6g; Carbohydrates 66g; Fiber 2g;
Protein 15g; Cholesterol 31 mg; Sodium 622 mg

Pork Meatballs in Tomato Pasta

meatballs

meatballsWhat You Need:

3 c of rotini pasta
1 t olive oil
2/3 C of water
1 lb. ground pork
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 C of bread crumbs
1/2 t of salt
1/4 t of pepper
2 (12 oz.) jars of marinara sauce, divided
3 carrots, sliced into coins
1 small zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut into slices
1 yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into strips

How to Make It:

Allow the oven to preheat to 450 degrees.
Spray a cast iron Dutch oven on the bottom and sides with a non stick cooking spray.
Place the pasta into the pan, drizzle with the olive oil and toss to coat well.
Pour the water into the pan.
Crumble the ground pork into a mixing bowl.
Place the egg into the bowl.
Add the bread crumbs, salt and pepper.
Using your hands mix all the ingredients together well.
Form the mixture into even sized meatballs.
Place the meatballs into the pan.
Add one jar of the marinara sauce and stir to coat the meatballs.
Place the zucchini, carrots and bell peppers into the pan.
Add the second jar of sauce over the top of the vegetables and stir to coat.
Cover and bake 45 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through and the vegetables are fork tender.

Makes 4 servings

If you prefer you may use ground beef, ground turkey or ground chicken to create these tasty meatballs. Any type of pasta may be used in this recipe.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 45 minutes
Total Time: approximately 1 hour 05 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 724; Fat 28g; Carbohydrates 74g; Cholesterol 206 mg; Sodium 133 mg; Protein 45g; Fiber 8g

Big Blue Sea Stew

seafood-stew

seafood-stewWhat You Need:

2/3 C of water
2 C rotini pasta
1 t of olive oil
16 shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 lb. sea scallops
1/2 t of salt
ΒΌ t of pepper
1 small onion, diced
6 garlic cloves, crushed
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into slices
1 yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into slices
4 fresh tomatoes, chopped
1 small zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and cut into slices
2 celery stalks, sliced thin

How to Make It:

Place the oven temperature at 450 degrees and allow the oven to preheat.
Spray a cast iron Dutch oven pan well with a non stick cooking spray.
Pour the water into the Dutch oven.
Add the pasta and stir coating well.
Spread the pasta in an even layer over the bottom of the pan.
Place the shrimp and scallops into the pan and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
Add in the onion, garlic and both types of bell peppers.
Layer the tomatoes over the peppers and the zucchini over the tomatoes.
Scatter the celery evenly over the top.
Cover and bake 45 minutes or until the pasta is tender and the seafood is cooked through.

Makes 4 servings

Precooked seafood will work just as well as raw seafood. If you are using raw seafood your dish will have a much stronger flavor than when using precooked.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 45 minutes
Total Time: approximately 1 hour

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 241; Fat 3g; Carbohydrates 35g; Cholesterol 53 mg; Sodium 53 mg; Protein 18g; Fiber 5g