Easy simple creamy vegetarian pasta dinner
Pasta Pasta Pasta!!! Yes, pasta is one of those easy quick dinners at our home. One main reason is because its so versatile. Their are so many different ways you can make it. You can add vegetables, meat, or just simply enjoy it with just sauce and cheese and it is still absolutely delicious.
For this particular pasta dish, I added mushrooms, onions, sun dried tomatoes and cooked it in a creamy marina sauce with pesto and cheese. It was so creamy, cheesy and so delicious. This recipe is so easy to make because there were a few short cuts I took. Yes, I said it. I am all about quick, easy yet delicious recipes. So, instead of making my own marina sauce, I used store bought jarred marinara sauce and added a few spices to it to make my creamy marinara sauce. And honestly there is nothing wrong with that, you just have to find a good jarred marinara sauce that you enjoy.
Here are a few tips you need to know:
Tip 1: There is nothing wrong with using store bought Marinara or spaghetti sauces. Some of them are really good and it's always nice to have short cuts. The number one key is to find the right brand you like.
Tip 2 : Use a combination of cheeses, they add tons of flavor to your sauce. For this dish, I used a blend of Asiago and Parmesan cheese. One of my other favorite combination to use is the Italian Blend Cheese in my pasta.
Here's How to make it:
RECIPE:
INSTRUCTIONS:
Cook Pasta on stove as directed on box
On a separate pan pour in about 2 tbsp of olive oil and saute garlic, diced onions mushrooms , sun dried tomatoes (or diced) and add, salt, pepper, ground chili powder, oregano (optional). Cook for about 2-3 minutes on medium high until the mushrooms are nicely sautéed. Add 2-3 tablespoons of pesto and combine well.
Than pour in your Marinara sauce and let simmer for about 5 minutes on medium heat than add in the heavy whipping cream and combine , add in about half of the cheese.
Add in pasta and combine well , add additional seasoning if needed. Now add the rest of the Parmesan cheese and any additional seasoning. Garnish with more cheese , fresh basil or fresh parsley.
Serve and enjoy while hot.
RECIPE:
This recipe Serves about 4-6 people
INGREDIENTS
1 Box Penne or Rigatoni
1 Jar Store Bought or 24 oz of Homemade Marinara sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium size onion (diced)
1 box 8 oz of Baby Bella mushrooms (roughly chopped)
1 6 oz of sundried tomato or about 1 1/2 cup roughly chopped
2 -3 tbsp store or fresh basil pesto
1 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese ( or more)
Basil for Garnish (about 6 leaves or so)
2 garlic cloves (optional)
Seasoning:
1/4 tsp salt or to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 ground chili powder
1/2 tsp oregano (optional)
1/2 tsp Crushed Red flakes (optional)
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