Easy recipe of the day

Skillet Penne with Vegetables

Saturday night I prepared a wonderful, quick, low-calorie, low-fat, low-point (for those who count points) meal. It was based on a cookbook recipe, but was highly modified.

The original recipe called for two cups of low-fat pasta sauce (either Roasted Garlic or Herb seasoned), two cups of water, a ten ounce package of fresh stir-fry vegetables, eight ounces of dry Ziti pasta, and 3 ounces of shredded Provolone cheese.

When I went to the grocery to purchase the ingredients, I found a fat-free Marinara sauce that I decided I could punch up with additional seasonings. The stir-fry veggies they had looked horrible, so I decided to make use of what I knew I had in the refrigerator (A large white onion and a red bell pepper, both of which I cut into large chunks and some crinkle cut carrot chips).

I wasn't able to find any Ziti, so I substituted Penne pasta for that. The store also didn't have any shredded Provolone, and I didn't feel like shredding any myself as the whole point of this recipe was to save time in preparation. I bought a package of shredded Mozzarella instead.

The original recipe suggested preparing the dish in a large skillet. My largest one is only nine inches across, so I used a round roasting pan instead.

Two cups of sauce and two of water went into the pan. I added a dash or two of garlic powder, a dash of Italian seasonings, and a pinch or two of salt and brought the sauce to a boil. I added the dry pasta and the veggies, gave it a stir, covered the pan and turned the heat low. I allowed it to simmer for 15 minutes.

When done, I tasted it to see if it needed additional seasonings and to see if the pasta was done. It was perfect. I then sprinkled the three ounces of cheese over the dish, covered for a couple of minutes and allowed the cheese to melt.

It made 6 one and a quarter cup servings. Each serving was four points.

A salad of Roma tomatoes and cucumbers completed the meal.

Give it a try. I think you'll like it.

Comments

[Alison]

That sounds really tasty. And great for a busy mom.

[satr]

Oh YUM! And it's only 4 WW Points? Or 4 other kind of points?

But YUM! I've already passed this post on to my husband, who is the real and only cook in the family, and it sounds like *just* what I was craving today - pasta!

Thanks, Allan!

[Allan]

WW points.

[Lee (Railbird)]

I saw Maria today....we talked of many things and I told about posting her story at RP and how you answered in such a beautifull way. Then I saw tears come to her rebuilt eyes, and I knew then, that she would be alright in the years to come. Thank you again Allan.

Lee