ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion
3 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
pinch red pepper flakes
pinch pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup water
2 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
box of spaghetti (angel hair preferably)
small bag of spinach (optional)
some kind of already cooked, cut up/shredded meat (I use leftover chicken or sausage) ... (also optional)
directions:
1) Bring large pot of water to a boil
2) Add the spaghetti, cook and drain
3) While waiting for pasta to cook, dice onion
4) Cook onion and garlic in large skillet with olive oil over low-medium heat until the onion and garlic are soft and transparent
5) Add oregano, basil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to skillet. Stir
6) Add tomato paste and 1/2 cup of water
7) Stir mixture until tomato paste is dissolved
8) Turn heat down to low
9) Cut cream cheese into pieces and add to the tomato sauce. Use a whisk to stir until creamy
10) Add half the parmesan and whisk until melted in
11) Add remainder of parmesan cheese and whisk
12) Add spinach if desired and gently stir until it has wilted (3-5 mins)
13) Add the spaghetti to the mixture and stir until the spaghetti is well coated with the sauce
14) Add meat
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion
3 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
pinch red pepper flakes
pinch pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 cup water
2 oz cream cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
box of spaghetti (angel hair preferably)
small bag of spinach (optional)
some kind of already cooked, cut up/shredded meat (I use leftover chicken or sausage) ... (also optional)
directions:
1) Bring large pot of water to a boil
2) Add the spaghetti, cook and drain
3) While waiting for pasta to cook, dice onion
4) Cook onion and garlic in large skillet with olive oil over low-medium heat until the onion and garlic are soft and transparent
5) Add oregano, basil, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to skillet. Stir
6) Add tomato paste and 1/2 cup of water
7) Stir mixture until tomato paste is dissolved
8) Turn heat down to low
9) Cut cream cheese into pieces and add to the tomato sauce. Use a whisk to stir until creamy
10) Add half the parmesan and whisk until melted in
11) Add remainder of parmesan cheese and whisk
12) Add spinach if desired and gently stir until it has wilted (3-5 mins)
13) Add the spaghetti to the mixture and stir until the spaghetti is well coated with the sauce
14) Add meat
If you enjoy light, classic Italian food with a bit of a twist, then you will LOVE this dish! The red pepper and the cream cheese steal the show adding both a tasty, creamy texture and just the right amount of spice. This is a great recipe to pair with a chilled white wine or just a tall glass of lemonade tea - whichever you prefer, you will be pleasantly surprised! Happy cooking... and eating!