Baked Ziti

I like Olive Garden, but I don't always like spending tons of money there. I found a recipe for Baked Ziti that's only 350 calories per serving. 

Makes 4-6 servings

Ingredients: 

10 oz Ziti pasta noodles (whole grain if you so choose)

1 tbsp Olive oil

3 Italian sausage links

1 Yellow onion, diced

3 Garlic cloves, minced

16 oz Tomato puree/sauce

3/4 cup Mozzarella (fresh if possible)

Parmesan (for grating)

Basil

Oregano 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cook the pasta per the directions on the packaging. 

2. Cook the sausage in a pan or on a grill (cut up once cooled down). Mince and dice vegetables. 

3. In a large sauce pan, on medium heat, add the onion, garlic, and oil. Once caramelized, add the tomato puree, basil, oregano and cut up sausage. 

4. Drain the pasta and add to the saucy mixture. Coat, than pour in a 13" X 9" glass dish. Add the cheese on top. 

5. Cover with foil and put in the oven for 15 minutes, then remove foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes. 6. Sprinkle on Parmesan. Enjoy! 

Motivation 4

From my Instagram account.

Red Pepper Fettuccine Alfredo

First, I should apologize for the lack of posts in December. Holiday retail is crazy and with finals...let's just say I am glad to be alive. Secondly, pasta is tasty.

Makes 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

10 oz. Fettuccine

16 oz. Alfredo sauce

2-3 Zucchini (small)

1 container of grape tomatoes 

Red pepper flakes

Directions: 

1. Cook the pasta according to the packaging. 

2. With a potato peeler, slice the zucchinis into thin strips. 

3. Once pasta is done, dish up your serving into a bowl or plate. Mix in the zucchini with the pasta.

4. Pour on Alfredo sauce. Add the red pepper flakes and grape tomatoes. 

5. Enjoy!

Very easy and fast meal. Next time I am going to try making the Alfredo sauce from scratch and doing only zucchini, but a great way to add more raw veggies to your diet. I hope you enjoy it!