Pasta Pasta Pasta!!!

Hey I have been traveling the past few weeks and have not had a lot of time to keep you guys up to date... sorry about that, but anyways I cooked for my family before I left and I made a tasty low-cal pasta that they loved! This recipe is a pretty simple one and it takes about 15-20 mins to prepare. I got it from eatingwell.com but changed it a little bit.* It makes about 6 servings and there is only about 310 calories per serving with only 3 grams of fat but with 12 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber! thats really good for dinner! I served this pasta with a small salad with low-cal italian dressing and a small piece of baguette.

What you need: 

12 oz of whole wheat Fusilli (or any pasta of your choice)

1 2-oz piece of pancetta finely diced

1 Small onion, chopped

3 garlic cloves chopped

1/2 Cup of Vodka **

1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup half-and-half

2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoons of crushed red pepper (or to taste-- you can add more if you want a bit more spice)

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

A pinch of freshly ground pepper (or to taste)

What To Do:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook Fusilli until tender (about 12 mins, or according to package directions).

2. While the pasta is cooking, cook the pancetta in a large saucepan over medium heat until crisp (about 4 mins). Then drain on a paper towel.

3. Lower the heat under the saucepan to low heat and add onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent (1-2 mins). Increase the heat to high, add vodka and bring to a boil. Boil until reduced by about half (2 mins). 

3. Stir in tomatoes, half-and-half, Worcestershire sauce and crushed red pepper. Reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened (9-10 mins).

4. Drain the Fusilli, serve topped with the sauce and sprinkled with the pancetta, basil, and fresh ground pepper. Enjoy!!

* I used fusilli instead of penne, pancetta instead of capicola, and I stirred in the basil, pancetta and freshly ground pepper into the sauce before serving). 

**the pasta sauce can be made without vodka if you are underage and unable to buy vodka. The Vodka adds a little tang to the sauce but the alcohol does cook off in the sauce so if you can get some it is not illegal to eat this pasta if you are underage!