Recipe ... Saturday

Since I don't cook "real meals" often, but when I do I get creative, I thought some people may like to try out some of my "homemade" recipes. Often when I cook meals that aren't simple, straying from the usual Kraft Macaroni and Cheese or a Stoufer's Lasagna, I am making it to save money for what I would otherwise have to pay $X amount at Olive Garden or Chevy's. For instance, I love Olive Garden, but come on - why do we need to pay $11+ for Spaghetti??

Here is the first of what I hope to make a series of my favorite recipes. Some of them I didn't make up completely (obviously) but have tweaked to suit my own tastes. Okay, here we go! ...

I do need to warn you all beforehand that I cook by feeling and taste, not by measurements... so these measurements I wrote in the recipe are estimations and are open to interpretation... and since I wrote the recipe myself, I'm not sure my explanations are the most clear, so feel free to shoot me any questions:)


Pasta Primavera Sauce
Prep Time: 20 Mins.
Serves: 4-7 (depending on the age, gender, and hunger level of your guests!)

You will need...
*1/3 cup olive oil
*1 large carrot
*1 large zucchini
*1 large squash
*2 cups broccoli (The only pre-cut, frozen vegetable to use. All others should be fresh!)
*15-20 grape tomatoes (or 10 cherry tomatoes, you decide:)
*1/2 yellow onion
*3 cloves of garlic
*Kayenne Pepper
*Basil
*Parsley
*Sea Salt
*One jar of your preferred red sauce (I prefer Classico Fire-Roasted Tomato and Garlic)
*1/2 Jar of your preferred alfredo sauce (I prefer Classico Creamy Alfredo)

Preheat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Begin thinly slicing/chopping vegetables in the order written. As you are chopping, begin adding + stirring vegetables immediately as you continue, allowing the carrot to begin cooking first as it will take the longest, etc. Add sprinkle of salt. OCCASIONALLY STIR. After adding the broccoli cover and allow to simmer while you continue chopping, adding, stirring :)

When all vegetables are fully steamed (soft, coming apart, etc.) pour into large sauce pan. Add full jar of red sauce, and 1/2 jar of alfredo sauce. Add light sprinkle of Kayenne pepper. (Spicy Warning: Add depending on how much your taste buds can handle. A small amount is not spicy, only flavorful, but it builds up quickly) Add generous amounts of basil and parsley. Turn on heat to medium high and allow to steep + stew for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Pour over your favorite pasta, or dip with your favorite bread and Enjoy!