Pasta with Tomato Sauce (Orange Pasta)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1 whole medium onion, finely diced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups of tomato sauce or marinara sauce

Salt and pepper, to taste

Dash of sugar (more to taste)

1 cup heavy cream

Grated mozzarella, to taste

1 teaspoon basil, chopped

3 cups dried macaroni (of your choice)

Method of preparation

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
• Heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté for a minute or so. Pour in tomato sauce and add salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. Stir and cook over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from heat and stir in cream. Add cheese to taste, then check seasonings. Stir in pasta and chopped basil and serve immediately. (Thin with pasta water before adding basil if needed.)
• Serve with grilled chicken.

Cheesy Pasta Bake with Chicken and Cauliflower

Pasta Bake with Cauliflower & Chicken

Pasta with Chicken & Cauliflower

Ingredients

100g dried macaroni

200g cauliflower, cut into small florets

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 small onion minced

2 teaspoons minced garlic

½ teaspoon oregano

200g skinless boiled chicken chunks

1 tablespoon plain flour

250ml (1 cup) milk

Freshly ground black pepper

40g (1⁄3 cup) grated cheddar cheese

Directions

• Cook the pasta in a large saucepan of boiling water for 10 minutes until al dente, adding the cauliflower for the last 1 minutes of cooking. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan on medium. Add onion & garlic and fry for 2 minutes and add the chicken pieces. Cook for 1 minutes. Add cauliflower cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside to rest for 2-3 minutes.
• Put the flour in the saucepan and gradually whisk in the milk. Cook, stirring, over a medium heat until the sauce thickens and comes to a simmer. Simmer for 2 minutes. Preheat oven to medium.
• Add the pasta, oregano, cauliflower and chicken to the sauce. Season with pepper. Toss to coat.  Put the mixture in oven-proof dish. Sprinkle the cheese over.
• Bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
• Serve the pasta bake with the salad.