I love pasta. I was in Armenia a few summers back, and there was an Italian restaurant just below my apartment complex. I'd go there almost daily (the 8 lb. I gained on that trip is a testament of that), and order one or two bowls of their Arrabbiata penne. All this means is pasta with spicy tomato sauce.
Super simple, and, for a pasta dish, super light.
Here's how I like to make the sauce:
Sauce:
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup red wine (I used merlot)
1-2 tbsp fresh chopped basil
1 and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 and 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1/4 tsp pasta seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1. heat onions and garlic in oil on medium heat until translucent.
2. stir in wine, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, pepper flakes, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, pasta seasoning, salt and pepper. heat on medium and allow to reduce.
3. add parsley as well as 2 more tbsp of olive oil. add 2 tbsp of pasta water.
4. Stir in pasta. Serve with fresh parmesan and basil.
Notes: If you're looking for a healthier option, you might want to switch to whole wheat penne instead of the regular stuff.
