Pasta in red sauce

This is the way I cook pasta in no time.Simple and easy.It tastes excellent without any fancy ingredients.

Penne Pasta in tomato basil sauce

This recipe serves 2.
Time: 30 minutes


Ingredients:


4 oz  raw pasta.         (See the package instructions for 2 servings) 
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp red chili flakes
2 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup grated part skim mozzarella cheese/ Parmesan cheese
4-5 tbsp pasta sauce (change as per your taste)
Salt and black pepper to taste


Limitless vegetables.You can include:


Florets of Broccoli
Florets of Cauliflower
Carrot ( cut lengthwise)
Green beans (washed, ends removed and divided in 2)
Snap peas (whole)

Zucchini (washed,ends removed and diced)

Capsicum (cut lengthwise)


* You can also opt for frozen packet of stir fry vegetables.


Directions:

• In a big pan take 4 cups of water and parboil all the vegetables except brocolli and capsicum..Turn off the gas and add broccoli and capsicum.Let them sit for about 3-4 minutes in water till they become tender.
• Drain the vegetables but reserve the water.
• Use this water to cook pasta as per package instructions. (Add more water if required)
• Drain the cooked pasta and reserve 1/4 cup water. 
• In a pan heat olive oil, add chili flakes, Italian seasoning , garlic and cooked pasta. Give it a good mix.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Add pasta sauce to the pan along with reserved water (little at a time to thin out the pasta sauce as needed).Also add lemon juice at this time.
• Towards the end add your choice of grated mozzarella or Parmesan cheese.Stir and serve hot.

  *You can also use some freshly chopped parsley/cilantro for garnishing.
  * For healthier version use lots of veggies with less pasta.
  * If you are okay with some extra calories,try adding some butter.