PPN: Pasta Again??

It's so funny how there are a few things that you know you can always make when you haven't been to the grocery store for too long.  One of those things in our house is pasta.  I know without a doubt I'll have at least a package (or two or three or more) and I always try to keep a can of crushed tomatoes and tomato paste in the pantry as well.

Tonight was one of those days that the kids and I didn't want to leave the house at all.  It's not that it's nasty outside (it was in the 50s today so that's pleasant enough for winter), it's just that there was no school today and staying home and just playing sounded like a great idea.  Unfortunately that meant that my menu plan was out the window.  I spoke with Don about 4:00 and we talked about him bringing take out home but honestly I didn't want that.  So, pasta it became.

This past weekend I had bought some frozen turkey meatballs from Costco.  They were bought on a whim and I had stuck them in the crockpot with some orange glaze for my stamp camp on Saturday.  That was well received and it was nice that I had enough left to add some to my usually vegetarian sauce.

This recipe I've modified from All Recipes -- it reminds me a lot of my sister's sauce because the first taste you get is sweet.  This differs from hers, however, because after the sweet you get spicy.  Yum.  For a throw together it was pretty well received -- all in all about a 3 on the family meter.

This also means I get to submit my pasta recipe early to Ruth's Presto Pasta Night.  Usually it's not until Thursday I post so you'll have to wait until Friday now for the round-up.  I know I can hardly wait.  :)

Sweet Hot Pasta Sauce
(modified from this recipe on All Recipes)

• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon crumbled dried red chile pepper
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, divided

1. In a saucepan, combine olive oil, garlic, and red peppers and lightly saute over high heat.
2. Reduce heat to low and mix in tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste. Stir in oregano and brown sugar.
3. Simmer for 20-25 minutes to blend flavors.

Comments

[Ruth]

It does look good! I was just Instant Messengering my husband, saying it's 3:30 and I'm still writing and haven't thought about dinner. You've inspired me. So cut up left over chicken, sliced mushrooms and some tomatoey sauce over some pasta or other it is!

Thanks for the idea and thanks for sharing with PResto Pasta Nights.

[Amy]

Looks good! I'm going to try that sauce. I have some frozen meatballs that I'd toss in there for my DH.