Fancy Dinner in a Hurry

Pumpkin Agnoliotti with Grilled Asparagus

Two nights ago for dinner I had KD and weiners, grilled cheese with the whitest bread possible, and tomato soup.  Although it was supremo delicious, I was really craving a meal with a little more in the way of nutritional value - so for last night's dinner, I had to appease my body.

This meal is definitely a win-win-win-(win):  So delicious it hurts, easy to make yet looks like you slaved over it, healthy for your bones, (and sounds super fancy).  Though pasta dishes aren't typically considered to be  "good for you", this pasta's filling is high in iron, Vitamin A, and fibre.  The sauce is also chock full of veggies so you won't feel like you have to force down a salad too.  You can change it up by adding your favourite veggies, but whatever you choose, I guarantee that the sweetness of the pumpkin combined with the savoury sauce will absolutely blow your mind.

You will actually have to go to the grocery store for this one - but it still won't break the bank!

What you will need...

pumpkin agnoliotti (President's Choice baby)

asparagus

onion

garlic

mushrooms

tomato sauce (one day I'll teach ya how to make it from scratch)

red pepper

spinach

grape tomatoes

fresh basil

olive oil

salt/pepper

cayenne pepper

Start with the sauce!

• Heat oil in saucepan and add chopped garlic, basil, onions, and mushrooms - add chopped spinach when onions are cooked
• Add tomato sauce and reduce heat
• Meanwhile, boil water and add pasta (make sure you don't do this too soon as the pasta will only take about 6 minutes)
• Add sliced pepper and last - whole grape tomatoes to the sauce
• Salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste
• In a separate pan, heat oil and add freshly washed asparagus with salt and pepper (TIP: break asparagus instead of cutting it to ensure you're getting the best flavours); cook until slightly soft but not mushy
• Drain pasta and you're almost there!
• If you want to impress: carefully place the pasta on a plate and scoop sauce into centre; place asparagus to your liking and get ready for some compliments

This one calls for a glass of wine!