Penne Rosa

I haven't done this in far too long.  I'm going to try to start again so I can keep track of the recipes I make.  Plus, it is way fun baking and cooking in the fall/winter!  I'm so ready for fall, this heat is killing me.  Yuck.  I love pumpkins and apple picking.  Halloween.  My birthday.  Jake's birthday.  Thanksgiving.  Christimas.  Decorating for holidays.  Baking cookies.  Dressing cozy.  Scarves.  It is simply the best time of year! 

I want to learn how to cake decorate.  I also want to get into photography.  I am so busy though with work and school.  It is so hard to do it all.  I have to make school a number one priority right now.  I'm going to try to get a start though.  I have thought about taking a cake decorating class at Michael's.  

So I adore Noodles & Company...it is one of my all time favorite places to eat.  Specifically, the Penne Rosa!  YUM.  I love the Bangkok Curry too...so I'll be trying to make homemade curry sometime soon.  Jake and I are trying to only go out to eat once a week.  We always save so much money when we don't eat out.  This recipe was super easy to make.  Plus, I like how I have left-over spinach leaves now to make a dish tonight.  Also, I was excited this was my first time cooking with wine!  Something about cooking with wine make me feel like a professional cook. I'm really trying to get away from the same dishes.  If I have a kid ever, I need to know more recipes! 

So the recipe I used: 

1 box Penne Pasta

1 tspb white cooking wine

2 tbsp EVOO

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper (optional , but part of what I love of this dish is the spicy kick.  Plus, I've read spicy foods boost your metabolism :]   )

1/2 cup spaghetti sauce

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup sliced mushrooms (I used way more)

1/4 cup baby spinach

1 14oz can italian-style diced tomatoes

Garnish with fresh feta or parmesan cheese

1.) Boil pasta and set aside.

2.)Heat wine,oil, spaghetti sauce, mushrooms, crushed pepper, and tomatoes over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 4-5 minutes.  

3.) Add pasta, mix well.  Add cream and stir.  Add spinach and stir until wilted.  

A lot of people add meat as well, such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or whatever you'd like.  Make sure you cook it first though.  

Here is the final product! 

It was delish.  Next time I will make more sauce, just because I love sauce!  I think a person who likes a normal amount of sauce would like this though.