On Top of Spaghetti All Covered With Cheese: Healthy Spaghetti Recipe

*Tom Glazer

Ok so I like spaghetti. It's a favorite Italian dish among most people I know. Until recently, the spaghetti I've eaten has consisted of nothing more than sauce, noodles and ground beef. But this past spring, I decided to become a vegetarian for Lent, and made a few changes. This is my recipe. It's lowfat, all natural and loaded with fresh vegetables. Feel free to experiment with your own ingredients, and make sure to let me know how it turns out!

Ingredients:
Green Pepper
Onion
Fresh Sliced Baby Portabella Mushrooms (It's ok if you prefer the canned kind. My sister does.)
Pasta of Choice (I like the bow tie shape. But I also recommend whole grain pasta for the extra fiber.)
Newman's Own Marinara Sauce (There are a TON of flavors. You can find all the choices at http://www.newmansown.com/. I like the Tomato & Basil, and Sockrooni ones, myself.)
Lean Ground Beef, Ground Turkey, or Chicken Breast

1. Cook pasta in boiling water until it's at your preferred firmness. I like al dente, where it's not crispy but you still have to chew it.

*Tip: To keep water from boiling over the pot, add a little butter or olive oil to it.

2. If you're adding meat, cook in pan over medium heat until there's no pink. For chicken, cut into cubes first.

3. Heat marinara sauce over medium low heat, stirring often. If it starts to boil, turn the heat down.

4. Chop green pepper, onion and mushrooms to the size you want. Stir vegetables and meat into sauce.

5. Put noodles on a plate, and pour sauce over noodles.

As I'm sure you've noticed, I have included no measurements. This is a case-by-case recipe. If you want it vegetarian, leave out the meat. If you like chunkier sauce, add more vegetables. Do keep in mind, though, that a serving of meat is 3 oz, which is about the size of a deck of cards. And a serving of cooked pasta is about 1/2 c. As for cheese, go for the low fat versions, and keep an eye on how much of it you use to top off your meal.

Enjoy!

"No man is lonely eating spaghetti; it requires so much attention." -Christopher Morley

"Spaghetti can be eaten most successfully if you inhale it like a vacuum cleaner." -Sophia Loren