pasta fresca

confession: when chris isn't around i don't take care of myself very well. i don't sleep so much; i rarely cook; i bathe and shave less frequently. my diet lately consists mostly of toast, pb&j, fruits of all sorts, an occassional pizza, and....pasta fresca.

i had pasta fresca for the first time last semester and the day i ate it i went home and googled the recipe because i knew i must have it. it is healthy, inexpensive, and delicious. turns out...it's also uber-easy to make. so i've been eating it at least once a week now. sometimes more like 3 or 4 times a week.

for those of you who've heard my rantings all about it and now need the recipe to try it yourself, here it is:

Noodles & Co. Pasta Fresca

25 min 5 min prep

Pasta Fresca from Noodles & Co. Balsamic, white wine and roasted garlic-sautéed penne pasta with baby spinach, fresh tomato and red onion. Topped with parsley and parmesan or feta cheese

Serves 4

• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 1/2 cups pre-cooked farfalle pasta
• 1/4 cup cubed roma tomato
• 1 tablespoon diced red onion
• 2 dashes kosher salt, and
• cracked pepper
• 1 ounce baby fresh spinach
• Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh garlic
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup sweet white wine
• 1 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Sauté Instructions: In a very hot sauté pan, add: extra virgin olive oil, pre-cooked farfalle (bow-tie pasta), roma tomatoes, diced red onions, kosher salt & cracked pepper.

2. Sear noodles, stirring occasionally until steaming hot.

3. Add: baby fresh spinach, 1 oz. fresca sauce.

4. Toss to combine, serve with freshly shaved parmesan cheese.

5. FRESCA SAUCE: (for 15 servings) 1/4 cup fresh garlic, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup sweet white wine, 1 cup extra virgin olive oil.

To half the fresca sauce: 2 T. garlic, 1 tsp salt, 2 T vinegar, 2 T. sweet white wine, ½ c EVOO

note: i never keep the ratios the same. i add way more spinach, tomatoes, and onions, i've also tried it with mushrooms, which was decent but not great. i'd also experiment with adding different types of veggies, meat or protien, etc... what will you add?? the sauce makes the dish. all the rest is just gravy.

i hope you enjoy this recipe as much as i've enjoyed it! happy eating!!