Double-Take Pasta

Looking for a white-red pasta that is great for the kiddos AND the adults?? Here you go! In this picture, this pasta is super kid friendly. In fact, it almost resembles (in looks only) mac and cheese. I used a white rice, gluten free pasta that was simply delicious!

For starters, you'll need:

1 package (5 links) of mild Italian Sausage

1 lb of pasta (use an angel hair pasta for a lighter, more adult feel or long tubes for those picky little ones.:)

1 jar of marinara sauce (Classico, anyone?)

1 jar of Alfredo sauce

A few fresh basil leaves, chopped

Chopped green onions, for garnish

Yep. That's it. Cook the Italian Sausage (I did it in a pan with about 1 inch of water in it, covered, on probably medium heat.) I simply cut them open to check them, they'll be cut up anyways before it's time to eat.:) 

Once the sausages are done, get some water for your pasta on the stove (use a large pot, you'll be adding your sauce to it later.) While that is coming to a boil, cut your sausages into small rounds, place in a pot and add the Alfredo and marinara sauce. Stir until the sauce is the same pretty color all of the way through, and heat, covered, on medium heat.

Drop your pasta in and drain it once it's cooked. The next step is optional. If you're looking for a prettier, more adult looking pasta, I would simply add the basil leaves to the pot of warmed sauce and stir, place your beautiful angel hair on a plate and cover it lightly with sauce. Otherwise,  put the pasta back into your pot, add your now warmed sauce and basil leaves and mix until all of the pasta is well coated.:)

Serve with green onions on top, a gorgeous leafy green salad and some fresh garlic bread!

Enjoy! :)

I KNOW I have pasta in here...somewhere!!

This picture was taken AFTER I had already started clearing out my pantry. I forgot how truly bad it was! However, I am going to hold you in suspense for a few minutes..no scrolling down to see the finished product before you read! Cheater.:) I actually pulled everything out...and I mean everything. (At least, I think I do...I don' recall leaving anything in.) Then time for the wipe down...yes...cupboard shelves get messy with all of that food. Time to fill it back up. Rather than simply putting boxes back in in an organized fashion, I bought a few little baskets from the dollar store (this is an inexpensive project...unless you realize how much $$ in food you had to throw away because it was bad, etc.), as well as a few tupperware containers that I could put cereal in. I also reused jars that I had kept from things such as spaghetti sauce. Time to pull all of the granola bars, popcorn bags and instant oatmeal bags out of their boxes and put them in my cute, labeled baskets! Wa la! Next, pour the cereal into the tupperware...so much easier to keep track of how much is left! The cans were 'fun' (aka, a pain) to organize, but I finally decided to stack the ones I wouldn't really use towards the back and move forward. Yes, I really do need to invest in those nifty sliders for your cans! I also created a bulk pantry cupboard. This is for all of the things that I will use to refill my cereal tupperware, my pasta jars, my cute little baskets...without cluttering up my main cupboard and making it look like a disaster! Ready to see the finished result? (I figure, based on the picture, each family can decide how to best accomplish their needs in organizing a cupboard and do it the way that will fit them best.:)

Note: This picture was taken at least a month or so after I redid my cupboard. Yes, it still looks good.:) And yes, I do realize that I have a couple of boxes of cereal, as well as my tupperware ones...but look at the overall appearance...and by all means, outdo me!:)