Bona-pasta-Donna
Gluten-Free • Dairy-Free • Easily made VEGAN • Four Pans • Serves 3-4ish
Ingredients
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
1 container cherry tomatoes, halved
1 box gluten-free fettuccini
1 jar marinara sauce
1 package spicy Italian sausage
Please note that while there are many benefits to buying local and organic, preparing fresh foods in a way that works best for you and your budget is always a win! Don’t let your ability to access local/organic discourage you from going for it! Any fresh choices are more beneficial than processed ones.
Let’s put it together!
In a large pot, get your water boiling for the pasta and follow the directions on the package.
In a pan, over medium heat, add 1 Tbsp of EVOO and your sausages. Keep an eye and turn them occasionally until brown on both sides with an internal temp of 165 degrees.
In a medium pot, over very low heat, pour in your jar of marinara. Stir occasionally.
Mince your 2 garlic cloves, set aside.
Chop your 1/2 yellow onion, set aside.
Chop up your green, yellow and red peppers, set aside.
Half your cherry tomatoes, set aside.
In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add 1 TBSP of EVOO, and yellow onion. Saute until almost translucent, add in your minced garlic and stir. DO NOT LET THEM BURN.
After a few minutes, add in your peppers and tomatoes, let them saute and get softer, but not browned or burned.
This is usually where I throw the pasta in the water.
As your veggies do their thing, if the sausage is browned and at an internal temp of 165, pull it from the pan and slice into coins. Add into saute pan with the veggies.
As your pasta finishes up, drain and then add as much as you’d like into the veggie/sausage mix and top with marinara. Use tongs to incorporate the mixture.
Serve it up and ENJOY!
There is really no wrong way to make Bona-pasta-Donna (thank you to Tamera R. for naming the dish)! Throughout the process, I just eyeball what’s going on, make sure everything is tasting good (and not burning) and adjust as needed. This dish reheats amazingly and is definitely fun to experiment with!
Lindsey is an encourager, optimist, health + life coach, and yoga teacher who helps caregivers live fuller, healthier, vibrant lives through exploring all aspects of their life and health while helping to cultivate simple, sustainable fun-size habits, so that they can continue to make a meaningful impact in themselves, their loved ones, and the world, for generations to come.
