Penne Veggie Delight : A Perfect Pasta Plate

Pasta is the best option for any unplanned dinners at my home. Sometimes I do not plan intentionally, just to get a excuse for digging into this goodness (don't tell my hubby!). Well, he loves it too. This recipe is a perfect win-win, as it is easy to make, healthy (remember the veggies), flavourful and indulging. The Alfredo sauce makes so creamy and delightful. Although I am aware of the classic combination of Fettuccine Alfredo yet I typically make this with penne. I think that gives it a whole different texture and adds to the yumminess. Ready to check out the recipe? Here it goes...

Penne Veggie Delight

INGREDIENTS: (For 2 servings)

Penne pasta: 8 oz / 225 gms

Butter: 1 tbsp

Garlic paste: 1 tbsp

Chilli flakes: 1 tsp

Onions (sliced): 1 cup

Carrots (sliced): 1 cup

Bell peppers (sliced) 1 cup (choose the color you like, I used green as that's most handy)

Alfredo sauce: 6 tbsp

Fresh parsley (chopped) : 2 tbsp

Dried basil: 1 tsp*

Sugar: 1 tsp

Salt to taste

* I prefer dried basil as I am already using fresh parsley. You may choose to use fresh basil if you like.

PROCEDURE:

Boil pasta till 70% done and keep aside. Save 1 cup of the liquid in which you boiled the pasta.

Heat a pan. Add butter, garlic paste and red chilli flakes and saute lightly.

Add the onions and saute till translucent.

Add the carrots followed by the bell peppers and saute for a couple of minutes.

Now add the pasta.

Next add the Alfredo sauce and the saved liquid. Add sugar and salt to taste. Mix everything well and cook till the sauce thickens and the pasta is done (you may add more liquid if you feel the pasta is still undercooked).

Finally add fresh parsley and dried basil. Mix well and turn off the heat.

Your quick and delicious pasta is ready to serve.

Photographs by Swakshar Ghosh.