Pasta with Creamy Tomato Sauce and Peas

This is a great new recipe I am adding to my repertoire. It is fast, easy, cheap, delicious and a one-dish dinner! What more could you ask for?? It comes from Good Housekeeping Vegetarian Meals, although I did not make it exactly as directed.

2 packages (9oz each) fresh (refrigerated) fettucine (I used a box of penne; I think any shape would do)
1 can (14.5 oz) seasoned chunky tomatoes for pasta (I used a can of diced tomatoes)
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce (I used half a jar of leftover pasta sauce)
1/3 cup heavy or whipping cream (I used half 'n half)
1 package (10 oz) frozen peas
freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional) (We topped it with some shredded mozzarella.)

*(I also added about 3/4 lb of ground turkey to the recipe. Any other add-ins such as sausage or onions or herbs could spice up this recipe.)

1. In large saucepot, cook pasta as label directs.
2. Meanwhile, in 2-quart saucepan, heat tomatoes, tomato sauce, and cream to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring, 2 minutes.
3. Place frozen peas in colander. Drain pasta over peas. In large warm serving bowl (I used the pot!), toss pasta and peas with tomato mixture. Serve with Parmesan if you like.

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I think you can see the flexibility to tweak this recipe how you like it. Using a premade marinara sauce added extra flavor without any effort on my part! I usually have all these ingredients in my house, so it's also perfect for those days where it's 4:30 (or later) and I still don't know what's for dinner! I think this is also incredibly affordable, especially since pasta can be had for free with coupons, a bag of peas is less than $1 and canned tomato products are also cheap and can be bought with coupon discounts as well.

Enjoy!

Bran Muffins

These are about the best Bran muffins you can ever have. They are 100% health, and will keep you nice and regular. Thanks to the Barbees (Hunter)

PREHEAT OVEN: 350

STIR
1 25 oz. box raisin bran
1 qt buttermilk
5 eggs
1/4 c. canola oil

ADD EACH OF THE FOLLOWING, STIRRING GENTLY AFTER EACH:
4 c. whole wheat flour
5 tsp soda (ADD WITH LAST CUP OF FLOUR)
2 tsp cinnamon
20 oz honey
2 c. oats
1 zucchini grated OR 1 can pumpkin, sweet potato, or applesauce
1/2 c. raw bran + 1/2 c. wheat germ or grapenuts
1/2 lb. chopped dates + 1 c. chopped nuts

BAKE FOR 20 MIN. OR SO

Makes at least thirty muffins, freezable and still good.

Baked Oats

This isn't really so much a recipe as a technique. I think granola is kind of expensive given that its just oatmeal and some other grains. I thought about making it myself but this recipe I found had something like 400 calories per serving.

So, I took some whole oats and baked them for a few minutes - plain and dry. I've stirred them into my vanilla yogurt and it's good.

I got the oatmeal to make cookies and then I tried eating it at oatmeal and it was too gross and slimy - those big oat chunks. However, Sarah made oatmeal with pumpkin and raisins and whatnot in it and I thought it was tasty.