Marinara, Pesto and Alfredo-Oh My!

"Life is too short, and I'm Italian. I'd much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0."  ~Sophia Bush 

There is such a wide variety of pasta sauces to choose from at the supermarket-marinara and meat sauces, pesto, alfredo, and vodka to name just a few. Though it certainly is easier to buy a jar than to make a sauce, in reality sauce is not complicated and if you have a few extra minutes you can whip up a great pasta dish for your family. 

The sauce I typically make is a marinara but every now and then I throw a pesto or alfredo dish into the mix. Alfredo because it's super easy (and I do mean super easy) and pesto because, well, I need to prove to my husband that the food processor really wasn't a waste of money.

Traditionalists maintain that certain pastas should be paired with specific sauces (angel hair should go with a light sauce, ziti should be paired with a chunky sauce, etc.). I say listen to Sophia Bush and eat what you like.

Each of these recipes is a tweaked version of a traditional recipe to cut some fat and calories. No one in my household has yet to notice a difference. If you are looking for a marinara (or meatball) recipe I have .

Pesto
Enough for about 4 cups of pasta

Ingredients:

• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp pine nuts
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tsp softened butter
• 2 tbsp grated Romano cheese

Directions:

• Combine first five ingredients in a food processor - process until finely minced.
• Place in a large bowl and stir in cheeses and butter.

(When serving, reserve about 3 tbsp of the pasta water and add the water and pesto to the pasta-it will really bring out the flavors).

Alfredo Sauce
Enough for about 8-9 cups of pasta

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 1/4 cups half and half
• 3/4 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:

• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add cheese, half and half, salt and pepper.
• Cook about a minute, stirring constantly.
• Reduce heat and add pasta to skillet.
• Top with extra cheese and more pepper.

Buon Appetito!