Day 8, Mission: Date Night Alfredo Pasta with Asparagus, 357 recipes to go

This weekend my boyfriend and I were on our own for dinner. All we had was pasta, but we didn't want to use traditional canned tomato pasta sauce. He came up with the idea to make Alfredo sauce. It's way easier than you may think. So i thought I'd share it with all of you.
Yields: 2 servings
Total Time:20 minutes
# of Pans: 3
Ingredients:
1/2 of a bag of Egg Noodles ( 2 servings worth according to the bag)
2 Sausage links (any flavor will do)
4 Tablespoons butter
1 Cup whipping Cream
2 pinches Nutmeg
1 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese
1 Clove Garlic minced
Directions:
*Turn on your oven to "broil"
*Fill a large sauce pan 2/3 full with water, a dash of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil and bring to a boil

*Add in your pasta, and stir

*Meanwhile, place your sausage links in your ovens broiler

*In a separate small sauce pan, start by melting your butter

*Add in your cream and bring to a low simmer for 5 minutes

*After about 3 minutes, check on your sausages and flip them over
*After 5 minutes, add in your garlic, nutmeg and cheese to your butter/cream mixture

*Continue to cook on low until your cheese is all melted
*Once your pasta is al dente, drain and place back in a covered sauce pan
*Once your sausages are fully cooked, slice or dice them
*Place your sausages and your now done alfredo sauce over the noodles and stir

*Serve with a topping of fresh parmesean cheese and a dash of parsley

There you have it, a cheap quick and easy dinner for you and your sweetheart :)

Day 1, Mission: Pasta with Asparagus & Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Sauce- 364 Recipes to go

Lets kick start day one with something easy, Pasta with Asparagus and a Sun-dried Tomato Sauce served with a Simple Italian Garden Salad.
Yields: 6 Servings
Total Time: 30min
# of Pans:2
Ingredients:
1 Bag of your favorite Pasta (I used a mix of  Bow-ties, Shells & Penne)
1 Bundle of uncooked Asparagus
1 Jar of Sun-Dried Pesto Sauce
1 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Pinch of Salt
Bag of Leaf Lettuce (I used the Italian Blend Mixture)
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Your Favorite Salad Toppings (I chose Pepperoncini and Tomatoes)
Loaf of French Bread

Directions:
*Fill a large sauce pan with water, add in your salt and olive oil.
*Bring water to a boil

*Once water is boiling, add in your entire bag of pasta

*About 5 minutes after you add the pasta, fill up another smaller sauce pan with about 2 inches of water.
*Wash your asparagus to get rid of excess dirt. Cut about an inch off the bottom or each asparagus spear. (For a longer, more efficient method, hold each asparagus spear in your hand and bend until it snaps. Keep the top part )
*Bring your 2'' of water to a boil. Once it has reached a boil, add in your asparagus tips up. Cover your pan, reduce heat and let steam until tender, about 5 minutes.

*While the pasta and asparagus are cooking, you can make your salad. Pour your leaf lettuce into a large serving bowl. Top with your favorite salad toppings and sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese.

*Once your asparagus is tender, remove from pan and cut each stalk into 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch pieces. Set aside.
*Once your pasta has reached al dente (about 10-15minutes) Strain your pasta and leave it in the saucepan.
*Add your asparagus to the pasta. Stir in the whole jar of pesto sauce and whole jar of sun dried tomatoes. Sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese and viola! Pasta with Asparagus and a Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Sauce!

*Serve pasta along side your salad and fresh yummy french bread!

So we've successfully made it through day one, pain free and only using 2 pots! Tomorrow will be a dessert, so get ready to bring your sweet tooth :)