Spicy Herbed Fusilli Pasta

Photo: Amritha Kalyani

Ingredients

2 cups Fusilli Pasta- (You can use wheat or multi 1/2 Yellow Bell Pepper- cut lengthwise

1 Carrot- cut lengthwise

1 Onion- Cut lengthwise

1/4 cup Baby Spinach-

1 cup Tomato onion garlic marinara sauce-<

2 tablespoons Olive Oil-

3 tablespoons Red Chilli Crushed or Chilli paste- (depends on your spice <

1/4 cup Herbed Feta cheese or any cheese of your choice-

2 teaspoons Dry or fresh herbs (Rosemary/ Oregano/ Salt- a pinch

Preparation

In a large pan, boil 6-8 cups water and add the fusilli pasta and little salt. Cook till it becomes tender. Drain water and keep pasta aside.

In another pan, heat olive oil and add onion. Fry for 2 mins and add cut vegetables except spinach Add marinara pasta sauce and salt (if necessary as the pasta sauce already has salt in it) to the half cooked vegetables and let it cook for another 2 mins untill it mixes well. I add the chilli paste along with this mixture at this point to give that kick to the pasta dish. Those who prefer the traditional pasta can jus sprinkle crushed pepper on top just before serving.

Now add the cooked pasta and mix well. Sprinkle the cheese and spinach on top of the pasta and put it in the oven for about 25-30 mins just to set well. Pre heat the oven 375 degrees. Check in between to avoid burning of food. Now the pasta is ready to be served. Serve pasta with garlic bread and sprinkle dry herbs on top jus before serving. It gives good aroma to the food and herbs are anyways good for health.

You can make this same dish with penne, maccheroni, spaghetti, rigatoni. You can also include any vegetable of your choice. Kids will love this dish and its a great disguise for vegetables. Enjoy the dish and I will be back soon!