Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Italian Sausage and Fennel

Time: 27 minutes

Grade: A

Make again: Yes

Recipe Source: Cooks Illustrated (March 2010)
Recipe Source: Pasta Revolution

This was really good and simple. I lightened it up a bit using turkey sausage and 1/2 the oil and it was still pretty rich and filling. I used Ronzoni 100% whole wheat pasta and it was good. I thought I had bought the blend pasta which is not 100% whole wheat and that I've used often.

I will definitely make again because the sauce and turkey is made in the time it takes the water to boil and pasta to cook, so this is a keeper recipe.

This recipe is also featured (cut in half, for two people) in the ATK's Pasta Revolution cookbook, which I have out now from the library.

Spaghetti Fritatta

Total Time: 25 minutes

Grade: A

Make Again: Yes
  
Recipe Source: Everyday Food (September 2004)

This recipe was inspired by the EF Sept 2004 Cooking for One article. The actual recipe called for Jarlsberg cheese and peas, but I used up what I had on hand, and it was delicious. I also used Healthy Harvest Spaghetti which I liked in there. I didn't have leftover pasta, which is the idea for this recipe, but it cooked while I prepped and cooked the spinach so the timing was fine.

I will definitely make this again. It is nice to have one serving only and I like the added carbs to eggs from the spaghetti. It makes it more substantial and filling. 

Spaghetti Fritatta

• 2oz spaghetti cooked
• 3 oz baby spinach, chopped
• 1-2T minced onion
• 1 t. olive oil
• 2 T shredded cheese (I used Pepper Jack) 
• 2 eggs
• 2 T milk
• salt and pepper

1. Turn on broiler to high. 
2. Start your water boiling for the pasta if you don't have leftovers. I broke pasta in half so I could cook in a smaller pan and heat up less water to save time.
3. Heat oil in an 8" ovensafe skillet and saute onions for a few minutes. 
4. Add spinach and saute until wilted and moisture dries up a bit. You may need to add it in batches because of lack of room.
5. Wish eggs and milk in a medium bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add grated cheese. Add pasta and stir to combine. 
6. When spinach is cooked, add egg mixture to pan, and stir well to combine. Cook for 5-7 minutes until eggs start to set, but are still runny on top.
7. Put pan in broiler and broil up to 4 minutes till eggs are cooked through. 

Serves 1. 

Whole Wheat Pasta with Fennel and Sausage

Total Time: 35 minutes

Grade: A-

Make Again: Yes

Recipe Source: Cook's Illustrated (March 2010)

It seems like Cook's Illustrated is trying to do some easier recipes recently. That is fine with me. This one is really easy, fast and good. It would have cooked faster if it wasn't for my slow stove top (electric.) If I had a nice gas cook top, I'm sure it would be faster (as would a lot of my cooking.)

I only used 2 tablespoons of oil, and I still felt like this was a little greasy actually. I will do it with 1 T. next time and use some pasta water to stretch the "sauce". I also felt like the 6 T. of garlic was a little bit much, and would probably use half of that next time. Turkey sausage will work here too to make a little lighter.

I didn't have any lemon with me, or fresh basil and it was still good. I think the basil would be nice, but I don't think it needed the lemon. It is definitely a good recipe for whole wheat, and I'll use again. I don't care for raw fennel, but love it when it is cooked, so this is a good recipe for that also.

Whole-Wheat Pasta with Kale and Fontina

Total Time: 28 minutes
Cook Time: minutes

Grade: A-

Make Again: Yes

Recipe Source: Everyday Food (October 2003)

If you like kale, then this is a good recipe. I love that it is so quick, and the ingredients in here really do taste well with the whole-wheat pasta (although, technically, my pasta is not 100% whole-wheat - Ronzoni.) I had some extra fontina left from the Baked Pasta dish last week, and this was perfect way to use up the extra, because it just calls for a little bit.

This calls for just a little bit of bacon which really adds to the flavor. I always freeze my bacon that I buy on sale in one and two piece portions so I always have some on hand. (A bonus: it is really easy to cut frozen bacon.)