Week #1 Spaghetti with Marinara

 
Recipe #1 Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce   (serves 8)          
1 (16 oz) Spaghetti noodles (or pasta of choice)                                                   
3 Tbsp olive oil *
Spice packet:  1 Tbsp Freeze dried garlic (1tsp powder)
                        1 Tbsp Parsley (4 T fresh)
                        2 Tbsp dried onion (1/4 c fresh)                                                     
                        1 tsp each oregano & basil
                        ½ tsp salt
                        ¼ tsp pepper
1 28oz can (or 2 14oz cans) stewed tomatoes (can use crushed or 8 fresh tomatoes)
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 can chicken broth (opt)
Olives (opt)

Cook noodles according to package directions.  Meanwhile, in saucepan, heat olive oil on medium heat.  Add Spice Packet to oil and stir until fragrant.  Add stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce and chicken broth.  Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 20-30 min.  Serve over drained spaghetti.

Notes:  I like to puree in food processor for a smoother sauce.  I throw everything into the blender and then into a pot to simmer.
Stewed tomatoes will give you a deeper flavor as they are cooked with onions and peppers.
Optional:  Add 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar, Sugar or 1 Tbsp butter to balance out acidity.
This sauce is also great as a base for spaghetti sauce (add hamburger), as a base for Bolognese, on pizza or on French bread and let the kids add the pizza toppings of their choice.....French Bread Pizza!.....yummo!  Great for FHE nights!
I have my “working” recipes in a notebook……..makes my life so much easier when I haven’t planned ahead and can just flip thru my book.  Mark on your recipe “where” you have the meal stored….i.e. under Susie’s bed, etc.
*pantry item

---

Shopping List for 5 meals:                5 packages (16oz) spaghetti noodles                                                                        5 (28oz) cans stewed tomatoes             5 (8oz) cans tomato sauce             5-10 cans vegetables or fruits (1-2 per meal) Date cans & packages Place all items (don’t forget your 5 spice packets from the recipe) into a box and attach label below to the front.  Boxes can slide under beds.   If you have a large pantry, meal items can be stored there in sections.   If you have a full working pantry, as we will work towards you will have all items on hand at any given time so items just go into Pantry and recipe into Notebook

---

Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce      Box Label
Need:  1 pkg. spaghetti noodles
            1 can stewed tomatoes (or 2 small cans)
            1 can tomato sauce
            1 spice packet
            1-2 cans fruits/vegetables