Baby Pasta Shells with Asparagus and Marinara Sauce

A light Spring pasta dish the whole family will enjoy; baby shells are tossed with chopped asparagus and a light marinara sauce. Quick and easy, perfect for vegetarians or meatless Fridays.
You can make a double batch of this sauce to use for other recipes throughout the week or freeze it for a later time. This recipe requires having cooked marinara sauce on hand, so if you don’t have any make the sauce as your first step.

A light Spring pasta dish the whole family will enjoy; baby shells are tossed with chopped asparagus and a light marinara sauce


BABY PASTA SHELLS WITH ASPARAGUS AND MARINARA SAUCE


282.5 calories
TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes

A light Spring pasta dish the whole family will enjoy; baby shells are tossed with chopped asparagus and a light marinara sauce. Quick and easy, perfect for vegetarians or meatless Fridays.

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz baby pasta shells (gluten free use brown rice pasta)
1 bunch thin asparagus, tough ends removed
1 1/2 cups quick marinara sauce
1/4 cup Pecorino Romano
salt and fresh pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Boil about 4 inches of water in a large pot, when boiling add asparagus and cook about 2 to 3 minutes, or until tender crisp.

Drain and chop into small bite sized pieces.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil (you can use the same pot from the asparagus not to dirty too many dishes). Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente.

While pasta is cooking, in a medium saucepan heat 1-1/2 cups marinara sauce.

Drain pasta and RESERVE a cup of the pasta water.

Return pasta back to the pot and toss with marinara, asparagus, grated cheese, salt and pepper and a 1/4 cup of the pasta water or as needed to loosen the sauce.

Divide between four bowls and top with fresh pepper and more grated cheese if desired.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

  • Yield: 4 servings, Serving Size: 1-1/4 cups
  • Amount Per Serving:
  • Smart Points: 9
  • Points +: 7
  • Calories: 282.5
  • Total Fat: 3.5g
  • Saturated Fat: g
  • Cholesterol: mg
  • Sodium: mg
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Sugar: g
  • Protein: 11g

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