My 30-minute Meal

1 lb penne pasta
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion (yellow or white), chopped
½ lb shrimp
1 package sliced fresh mushroom
1 jar Marinara Sauce.
1 c Italian Blend Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

Cook pasta as directed, drain sprinkle olive oil and a dash of dried basil. Set aside. Sauté onions and garlic in extra virgin olive oil, then add shrimp. Once shrimp is pink, add mushroom, about 2/3 c of the cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Add Marinara Sauce. Simmer. Toss in the pasta, and transfer to serving dish. Top with cheese (can place in broiler for a few minutes to brown the cheese). Serve.


Plain chilled watermelon for dessert.

Rachael Ray would never have used store-bought pasta sauce. She would have concocted a delectable side dish that compliments the pasta and kicked up the watermelon (create a margarita?). But hey, I'm no Rachael Ray.