Pasta with quorn mince in tomato sauce

On weekdays, after a long day at work, it is so difficult to resist the temptation of just picking up the phone and ordering a takeaway! I do give in to the temptation now and then but most days I try to rustle up a healthy dinner with a key few ingredients which I keep in my kitchen cabinet and the freezer. Uncooked pasta packets, tomato cans and frozen quorn mince are a few such ingredients which combine to make an absolutely delicious and healthy meal. I am not a vegetarian but I absolutely love the quorn mince and the fact that it so convenient. So here is how I make my spicy vegetarian pasta bolognese :).

Ingredients

200 gms penne pasta

1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion chopped

3 cloves of garlic finely chopped 

2 green chillies chopped (adjust as per taste)

1 400 gm can of chopped tomatoes

1/4 tsp chilli flakes

1/4 tsp pepper

salt to taste

180 gms frozen quorn mince

5-6 basil leaves 

Water

Grated parmesan and extra virgin olive oil for garnishing

Method

Bring a large pan of water, with some salt to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as per the instructions on the packet. (tip - add some oil to it so the pasta doesn't stick)

In another pan, heat a tbsp of olive oil. Add the garlic and toss for 30 seconds. Add the onion and green chillies and cook for a couple of minutes until the onions are softened.

Add the can of tomatoes, chilli powder, pepper and salt. Cover and cook for 3-4 minutes. If the sauce has dried up add 1/4 cup of water and simmer for a minute. Add the frozen quorn mince and cover and cook as instructed on the quorn packet. About 10-12 minutes.

Place the basil leaves on top of each other on a chopping board, roll and thinly slice, and add to the sauce.

Toss in the cooked and drained pasta. Simmer for a minute or two.

Serve and garnish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and grated parmesan.