Italian Cream Sodas and Fettuccine

I used to always squander my money at Olive Garden on their yummy Italian Cream Sodas...until I figured out I could just make them at home! Another bonus of making them yourself is free refills! You just need club soda, half and half, and flavored syrup. If you know me, it's a no-brainer that I used cherry, but you can use whatever. Just use 5 parts club soda for one part syrup. Then I just dump in the cream.

I think the alfredo sauce that I made from America's Test Kitchen is the best I've ever had! I took the recipe straight from the cookbook and it isn't available online from what I could see...it's the usual alfredo ingredients with a pinch of nutmeg. I just grilled chicken with olive oil and garlic salt and it was delicious on top.

Simple Scrumptious Spaghetti Sauce

You all know how to make the spaghetti, so I'll spare you the details...the sauce would be great with fresh tomatoes, but I didn't have any on hand.

Spaghetti Sauce - the hubby always makes this, says it's something his mom always made, we'll have to ask her where she got it!

1 large can whole tomatoes
5 T extra virgin olive oil
5 garlic cloves
10 basil leaves

Here's how we make it, but I'm sure there are better ways!
Put the tomatoes in a pan. Use a potato masher gently to mash them up the best you can-watch out for flying tomato juice! Add the olive oil and use a garlic press to add the garlic. (I usually end up doing 6 or 7 because nothing comes out from the first one!) Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 20 minutes. Add the basil by cutting small strips into the sauce. Stir and leave on low another few minutes. Your sauce is ready!

This is pretty healthy, too! Use whole wheat pasta to make it even more healthy!