Pasta with Homemade Super Quick Marinara Sauce with Zucchini and Ham

I know, I know that was a mouthful. But how else would I call this real super quick pasta dish to give every detail that is needed to know? Exactly. You need to know that I made this marinara sauce with fresh ingredients (except for the tomato paste) and I added one zucchini and cubed ham for a seriously unexpected joy explosion in the mouth! You need to know that I am having my exams so frankly, I couldn't care less to cook something über delicious lunch. Besides, my family is in and about so they don't have the time, either. But I started Insanity (the workout) and it is sooo exhausting that after I finish I can't wait to replace the calories I just burned! That is when I started searching for something in the fridge.

I found a zucchini... Hmmm...What to do with a zucchini that is quick and more or less healthy? Pasta? Didn't have whole wheat at home but found some fusili pasta made of durum wheat so it's not that bad, either. Found a whole bottle of organic tomato paste so it basically gave me the recipe :)

I was ready with lunch in less than 30 minutes! Including setting the table! Pretty nice, isn't it? You can make a bowl of fresh salad and it is a very nutritious yet delicious lunch! Or dinner...Whatever :)

Pasta with Homemade Marinara Sauce with Zucchini and Ham

for 4 people

1 package of pasta

350 gram bottled tomato paste - organic preferred

4 thick slices of ham - cubed

1 zucchini - shredded

1 onion - diced

1 garlic

italian seasoning - preferably one that doesn't have any salt

salt

pepper

fresh basil - if you have on your hand

parmesan or grana paddano

Bring water to the boil and add the paste in. Cook it according to the instructions on the pasta's box. 

Measure 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a bigger sauce pan. Don't heat it just yet just add in the diced onion. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and then turn on the heat. My mom and I are very sensitive to onions so we need to cook it this way. Cook it for about 8 minutes and then add the cubed ham to the onion. Cook it for another 5-7 minutes and then comes the shredded zucchini. Season with pepper and the italian seasoning and garlic powder. Cook for 5 minutes and pour the tomato paste in the pan. Add some salt if needed and cook it for 10-15 minutes. 

When serving, sprinkle some parmesan on top of the marinara and then mix it together with the pasta. Enjoy :)