Lightened- Up Pasta Carbonara

I enjoy pasta, especially when smothered in a creamy Alfredo sauce, but let's face it, this is not typically a "healthy" choice.  I have lightened up my own gluten free version so that I can enjoy it guilt-free. Take a few minutes to put this together and serve it to your family or have it on a special occasion, like an at-home date night or a special girls night with friends. No one will know its gluten free, and it doesn't taste "light." Here I have taken Quinoa/Corn pasta from Ancient Harvest, and added peas, bacon pieces (a few) and my own parmesan cheese sauce. Topped off with parsley, sea salt and freshly ground pepper, it is delicious. I make my sauce by creating a gluten-free rue, using a little butter, a little potato flour, low fat milk, and freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano. I usually do not measure when I am cooking, so below is the basics of how I create my dish...it will give you the general idea.

Cook pasta according to directions on the box, adding some frozen peas during the last several minutes of cooking; drain together, set aside. Melt the butter in a saucepan, over medium-low heat. Stir in the potato flour until slightly toasted, and then add 1% milk, continuously whisking this mixture to avoid scorching. Once the mixture begins to thicken, lower the heat and add shredded cheese, whisking until completely blended. Remove the pan from heat, toss in the drained pasta and peas until well coated.   Grate a little more parmesan cheese on top, sprinkle with bacon pieces (I use either turkey bacon that I have microwaved on a towel-lined plate and crumbled, or I use the packaged bacon pieces typically used for salads) parsley, salt and pepper. That's it! Add any ingredients you want- this could easily become Pasta Primavera by taking out the bacon and adding several types of veggies. Leave out the peas and bacon and its simply Alfredo! You could also change up the cheese to suit your tastes or what you have in your kitchen. Get creative...a gluten free diet should not be boring! Bon Appetite!