Becoming Betty: Christmas Eve dinner with a twist

So for every Christmas Eve, we have Alia Oilia (garlic and oil sauce). Usually every week Dan and I have pasta with Francesca Rinaldi sauce.   That is the only sauce I will use because it's close to Aunt Helen's sauce.  So anyway, I was going to do our regular pasta dish last night when I realized we didn't have any Francesa.  Then I was thinking, I'll just use italian dressing ( my speciality pasta dish), but then I though - what about Alia Oilia?  DONE!

Now, this is my FIRST time making Aunt Helen's sauce AND I didn't follow the recipe (I didn't let it simmer for 3 hoursplus we didn't have paprika).  So this was a big thing for me!  Dan is usually the one in charge of the sauce on Christmas Eve.

My twist - using ziti and adding Italian blend shredded cheese.  Dan liked it, so that's all that matters - and of course I liked it.  Definitely not the same as Christmas Eve, which is what I wanted.  

I think Aunt Helen would be proud. Of course, I was always her favorite, so no doubt. I probably would have asked to chance it first though.😉