2 Healthy Pasta Recipes: Plant-Based Protein

This post is sponsored by Barilla but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Finding a healthy pasta recipe or any healthier meal option can be a struggle during the chaos of the school year. There is less time to plan out meals with the juggling of kids’ schedules and homework. I have been working overtime trying to find those meals that are considered healthier for my family, but also not taking up so much time of evenings preparing. Well here are 2 healthy pasta recipes that will be a huge success for your weekly meal plan.

Healthy Pasta done right.

There are so many versions of pasta available, but only one that provides a superior taste and “al dente” texture: Barilla Red Lentil Rotini & Penne. With it being made from only one simple ingredient, red lentils, you don’t have to worry about some questionable ingredients that you cannot even pronounce! So what are the nutritional benefits of the Barilla Red Lentil Rotini and Penne pasta?

• Good Source of Plant-Based Protein
• Fiber Rich
• Naturally Gluten Free
• Non-GMO Certified
• Vegetarian/Vegan
• Grain Free

These are great benefits that make me happy with what I am feeding my family at dinner time!

Meal prepping with healthy pasta.

These two pasta dishes are perfect for meal prepping.  You can prep both meals at the beginning of the week to be able to serve quickly on nights that are chaotic. The way to go about the meal prep is to purchase all the ingredients on Sunday or Monday. The day depends on which day you are wanting to meal prep. The pasta can be cooked ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for a few days. After cooking the pasta according to the box, rinse them well and toss them in extra virgin olive oil. Then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

As for the tomato sauce, cook it according to the recipe. Then once it is cooled, you can place it in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for a few days. I love to batch make my tomato sauce. I separate the sauce into 2 different storage containers so that I can pull out one as needed.

You could even prep all the fresh vegetables beforehand by cutting/dicing, then storing in a container in the refrigerator. These can be cooked the day in which the meal will be served, right before tossing the pasta and sauce together.

Let’s move onto the recipes now that I have told you all how to meal prep these healthy pasta recipes!

Red Lentil Penne with Eggplant & Red Pepper

2019-09-20 11:51:02

Serves 4

A healthy pasta alternative with red lentil penne. The pasta is perfectly "al dente" and are tossed in a light tomato sauce along with sauteed eggplant and red pepper.

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

15 min

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

15 min

Ingredients

1. 1 8.8 oz box of Barilla Red Lentil Penne
2. 1/2 cup of almond milk
3. 35 oz Italian Tomatoes
4. 1 garlic clove, minced
5. 1/2 tsp salt
6. 1/2 tsp black pepper
7. 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
8. 1 eggplant, diced
9. 2 red bell peppers, diced
10. 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
11. 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
12. optional: fresh basil

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If you don’t have Buy Me a Pie! app installed you’ll see the list with ingredients right after downloading it

Instructions

1. Cook the penne according to the box; rinse and set aside
2. Prep the Italian tomatoes: place the Italian tomatoes into a blender and puree until at a smooth consistency; set aside.
3. Prep the eggplant and red bell pepper by washing, cubing the eggplant and dicing the red bell pepper.
4. Heat the 1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil in a large saucepan; add the eggplant and red bell pepper; cook until tender
5. Remove the eggplant and red bell pepper from the saucepan and set aside.
6. Pour the Italian tomatoes puree into the saucepan and warm up on medium heat for about 3 minutes; add 1/2 cup of the shredded Parmesan cheese to the tomato sauce, and stir until the cheese is well melted.
7. Add the almond milk and seasonings; stir well and heat for about 3 minutes.
8. Add the penne to the tomato sauce and stir until the penne is well covered. Then toss in the eggplant and red bell pepper.
9. Serve warm and top with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

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The Sprouting Minds https://www.thesproutingminds.com/

Simple & Light Red Lentil Rotini

2019-09-20 12:09:57

Serves 4

This Red Lentil Rotini meal will not only bring the nutritional benefits to dinner time, but will put a smile on everyone's faces with the delicious taste and ease of this simple dish. Fresh, halved cherry tomatoes as well as shredded Parmesan cheese will be tossed last to give it that extra something. Diced fresh basil is also optional.

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

15 min

Prep Time

30 min

Cook Time

15 min

Ingredients

1. 1 8.8 oz box of Barilla Red Lentil Rotini
2. 1/2 cup of Almond Milk
3. 35 oz Italian Tomatoes
4. 1 garlic clove, minced
5. 1/2 tsp salt
6. 1/2 tsp black pepper
7. 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
8. 2 cups of cherry tomatoes
9. 1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
10. optional: fresh basil

Add ingredients to shopping list

If you don’t have Buy Me a Pie! app installed you’ll see the list with ingredients right after downloading it

Instructions

1. Cook the rotini according to the box; rinse and set aside
2. Prep the Italian tomatoes: place the Italian tomatoes into a blender and puree until at a smooth consistency; set aside.
3. Prep the cherry tomatoes by washing and cutting in half.
4. Pour the Italian tomatoes puree into the saucepan and warm up on medium heat for about 3 minutes; add 1/2 cup of the shredded Parmesan cheese to the tomato sauce, and stir until the cheese is well melted.
5. Add the almond milk and seasonings; stir well and heat for about 3 minutes.
6. Add the rotini to the tomato sauce and stir until the rotini is well covered. Then toss in the cherry tomato halves.
7. Serve warm and top with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Print

The Sprouting Minds https://www.thesproutingminds.com/

Keeping things simple and healthy for mealtime.

It doesn’t have to be complicating when trying to create a healthier mealtime. Barilla Red Lentil Penne and Rotini brings the perfect “al dente” pasta to meal time while providing all those wonderful nutritious benefits. I can’t forget to mention how these two pasta recipes will keep your weekly meal prepping simple, giving you more time to get kids to extracurricular activities and homework done.

Where can you find Barilla Red Lentil Penne and Rotini? Purchase here on Amazon (link) for an easy way to add healthier options to your diet –and leave a review with your thoughts on the pasta!