Universal Pasta Marinara
I say "universal" because it is flexible enough to fit ANY set of taste buds and ANY level of cooking skills, any family size, budget, and occasion. It is also a great way to incorporate any and all veggies in your fridge (especially the green ones!).
I did a cooking demo last week and this is a combination that I chose - crowd seemed to like it! Garlic, mushrooms and basil set a nice flavor; asparagus added a nice crunch; and an occasional bite into olive added some saltiness to the overall balanced dish.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of whole grain penne pasta*
- 3 Garlic cloves
- 1/2 Onion
- 1 Yellow pepper
- 1 Carrot
- 2 Portobello mushrooms
- ½ cup Garbanzo beans
- 5 Asparagus stalks
- 1/3 Cup Olives
- 2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp Nutritional yeast
- 1 ½ cup Marinara sauce
- Basil for garnish
Directions:
1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and reserve.
2. Heat water in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, onions, green pepper, and carrots and sauté until tender, adding more water as needed. Add mushrooms. Allow to cook for 1-2 minutes until aromatic. Add drained chickpeas and asparagus and toss to coat.
3. Add tomato sauce, soy sauce, and nutritional yeast and mix to combine. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes until heated through. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer. Combine cooked pasta and chickpea tomato sauce and serve.
Notes:
- *There are so many healthy pasta choices today! Whole wheat whole grain, or quinoa pasta, or edamame, or blacken... I also like to make zucchini "pasta" - the one you see in the picture above - for a lighter version. It is also a good option for those who are looking to avoid gluten for any reason.
- You can sub, add or subtract any veggies, legumes and mushrooms of your liking. I like to add lentils, it make a hearty and filling sauce.
- You can use store-bought marinara for a quick dinner or prepare your family recipe from scratch!
- Use your imagination. Options are limitless. But remember - pasta is really just a vehicle here, so incorporate as many veggies as you can!
Have fun!
Love, Krystyna
