Lots of Veggies and Whole Wheat Pasta...

So I grew up in an Italian Family and we literally ate pasta 4-5 times a week!! Not whole wheat either - regular homemade flour pasta.. and boy oh boy was it delicious. So I realize now that its not that healthy to eat pasta that much, so we don't eat it often, but when we do we eat 100% whole grain or whole wheat and we load the dish with veggies.. We also don't eat extra bread with the meal and usually add a salad in there as well. I need my pasta fix every once in awhile, but its ok b/c we are combo eaters and everything is ok in moderation :)

So I will call this LOTS of Veggies and Yummy Whole Wheat Pasta w/ Mozz cheese ..

Start off w/ all of our ingredients set out and ready to be prepared :)

 To serve 4, you will need 1lb of 100% whole grain or whole wheat pasta.   I used shells, but really any shape will work..

Put the water on for the pasta first and get that boiling so you can get your other ingredients together while your pasta is cooking.. I usually cook the pasta for about 10 mins in the boiling water b/c I like it al dente :)

In the meantime, chop up 1 onion and place it in a skillet with about 2 table spoons of olive oil.. Let that simmer until the onion is soft.. Stir frequently :)

 Next, chop up 1 Bell Pepper (any color works) and add that to the onion. At this time you can also chop 2 cloves of garlic and add that to the skillet as well.

By this point, your pasta should be in the water. If your pasta is in, you can stir the veggies and watch the pasta - and take some time here to clean up or set the table :) You will have about 5 mins waiting time..

When the pasta has 5 more minutes to cook, add the 1 1-lb bag or organic frozen peas - Feel free to use fresh as well. I just had some organic frozen ones in the freezer that I decided to use up :) 

You can place them in frozen and they can cook for about 3 minutes and they should be warm... 

 Finally, Once the peas are warm add 1 pint of organic cherry/grape tomatoes. I cut the tomatoes in half and they are last to go in the pot b/c you don't want them to be mushy. Be sure to stir the mixture as it can get dry and sticky to the pot if not ..

At this point, your pasta should be almost done, if not all the way done..

 Grab a large bowl that you can use to combine all of your ingredients and chop up some whole mozz cheese. You can buy the small little balls or the regular block of mozz from the cheese section of your grocer - of course organic is better :)

To the same bowl, add two large TBSP of Basil Pesto.  You can make your own pesto for sure. I used the whole foods brand which is all natural and doesn't have any additives .. 

All of your ingredients should be ready to combine.. Put half of the veggie mixture in the same bowl w/ the pesto and mozz and half of the pasta.. Stir until combined.. Add 2 more tablespoons of basil pesto and stir until all combined.. You be the judge w/ the pesto.. if you want more add more less add less.. Totally depending on what you want.. 

Once all combined you have your final product :) A delicious easy meal packed w/ veggies and the enjoyment of pasta :) 

 I served this w/ a leafy green salad and feel free to top w/ parm cheese as well. This is also GREAT left over for lunches etc. Of course I made too much but Cort and I enjoyed it in our lunch for a few days.

This a great time of year for fun more warm meals with the changing in the weather. Enjoy :)

Live Well xoxo