Not So Pretty Penne

Not So Pretty Penne

I know this doesn't look like the most appetizing pasta dish ever, but I created it purely for nutritional reasons and looks can be deceiving.  I had a bunch of veggies from Market on the Move I wanted to use, which is why some of the quantities seem like a lot. It was actually really good and the kids asked for seconds.  It is also a time consuming recipe and requires 4 different pans.

Tools:

1) Garlic Press

2) Small Sauce Pan

3) Large Sauce Pan

4) Large Soup Pot

5) Large Skillet

6) Immersion Blender

Ingredients:

1) 1 box Whole Wheat Penne

2) 1 Jar Pasta Sauce

3) 1/4 cup Quinoa

4) 1/4 cup Lentils

5) 1/4 cup Sprouted Mung Beans

6) 1 bag frozen chopped Kale

7) 8 frozen Basil Cubes (I found at Walmart)

8) 1 head Garlic, crushed

9) 2 Zucchini, chopped

10) 1 Yellow Onion, diced

11) 2 Red Bell Peppers, diced

12) 6 Portabella Mushrooms, chopped

13) 4 packages Cherry Tomatoes (I had a lot from Market on the Move)

14) Seasonings... Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasoning, Cumin, Curry, Coriander and Tumeric

Directions:

1) In the small sauce pan, bring water to a boil, add the Quinoa, Lentils and Mung Beans, turn down heat and cook until soft, then set aside.

2) In the large sauce pan, bring water to a boil, then add the box of Whole Wheat Penne, turn down heat and cook until al dente, or however you prefer your noodles, then set aside.

3) In the soup pot, sautee in water, the Basil Cubes, Garlic and Zucchini for a few minutes then add the Kale, Pasta Sauce, 3 packages of Cherry Tomatoes, Italian Seasoning, and a pasta sauce jar of water. Bring to a boil, turn down heat and simmer until all veggies are soft, then set aside.

4) In the large skillet, sautee in water, the Onions, Bell Peppers, Mushrooms and 1 package halved Cherry Tomatoes, then season with Cumin and set aside.

5) To the soup pot, add the Quinoa, Lentil and Mung Bean medley, puree with the Immersion Blender, then season with Salt, Pepper, Curry, Coriander and Tumeric to taste.

6) To the pureed mixture, stir in the sauteed vegetables and Penne pasta.

7) Serve and Enjoy! :)

Thoughts... It may not look all that appetizing but it tasted great and packed in a ton of nutrition! The kids loved it too once they tasted it.

Comments... This is just one of my creations that I will probably never make again, only because it was based on what I had at the time!