As I was looking through my post archive the other day, I realized that it's been a while since I posted a quick healthy dinner idea for you all. So I am back today with my spin on the trendy legume-based pasta which, somehow, is a hit at my house with my kids.
I saw this pasta at the store on sale and purchased a couple of boxes. I cooked the first box with our usual marinara sauce and chicken sausage. For the second box, I wanted to try something different. The pasta is made from lentils so it already has protein in it. Therefore, I wanted to serve it with something else that was meat-free. I had extra avocados and basil so I went with that. I know I'm not reinventing the wheel here. I'm simply trying to use what I have at hand to put together a healthy dinner.
If you haven't tried legume-based pasta, here are some of its benefits:
1. It has four times the amount of fiber so it's very beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract.
2. It has 1/3 less carbs so it is a healthier alternative to traditional pasta.
3. Legume-based pasta counts as a veggie serving. If pasta is popular with your kids, it's an easy way to sneak in veggie servings alongside the pasta.
This pasta cooks quickly so keep an eye on it while it's boiling. I add a drizzle of olive oil and salt to my pot of pasta as it boils. You can prepare the sauce quickly as the pasta cooks using a blender. Here's what you need:
1 avocado
1/4 cup basil chopped
1 garlic
salt
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tbsp coconut milk (you could use olive oil too)
3 tbsp water to thin out the sauce
Blend the ingredients together until everything is well-incorporated. When the pasta is cooked, drain it and mix in the sauce gently. You can garnish with basil on the side for adults. With my kids, I made sure to have their trusty Parmesan cheese on the side and I did not mention that the pasta is made with lentils. I called it "green monster" pasta and it seemed to strike a cord with my toddler.
I hope you enjoy this simple but healthy recipe!
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