Veggie Pasta Toss Recipes

VEGETABLE NOT-SAGNA PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Heat a pot of water to a boil for pasta. Salt boiling water and cook pasta to al dente. Heads up: reserve a ladle of the hot cooking water just before you drain pasta.
• Place the frozen spinach on a plate and microwave to defrost it according to your microwave's directions. Place defrosted spinach in a clean kitchen towel and wring out the liquid.
• Heat a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. Halve the zucchini lengthwise then thinly slice into half moons and add to the pan along with the mushrooms. Cook 2 to 3 minutes then add onions and garlic to the pan. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. When the onions are tender, about 5 minutes, add defrosted spinach, separating into small bits as you handle it, and the roasted red peppers and toss to heat through. Transfer veggies to a dish and return skillet to stove top. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil and the butter. When the butter melts into extra-virgin olive oil, add 2 rounded tablespoons of flour and cook a minute or so, then whisk in stock and milk. Bring to a bubble and thicken the sauce, reducing it 2 to 3 minutes. Season the sauce with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Slide vegetables back into sauce.
• Place the part-skim ricotta in a large shallow bowl and combine with a ladle of boiling, starchy pasta cooking water. Stir to combine then add in a couple of handfuls of grated cheese.
• Drain pasta and toss with cheeses. Add half the vegetables and sauce to pasta and toss to combine. Tear or shred basil and toss into pasta. Adjust seasonings. Top bowlfuls of Vegetable Not-sagna with remaining veggies in sauce and pass extra grated cheese at the table.

PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook penne pasta in salted water according to package directions, reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
• Meanwhile heat olive oil in a 12-inch (and deep) skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add red onion and carrot and saute 2 minutes.
• Add broccoli and bell pepper then saute 2 minutes.
• Add squash and zucchini then saute 2 - 3 minutes or until veggies have nearly softened.
• Add garlic, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning and saute 2 minutes longer.
• Pour veggies into now empty pasta pot or a serving bowl, add drained pasta, drizzle in lemon juice, season with a little more salt as needed and toss while adding in pasta water to loosen as desired.
• Toss in 1/4 cup parmesan and parsley then serve with remaining parmesan on top.

VEGGIE-PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
• Meanwhile, heat dressing in large saucepan on medium-high heat. Add potatoes and garlic; cook 3 min., stirring frequently. Stir in broth; bring to boil. Cover; simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. Stir in broccoli and peppers; simmer, covered, 3 min. or until vegetables are tender. Add Neufchatel and thyme; cook and stir until Neufchatel is completely melted and mixture is well blended.
• Drain pasta; place in large bowl. Add sauce; mix lightly. Sprinkle with Parmesan.

PASTA AND VEGETABLE TOSS

Steps:

• Cook fetuccini according to package directions and drain keep warm.
• In large skillet, cook onion, garlic, Italian seasoning in oil till tender.
• Add water, bouillon and vegetables.
• Cover and simmer 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
• Toss with hot fetuccini.
• Serve immediately.
• Refrigerate leftovers.