pasta with vegetables
Whether your kids take the bus, walk, or you pick them up from school, one thing is for certain: they will come home hungry. Without fail, the kids walk through the door and walk straight for the refrigerator saying something like, “I’m starving,” or “what can I eat?” It might be easier to have something prepared ahead of time. Rather than rummaging through the refrigerator with them desperately seeking a snack, you can make it and have it ready to microwave when they arrive.
artichoke hearts, onions and garlic
If you are home and have time, you could have it hot and ready to eat as they walk through the door. One snack that is sure to please as well as provide some needed nutrients is pasta topped with a vegetable sauce.
add stewed tomatoes
Here is a simple recipe. You can add or take away whatever vegetables you please.
Vegetable topped pasta
Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4
1 lb dry pasta
3 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
½ onion, sliced
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 carrot, chopped
1 stick of celery, chopped
½ C. artichoke hearts
3 C. stewed tomatoes
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese
1 C. shredded parmesan cheese
¼ C. cilantro, chopped
Fill a stock pot with water and place on high heat to bring it to a boil. In a skillet, place 2 Tbsp. of the olive oil. Bring the skillet to high heat. Add the onions and garlic and bring the heat down to medium high. Cook the onions until they become clear. Add the sugar and continue to stir into the sugar for another two minutes. Add the carrots, onions, and artichoke hearts. Add the stewed tomatoes and tomato paste. Add the oregano, thyme, salt and pepper. Let this simmer on low heat until the pasta is cooked and ready. Stir occasionally. Pour the dry pasta into the boiling water with a pinch of salt and the rest of the olive oil and let cook according to the package instructions for al dente. Drain the pasta and add it to the sauce to cook for two minutes more. Top it with the cheeses and cilantro. Enjoy.
Daphne loves it!
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Tags: after school snack, pasta, vegetables
