Banza pasta is amazing - made from chickpeas, it has twice the protein and 4x the fiber as regular white pasta, so you'll be happily full after a smaller amount. Plus some greens and vegetables, this is about as nutritious as a pasta dinner gets.
2cupsBanza chickpea pasta - rotini, penne or other(uncooked)
1/2cupfrozen peas
2tspextra-virgin olive oil
4-6baby bella mushrooms, washed well & chopped(about 1 cup)
~2cupsorganic baby spinach or baby kale, chopped & packed
1cuporganic tomato pasta sauce*
1/2cupcooked cannellini beans or another white bean - about 1/3 can(optional)
Instructions
Fill a medium-sized sauce pan with water and bring to a boil.
Meanwhile, prepare mushrooms and spinach. Drain and rinse beans, if using; dry well. Set aside about 1/2 cup and store the rest of the can in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week.
Add the pasta to the boiling water and stir. Cook according to the package directions, adding the frozen peas in for the last 2 minutes or so. (The cook time varies according to the shape but it's 7-9 minutes for the rotini, so I cook the pasta for 4-5 minutes and then add the peas for 2 mins). Drain.
In the same pot, heat about 2 teaspoons of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the mushrooms and stir; cook about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the spinach and cook, stirring constantly, for about a minute.
Add the sauce and beans; stir and cook 1-2 minutes or until the sauce is beginning to bubble. Stir in the pasta and peas; try the pasta and cook for another minute if you like it softer. Serve right away, sprinkled with fresh pepper or red pepper flakes, nutritional yeast, cheese, fresh herbs, etc.! Leftovers will keep for a few days in the fridge.
Notes
*Look for pasta sauce that's organic (tomatoes are on the Dirty Dozen) with no added sugar, sweeteners or preservatives - basically, you should recognize every ingredient.You can find Banza at Whole Foods and most grocery stores, or online at Amazon, Thrive Market (referral link for 25% off), Fresh Direct, etc.Trader Joe's Organic Brown Rice & Quinoa Fusilli is my #2 healthy pasta (it's not quite as nutritious, though).