Busy cooks love to serve pasta because it's quick and easy to prepare and well-received at the table. Good pasta doesn't need a lot of accompaniment; it can serve as a fine meal with the addition of just a few simple ingredients. Vegetarian pasta can stretch the family budget, and no one will even notice the absence of meat with these delicious ideas.
Instructions
Instructions
1. Choose from the following two groups of vegetables, which require different cooking methods, to serve in your vegetarian pasta dish. Group 1: broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, asparagus or snap peas. Group 2: mushrooms, sweet peppers, yellow squash, zucchini or eggplant. You can choose one type or a combination, from either group, but you will need a total of 1 lb. of vegetables. Wash and cut the vegetables into bite-size pieces.
2. Purchase 1 lb. of pasta to serve four to six people. Most types of pasta are interchangeable, and almost any kind, except angel hair, will work well for this recipe. Whole grain pasta is recommended for the extra nutrition it provides. Bring 2 qt. water to a boil in a large pot. Add a tablespoon of salt and the pasta and stir frequently.
3. Cook the pasta, taking note of the recommended cooking time on the box or bag, and add the prepared vegetables from Group 1 to the pot with the pasta 5 minutes before it is supposed to be done.
4. Meanwhile, sauté one minced onion or three cloves of minced garlic in 4 tbsp. olive oil until it just begins to soften. Add vegetables from Group 2 and sauté until tender, about 5 to 7 minutes.
5. When the pasta is done, drain it with the vegetables from Group 1, and add the olive oil with the onion or garlic and Group 2 vegetables to the cooking pot with the pasta. Add fresh or dried herbs, such as parsley, oregano, rosemary or basil, and the following optional extras: sliced green or black olives, capers, fresh chopped tomato, pesto sauce, hot pepper flakes, lemon zest, chives, chickpeas, lentils or chopped green onions.
6. Heat and stir until all ingredients are mixed and heated through. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Transfer to a warmed dish and serve immediately. Provide grated Parmesan cheese on the table for individuals to sprinkle on their vegetarian pasta if desired.
Tags: from Group, vegetables from, vegetables from Group, vegetarian pasta, with pasta