Some nights are just so short that you need a quick meal.
On your way home you have an urge to give your kids fast food because it is so easy, but you force yourself to go home and make something that will keep them healthy and feeling good. Congrats! You have taken the first step in being responsible for your family’s health! Now that you are home, you know that boxed noodles and mac and cheese are easy, but if you are going to do that, you might as well do one of my favorite quick meals…veggies and pasta. The noodles that I buy are made from brown rice and that means lots of great nutrition for your kids. On top of that, you want to get organic pasta sauce, as tomatoes are some of the dirtiest vegetables out there. (refer to the Dirty Dozen app mentioned in a previous post HERE). Make sure your veggies are organic and since this is a quick meal, it is okay to use frozen veggies. I use frozen veggies a ton. Always good to have them on hand ready to go at a moment’s notice.
The noodles that I recommend you getting for this recipe are brown rice noodles. I like these noodles the best because they have the consistency of normal noodles without the wheat. That means that they are gluten free and after you eat a whole bowl of these bad boys, you will not feel bloated. There are tons of other great benefits too, including healthy carbs for energy, protein, and even some wonderful insoluble fiber, which your body needs to keep a healthy gut and keep you regular! (I know what you’re thinking and NO…you will not be running to the bathroom after one bowl of this.) A serving only gives you 10% of the recommended daily amount. Here is what you need to make this awesome quick meal:
Ingredients:
- Tinkyada Brown Rice Pasta (or any brown rice pasta you can find).
- Frozen organic veggies mixed in whatever variety you want. Mine pictured below usually has peas, carrots, green beans, corn and edamame in it.
- Organic tomato sauce of your liking (Engine 2 Brand makes a pasta sauce that is absolutely killer)
Method:
- Cook the noodles according to the package directions. They usually only take about 10 minutes to cook. After they are done, put them into a strainer and give them a quick rinse with cool tap water. This will keep them from continuing to cook and give them the perfect al-dente texture!
- While the noodles are cooking, put your frozen veggies in a skillet and get them going at about a 5.0 or 6.0 setting. Add water a teaspoon or so at a time to keep the veggies from sticking. Keep in mind that they are frozen, so some water will come off of them naturally. Cook them for around 10 minutes until they are cooked, but still firm and their color is bright. Don’t use oil to cook these. You just don’t need it and all it provides is fat.
- When number 1 and 2 are done cooking, combine them and pour the organic pasta sauce fresh out of the jar all over the noodles and veggies. Stir it all up and you are good!
Make a big batch and send it in your kids’ lunches the next day or so. They will love you!
