Making the Perfect Pasta

March 2, 2016 by Dinner Tonight

Pasta, part of the grains group, is part of a healthy eating pattern. Making the perfect pasta requires a little practice and method. This how to video shows a step by step process on how to prepare pasta for any meal.

Note: If you are looking to reduce your sodium/salt, eliminate the added salt.

Skillet Lasagna

July 23, 2015 by Dinner Tonight

Lasagna in less than 30 minutes and on your stove top!

Skillet Lasagna

CourseKid Friendly, Main Dish

Servings

Skillet Lasagna

CourseKid Friendly, Main Dish

Servings

Ingredients

1 lb extra lean ground beef chuck or round
2 green bell peppers chopped
1 1/2 tsp garlic cloves minced
1/4 onion chopped
2 (15 ounce) cans unsalted tomato sauce
1 cup water
1/4 cup Italian dressing reduced fat
1 10 ounce package oven ready wheat lasagna noodles broken into quarters
3/4 cup shredded, reduced fat mozzerella cheese

Servings:

Units:

Instructions

In a large sauce pan, brown meat and drain excess fat.
Add peppers, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, water, and dressing and bring to a boil.
Stir in noodles and cover.
Cook on medium heat 10 to 15 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring often.
Remove from heat and sprinkle with cheese; cover and let stand 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Recipe Notes

Skillet Lasagna Nutrition Facts Serving size (388g) servings per container 6 Amount per serving Calories 360 % Daily Value Total Fat 7 g 9 % Saturated Fat 3 g 15 % Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 55 mg 18 % Sodium 250 mg 11 % Total Carbohydrate 47 g 17 % Dietary Fiber 3 g 11 % Total Sugars 9 g Added Sugars 0 g 0 % Protein 29 g Vitamin D 0 % Calcium 20 % Iron 30 % Potassium 20 %

Hearty Two Bean Minestrone Soup

July 22, 2015 by Dinner Tonight

The perfect soup to add a fresh salad and whole grain bread sticks to! So zesty and delicious, a family favorite, enjoy.

Hearty Two Bean Minestrone Soup

CourseMain Dish, Vegetables

Servings

Hearty Two Bean Minestrone Soup

CourseMain Dish, Vegetables

Servings

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion chopped
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
4 tbsp unsalted tomato sauce
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup uncooked, whole wheat, small shell shaped pasta
2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth reduced fat and reduced sodium
1 (15.5 ounce) can red kidney beans reduced sodium, drained and rinsed
1 (15.5 ounce) can garbanzo beans reduced sodium, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian style stewed tomatoes unsalted, undrained
2 cups chopped kale
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Servings:

Units:

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat until hot.
Cook and stir onion and garlic 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is translucent.
Add broth, beans, tomatoes, kale, or swiss chard (if desired), pasta and seasonings; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 to 12 minutes or until pasta is tender.
Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Recipe Notes

Minestrone Pasta

July 22, 2015 by Dinner Tonight

Pasta anyone? This delightful recipe will make dinner tonight light and carefree at your dinner table. It’s quick and perfect after a busy day in the home or at work. This dish is packed with vegetables and would make a fantastic side to your favorite protein.

Minestrone Pasta plated on a white plate.

Easy Minestrone Pasta

CourseMain Dish, Side Dishes

Servings

Easy Minestrone Pasta

CourseMain Dish, Side Dishes

Servings

Ingredients

3 cups whole wheat pasta shells uncooked
2 medium carrots sliced
1 medium bell pepper chopped
1 (15 ounce) can low sodium kidney beans drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can low sodium garbanzo beans drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 ounce) can Italian style stewed tomatoes about 1.75 cups
2/3 cup fat free Italian dressing
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Servings:

Units:

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, and set aside to cool. In a large bowl, add carrots, bell pepper, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and tomatoes.
In a separate small mixing bowl, combine Italian dressing and parmesan cheese.
Add pasta and dressing to vegetables mixture.
Refrigerate for 15 minutes allowing flavors to combine and serve.

Recipe Notes

Chili Mac

July 22, 2015 by Dinner Tonight

All the savory delicious comfort of chili and macaroni and cheese for kids and kids at heart! Chili Mac is the perfect comfort food to make a long day better. Great for dinner or heated up for lunch the next day.

Chili Mac

CourseKid Friendly, Main Dish

Servings	Prep Time
6	10 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Servings	Prep Time
6	10 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Chili Mac

CourseKid Friendly, Main Dish

Servings	Prep Time
6	10 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Servings	Prep Time
6	10 minutes

Cook Time

25 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 lb extra lean ground beef chuck or round
1 small onion chopped
1/2 medium green bell pepper chopped
1 cup elbow macaroni dry
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce unsalted
2 cups water
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup canned, low sodium pinto beans
1/2 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese low sodium

Servings:

Units:

Instructions

Wash your hands and clean your cooking area.
In large skillet, brown the meat.
Drain off any remaining fat.
Add the onions and green peppers to the meat.
Cook for 5 minutes on medium to low heat.
Add remaining ingredients, except cheese.
Cover and cook on low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add cheese and heat until melted.
Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Chili Mac Nutrition Facts Serving size (244g) servings per container 6 Amount per serving Calories 190 % Daily Value Total Fat 4.5 g 6 % Saturated Fat 2 g 10 % Trans Fat 0 g Cholesterol 40 mg 13 % Sodium 380 mg 17 % Total Carbohydrate 21 g 8 % Dietary Fiber 3 g 11 % Total Sugars 3 g Added Sugars 0 g 0 % Protein 18 g Vitamin D 0 mcg 0 % Calcium 125 mg 10 % Iron 3 mg 15 % Potassium 499 mg 10 %

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