Hearty and Healthy Pasta Bowls

Serves 6-8

Hearty and Healthy Pasta Bowls

In this wholesome recipe, fresh vegetables combine with high-protein ground beef to create a hearty, yet healthy take on a classic pasta-sauce combination. Whole grain pasta is used in place of an enriched macaroni product so your family receives all of the nutrients grains should contain.

Ingredients

  • Cooking oil
  • ½ yellow onion, finely diced
  • ½ a zucchini, finely chopped
  • ½ bag of shredded carrots, finely chopped
  • ½ red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp. garlic
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 lbs. ground beef
  • 1 bottle healthy tomato pasta sauce
  • 1 box whole wheat pasta

Note: For picky eaters, use a hand grater or a food processor to make the veggies less noticeable. 

ingredients

Directions

1. Prepare the ingredients

  • Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling on high.
  • Finely dice the onion and shredded carrots.
  • Chop the zucchini and bell pepper.

2. Cook pasta

  • Add the pasta to boiling water.
  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
  • Strain the pasta once it is cooked and set it aside.

3. Cook the ground beef and onions

  • While the pasta is cooking, heat 1-1 ½ tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
  • Cook the ground beef and onions and cook until the onions are almost translucent.

4. Sauté the veggies with the meat

  • Add the zucchini, bell pepper, and carrots to the pan.
  • Cook all of the contents in the pan until the zucchini and bell pepper are both soft.

5. Add the sauce

  • Mix the pasta sauce into the pan of meat and vegetables.

6. Servce pasta topped with sauce

step 1 preparing steps 2 and 3 preparing
step 4 preparing step 5 preparingstep 6 preparing

Tasks for Helping Hands:

  • Chopping the vegetables
  • Watching for the water to boil
  • Stirring the sauce

Authors

Carrie Durward, PhD, RD, Sydney Mason, and Chelsey Mickelson

Carrie Durward

Carrie Durward

Nutrition Specialist

NDFS Dept

Phone: (435) 797-5843
Office Location: Logan Campus | NFS 113
 

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