Healthy Whole Grain Pasta Base Recipe
This is one of the base recipes featured in our Whole Life Meal Plan. This healthy whole grain pasta base recipe is a staple in our kitchens for quick, easy, and nutritious weeknight dinners.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
Base Recipe
- ½ Tablespoon kosher salt
- 8 ounces whole grain pasta
- 1 cup sauce
- 1 cup reserved cooking water
Additions to YOUR taste
- 2 cups vegetables (add ½ cup extra sauce)
- 4 - 8 ounces raw or cooked animal protein (add ¼ cup - ¾ cup extra sauce)
- ½ - 1 ½ cups cooked lentils or beans (add 2 Tbsp - ½ cup extra sauce)
Garnishes to YOUR taste
- Chopped fresh herbs
- Grated or shredded cheese
- Red pepper flakes
- Capers
- Lemon zest
- Drizzle plain or infused extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add salt. (Do not add oil to the water!)
- Add pasta and return to a boil. Cook until al dente, according to package directions.
- While pasta is cooking, sauté or cook any additional ingredients in a 10-12” pan. Add sauce once ingredients are cooked. Bring sauce to a simmer over medium low heat. If not sautéing additional ingredients, bring sauce to a simmer in a 10-12” sauté pan on its own, then add vegetables and/or beans and/or cooked animal protein.
- Drain the pasta, but reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Do not rinse or add oil to the pasta!
- Add pasta directly to the sauce and use tongs to gently combine. Thin sauce with reserved pasta water if needed, adding a little bit at a time (you most likely won’t need the full cup). Sprinkle with optional garnishes to taste. Enjoy!
Notes
Be sure to generously salt the pasta water for the best flavor; this allows the salt to go inside the pasta while cooking. Don’t be scared of the large amount – not all of the sodium is absorbed by the pasta.
Cook the pasta al dente. Al dente translates to “to the tooth”, meaning the pasta should still have a slight bite; it should not be mushy.