It’s meatless Monday! I love… love… love… this dish and what makes it even better is so does my family! Even the pickiest of my eaters gobbled this down. Like gobbled, then asked for seconds, then gobbled again.
It is also super easy and healthy! It takes 15-20 minutes tops! You really can’t beat that for a healthy dinner entree.
What you will need are 3-4 medium zucchini (you want around 3 cups chopped), 4 juicy tomatoes (you want about 1 1/2 cups), 5 cloves garlic, garlic and herb seasoning (I use spice Island brand) Red or green Lentil Penne Pasta (about 10 ounces, mine was 9.6), olive oil, fresh or dried basil.
Prepare pasta according to the package instructions, drain and set aside.
Chop all the vegetables, then cook in some olive oil over medium high heat until the zucchini is soft and the tomatoes turn into tomato-ey goodness. Add cooked pasta and basil, stir and eat! I of course have to add Parmesan cheese because that’s my jam.
Funny story about the Parmesan actually, I grated some on a dish then it was suddenly gone. I felt like a crazy woman as I searched high and low for my precious wedge. I seriously COULD NOT figure it out! Then, I looked out the back door and saw my 2 year old gnawing away on my Parmesan wedge, while standing in the yard. I had to go pry it from her fingers. Apparently, my love for Parmesan passed onto her.
Italian Garden Vegetable Lentil Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 9-10 ounce Bag of Green Lentil Penne
- 3 Cups zucchini Diced
- 2 Cups Tomatos
- 5 Cloves Garlic Cloves minced
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic and Herb seasoning
- 2 Tablespooons olive oil
- 1/8 cup Fresh Basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Chop your zucchini and tomatoes into bite sized chunks. Mince garlic. Slice basil leaves into small bits.
- Heat pan on medium high heat and add olive oil and Garlic, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Garlic and herb seasoning, salt and stir until softened, about 5-6 minutes.
- Added drained pasta to the vegetable pan along with fresh or dried basil. Stir well until everything is well combined.
- Optional* top with parmesean cheese.