Perfect Pasta

Angel hair, elbows, rotini, oh my! Pasta
comes in many different shapes and sizes (over 150!) and can be paired with an
endless variety of foods. Check out these fun ideas to make your next pasta
dish perfect:

Plan for Pasta

Pasta can easily be made ahead of time and
reheated at mealtime. Want to avoid sticky pasta? Be sure to stir often when
boiling and, when fully cooked, rinse with cold water after draining. For a
quick and easy dinner, cook ground meat and veggies like zucchini, onion, and
bell pepper with a jar of pasta sauce. Mix with your reheated pasta and enjoy!

Make a Meal

Pasta salad can make a full meal. Get your grain
on with chilled cooked pasta, add raw veggies like carrots, cucumbers chunks,
and tomatoes. Top with shredded cheese, cooked chicken, or hard boiled eggs and
finish it off with a light vinaigrette dressing. Try making Chicken
Club Salad, Garden
Vegetable Salad, or Confetti
Spaghetti for your next meal.

Crazy for Casseroles

Have some leftovers that you don’t know what to
do with? Toss extra pasta, chicken, and veggies into a casserole dish with 4
tablespoons of flour along with your favorite seasonings. Add in 2 cups of
broth and bake at 350 degrees until the liquid thickens. Top with low-fat
cheese and bake again until brown. Or try our Chicken
and Kale Casserole if you need a simple
and tasty meal idea.

Tip: Make it Whole

Use whole grain pasta when you can.  Try to
make at least half of your grains whole grains. Whole grains are a great source
of fiber, B vitamins, and minerals and can help with heart health and
digestion.