Zucchini Pasta Bowl

If you were to walk into Noodles & Co. and order something off their menu (unless it's the Kid's Menu), it will more than likely come as a huge portion loaded with calories, and therefore WW Points Plus (yeah, even the small bowls are loaded with calories... maybe it's because I always fall prey to their awesome Wisconsin Mac & Cheese). 

Or, you can save yourself some cash and make your own healthier pasta dish at home for around 400 calories. Win.

CREDIT

This dish is living proof that cooking is about 80% presentation (mind you 4 out of 5 statistics are made up on the spot... and 4 out of 5 dentists would recommend Colgate toothpaste). While I didn't really do anything "special" with this dish, presentation CAN change the way that someone perceives what they are eating. My family almost always used to make simple spaghetti, put beef in a pan, add sauce, top it over spaghetti, and put a veggie on the side of the plate. If you grew up in any American household that ate pasta, you know what I'm talking about (if not, look to your right).

But when you cook healthier spaghetti (Barilla Plus offers versions with a bit more protein from lentils, beans, etc), use no sugar-added sauce, substitute the meat for ground turkey, and add some veggies (and mix it all together in a bowl) you get a whole new ball game. The dinner magically becomes healthier for you and looks a bit more fancy in the process. Not only does what you're eating LOOK good, but it TASTES good, too!

ZUCCHINI PASTA BOWL

Servings: Depends on amount of pasta made (assume about 2 oz/person)... 1 bowl = 1 person

Nutritional Information:

WW Points Plus: 9+ per bowl 

(1 c cooked pasta, 1/2 cup sauce, 2 oz ground turkey, cup of zucchini, 2.5 TBSP Parmesan cheese)

Ingredients:

• Barilla Plus Spaghetti
• Light Ragu (No-Sugar Added) Pasta Sauce
• Lean Ground Turkey
• Zucchini (I used three)
• Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Boil water and cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Heat ground turkey on the stove until brown, adding sauce when cooked (I actually kept them separate for measuring purposes so I knew the portions of what I was eating).
3. Cut up zucchini and cook over the stove until tender.
4. Add 1 cup of pasta, 1/2 cup of sauce, about 2 oz of meat, and 1 cup of zucchini to a small bowl. Top with some Parmesan cheese and stir.
5. Done! As my piano teacher used to say, "easy as cake." Okay, not really... but did some one say cake? Hmmm... sounds like it's time for some Almond Cupcakes. Enjoy!