No matter how many healthy, easy dinner ideas we have in our repertoire, we’re always in need of another. Here’s our newest idea for loading up on good stuff: meet this Vegetable Pasta! It’s a combination between cozy comfort food and a vegetable-powered healthy meal, pairing roasted vegetables with bright marinara and Parmesan cheese. Here’s how to make this tasty vegetarian pasta!
Elements in this vegetable pasta
This vegetable pasta is the best combination of loads of veggies and the homey feel of a great spaghetti marinara. For the veggies, we wanted to select colorful vegetables with peak nutrition. Here’s what you’ll need (though of course, you can substitute any of your favorite veggies):
CauliflowerBroccoliBell peppers (red and yellow)Onion
This vegetable pasta is full of Vitamin C! Half of a bell pepper provides 84% of your daily vitamin C, and one serving of cauliflower has 77%: not to mention other nutrients and vitamins. It’s a great way to eat your veggies while slurping up a bowl of pasta. (See more at Bell pepper nutrition and Cauliflower nutrition).
More vegetables to add
Many different types of vegetables work in this vegetable pasta recipe! You can add about another 8 ounces of veggies to the quantities in the recipe below. But keep in mind: the quantity is important. You’ll need to divide it all the veggies between two baking sheets without stacking them (otherwise the veggies steam instead of roasting). Here are some other vegetables that would taste great here:
Mushrooms (add 8 ounces to the other vegetable quantities below)Brussels sprouts, cut in halfSweet potatoes, chopped into cubesGreen beansAsparagus
Protein adders for vegetable pasta
This vegetable pasta recipe is a tasty dinner idea for when you want to infuse veggies into your life. But keep in mind: you’ll need to supplement it with some protein for a filling meal. Here are some ideas for what you can add, either in the pasta itself or on the side:
Chickpeas: make these Easy Chickpeas while the veggies roastWhite beans: make these Easy White BeansEdamame: try this Skillet EdamameGoat cheese: stir in 2 to 4 ounces goat cheese for a creamy sauceShrimp: make Sautéed ShrimpChicken: add cooked chickenVegan meatballs: add these protein-packed Vegan Meatballs
Tips for cooking pasta to al dente
The key to this roasted vegetable pasta recipe, outside of the veggies? Cooking the pasta to the perfect al dente. Al dente means “to the bite” in Italian: pasta that’s tender with a firm center. Overcooked pasta turns out rubbery and unappetizing: and it actually has less nutrients and makes you less full! Here are some tips on how to cook pasta to al dente:
Set your timer a few minutes before the package instructions indicate. The timing on many pasta packages makes for overcooked pasta. Start taste testing the pasta a few minutes before the package says to.Taste test and look for small white fleck at the core. You want to catch it right when there’s a small white fleck at the core, or just when it disappears. Move quickly: pasta can go from al dente to overcooked in a matter of seconds!
Vegan variation
How to serve this vegetable pasta as vegan? There’s one easy swap: omit the Parmesan cheese or use this homemade Vegan Parmesan! It’s made with cashews, garlic powder and nutritional yeast, and it adds a nice boost of savory flavor. It’s not required here, but it does elevate the recipe.
More vegetable pasta recipes
There are so many tasty ways to add veggies to your pasta! Here are some great pasta recipes that make healthy dinner ideas:
Opt for fan favorite Roasted Eggplant PastaGo simple with Lemon Ricotta PastaTry Cherry Tomato PastaGo for Pasta PrimaveraTry Creamy Cavatappi Pasta with cauliflower sauceOpt for Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta
This roasted vegetable pasta recipe is…
Vegetarian. For vegan, plant-based and dairy-free, omit the Parmesan cheese or use Vegan Parmesan. No reviews
