March 19, 2019

by Olena

Healthy Pasta (Video)

March 19, 2019

by Olena
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★★★★★

4.9 from 21 reviews

Healthy Pasta with broccoli, sun dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and your pasta of choice in 30-ish minutes. Quick, easy and delicious weeknight dinner.

Healthy Pasta

Healthy Pasta Recipe

This healthy pasta is one of the most popular recipes on iFOODreal. And there is a good reason for that – it’s flavorful, veggie packed, cheese-sprinkled for balance and comes together in less than 30 minutes including the prep and clean up.

It is an older recipe with brand new video (hence, different pots), so you can see how easy it is to put together. This vegetarian pesto pasta was delicious!

healthy pasta dishes

Is Pasta Healthy?

Before anyone says anything, yes I know it’s white pasta and it might seem like an oxymoron to show up in “a healthy pasta recipe”. I get you, my friends. Good news is that you can use any pasta you want, ANY. Whole wheat, brown rice, quinoa, kamut, white etc.

Pictured is my kids’ favorite organic Garofalo brand from Costco. It’s one of the best quality pasta I ever tried. So be it, once in a while. Healthy living is about balance and moderation, rather than stress. That’s in my books.:)

How to Make Healthy Pasta

Ingredients for vegetarian pesto pasta
1. Prepare your ingredients. Tomato pesto pasta dish cooks fast, like a stir fry, so timing is everything for the most flavour and an al dente pasta.

Is Pesto Healthy?

Try to find pesto with as less additives as possible. All there is to pesto – olive oil, basil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts and salt. Sun dried tomatoes can be dry or packed in oil.

how to make healthy pasta

2. While pasta is cooking, give your veggies a quick blast on medium-high heat with pesto.

3. Then combine everything. Just watch the video. Easy-peasy.

premade pesto and parmesan cheese for healthy veggie pasta

Parmesan Cheese Hunk Vs. Shaker

And a word on Parmesan cheese. Forego the shaker-faker, it’s full of additives like cellulose (ground wood chips, by the way) and other crap. Buy a hunk of fresh Parmigiano Reggiano at Costco (best price ever => my healthy Costco shopping list) and grate a good amount at a time. Then refrigerate in an airtight container for a few weeks. Freeze the rest of the hunk.

Be healthy!

More Healthy Pasta Dishes to Try:

And may I suggest you look through these 45 dinner ideas?! Wink-wink.

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Healthy Pasta

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★★★★★

4.9 from 21 reviews

Healthy Pasta with broccoli, sun dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and your pasta of choice in 30-ish minutes. Quick, easy and delicious weeknight dinner.

  • Author: Olena of ifoodreal.com
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stove
  • Cuisine: Italian
Scale

Ingredients

  • 2 cups any shape pasta, uncooked
  • 1 cup pasta water, reserved
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp pesto, divided
  • 2 cups grape tomatoes, cut in halves
  • 4 cups broccoli florets, coarsely chopped
  • 1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup (2 oz) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta as per package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, draining the rest. Set aside.
  2. While pasta is cooking, get all ingredients ready. Preheat large deep skillet or a dutch oven on medium heat, add olive oil and garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Add 1 tbsp pesto, tomatoes and stir. Cook for 1 – 2 minutes and stir again. Cook another 1 – 2 minutes. Move to one side of the skillet and make sure the empty side of is positioned directly over heat. Add 1 tbsp pesto and broccoli, stir and cook for 4 minutes, stirring once.
  3. Remove skillet from heat and add remaining 1/4 cup pesto, sun dried tomatoes, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, pasta and pasta water. Stir gently and let flavours marinate for a few minutes. Do not cover because broccoli will become a mushy mess. I also like to add half Parmesan cheese in this step and the other half right before serving. Serve hot.

Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 – 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

★ Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating in the comments.

Recipes and images are a copyright of ifoodreal.com

olena osipov in the studio

Hello and welcome to iFOODreal.

My name is Olena Osipov. I'm a mom to 2 boys and a wife to Alex. And this is our healthy family recipes blog. I grew up in Ukraine on real food. As an adult, I tried many diets without results. Now for over 10 years, I cook quick and easy healthy meals for my family. I can help you with “What’s for dinner?” too.

What You Will Find Here

Healthy family recipes with simple ingredients. Many are inspired by my Ukrainian heritage. I share mostly dinner recipes because it just never ends... I’m obsessed with healthy freezer meals. And more than in love with my Instant Pot.

A Little More About Me

Originally from Ukraine, I now reside on magic Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada with my family. I started this blog in 2012 when I ended up at home with 2 small kids unemployed and a wee bit chubby.

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87 comments on “Healthy Pasta (Video)”

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  4. Awesome. My budding teenager is into healthy eating and it was getting a bit much funding things to suite his palate thanks to this fabulous dish Got the thumbs up from my son . I did not have cherry tomatoes so just used normal tomatoes quartered . Great start simple, healthy and good . Thankyou

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  5. I fudged up the timing on this recipe but it was still delicious! I greatly enjoyed the easiness and the quickness of this recipe, especially as a student who is beginning to meal prep. Excellent combination of spices too! I’ve never cooked with pesto before and was pleasantly surprised. I definitely plan on making this again and trying out variations.

    Thanks so much! 🙂

    ★★★★

    Reply

  6. Thanks for this great recipe! I have a very picky newly-turned teenager and she absolutely loved this. It even went with her to school today for lunch. Granted, she picked out the sun-dried tomatoes but no matter, extra for me! I made the recipe as is for the most part and used a little extra pasta.

    ★★★★★

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  7. Love it! I used chickpea pasta. We are living “plant based” diet and this has lots of flavor and pleases all ages!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  8. This recipe is fantastic! I’m just starting out my diet for the new year and this is an absolute must have dish!! The whole family loves it

    ★★★★★

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  9. Amazing! Even my picky family liked it. Will definitely be making this again as it was quick and easy as well! BONUS!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  10. Ileana, the link is broken for Skillet Greek Sausage Corkscrew Toss, so can you please send me the recipe in full with ingredients and directions? Thank you, Helen Spanopoulos

    Reply

  11. This was easy to make and quite tasty.
    I think it’ll taste even better tomorrow night..

    Thanks for the recipe !!

    ★★★★

    Reply

  12. According to my husband this was one of the best pastas he ever had. I used what I had on hand in the fridge. Instead of broccoli I used bell peppers and mushrooms. I’ll definitely make this recipe again. Thanks again for another great recipe.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  13. Hi, Olena, sounds like a great recipe!… If I use frozen broccoli, do I reduce the cooking time, and do I defrost it first? Thanks!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    1. Because at the time we added this nutritional info, the app we use didn’t show Fiber by default. Once we turned it on, it shows for newer recipes but for older ones I have to go turn it on manually for each which is not happenning for 500 recipes.

      Reply

  15. Absolutely the BEST!!! We added cubed cooked chicken. Cooked in skillet with butter and seasoned salt and garlic powder.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  16. I’m ADDICTED – to your website, that is!!! (smiling emoji) Seriously, I made this today after making your Chickpea Avocado Salad yesterday (and not to mention I was at a function & bragged about the salad/refreshing, etc.! I even showed them the photo from your site… more viewers for you & recipes to be made. My husband & I are “pasta” lovers & could eat it almost every day… healthy ways to cook it is what it’s all about!! Healthy eating!
    Olena. I love your site & recipes! Oh, and by the way, love your new studio, too! All the best to you.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    1. Lol that’s a good addiction. Haha, thanks for bragging. I so appreciate it. Thank you so much for all your kind words!!! If you love pasta that much, try my new recipe – meat sauce. Making video for it this week.:)

      Reply

  17. Made it today with Whole wheat noodles and it was great. The burst of flavors when you’re eating it is amazing. My 3 year old gave it two thumbs up.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  18. Been searching around for new recipes to try out to start eating healthier, this was the first that caught my eye. Finally got around to making it tonight with a whole grain Rotini and it was amazing!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  19. Very good! Not heavy, fresh and filling. Quick and easy was a bonus. Looks just like the picture. My kids (1 and 2) even liked it! I would chop sun dried tomatoes to give a more even mixture. I just wrote the recipe down and am adding to my box.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  20. This was AMAZING! I wanted to make it even healthier by getting veggie pasta. Also added caprese flavored chicken sausage for some extra protein. Was the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth and I cannot believe I made it myself! Thanks to this recipe ofcourse! So thankful for the extra detail in the recipe steps because I need it!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

  25. Hi, I’m looking at your recipe for my parenting and child development class this week. We’re doing healthy foods for pregnant women, I was wondering is this a good meal and can you add chicken breast, if so how much?

    Reply

  27. It was very easy to make and tasted very good, I used all organic vegetables and brown rice pasta. I added in some chopped walnuts in for some crunch which tasted amazing.

    Reply

  29. I made this for dinner last night and, oh my goodness, so yummy!! I used bow tie pasta, frozen broccoli, and a few pieces of chicken for added protein. This was seriously one of the best meals I’ve had in a while. And the best part is it is healthy and loaded with veggies! Thank you Olena. Your recipes are awesome. ?

    Reply

  30. Hi…i cooked this dish today and followed the recipe to a tee. Im eating it now…very delicious…i was concerned about the broccoli but it was cooked perfect. Thank you!

    Reply

    1. Hi Peter. Yay! You shouldn’t be concerned about broccoli because you can eat it raw. I would only be concerned to overcook it which isn’t possible with the little cooking time I recommend.

      Reply

  31. Hi Olena,
    I enjoy your blog and your recipes so much, and I share them on (the dreaded) Facebook on my Fitness page often. I have always loved pasta and it is the one thing I have refused to convert completely to whole grain as I have improved my nutrition. It just isn’t the same! It was fate that brought this recipe to my email inbox as I sat down at my desk to eat my own dish of radiatore pasta with cherub tomatoes, spinach, fresh basil, and mushrooms. It’s so nice to see a healthfood blogger who doesn’t condemn white pasta. I eat mostly whole grains, and I keep my carb servings small – usually 1/2 cup (unlike when I was younger and inhaled piles and piles of it). But I don’t see anything wrong with having white pasta as a treat. Oh – and I also have had a similar journey to yours with pesto. I recently bought it to serve over pasta with shrimp that I found on sale (typically very expensive in Pittsburgh) as a treat for my husband. I stopped buying it years ago, even though I LOVE it, because it is so heavy on calories. I’ve decided to allow it back into my life once more. As a fitness coach and mom, I am also working up to blogging regularly, and yours serves as inspiration and guidance. I set up my blog page months ago, and it has collected dust ever since. Would love to change that! Thanks for your free thinking, your authenticity, and your love of flavor!
    Margie Young,
    Pittsburgh, PA

    Reply

    1. Hi Margie. You have brightened my Canada Day even more! As I mature and become a more seasoned parent, wife and human being in general, I find inner piece and balance quite important. I find myself less and less involved in drama and black and white stuff. So, yes white pasta is OK as a treat. Organic preferable when I buy it. At a restaurant I won’t forbid my kids to order white pasta once a month. I am honestly over with extremes because that life is not real.
      I will try to stay true to myself as much as possible because that is what makes blogging fun. If blogging inspires you then do it. If reading other blogs inspires you then do it. If you don’t feel like working out for a week don’t do it. Whatever makes you happy. Have a great weekend! xoxo

      Reply

  32. Hi there, first timer here, saw this on Pinterest thought looked so tasty so making it tonight for dinner, thank you for sharing. Also have you thought of making your own pesto, look at anoregoncottage.com I freeze mine and it’s not too fiddly to make. It tastes unbelievably good and Jami uses sunflower seeds which makes it cheaper to make. Only has in it what you put in. I top mine with olive oil as she suggests and it stays a beautiful bright green. After you’ve made it once, there’s no going back!

    Reply

    1. Thank you! I started to think about that because my basil plant is going crazy which is a good thing. I will definitely do that this summer! I miss quality pesto in winter.

      Reply

  33. We love this!! I want to make and freeze it for a family with a new baby – how do you suggest it be re-heated? (Baked, thawed and microwaved???). Thanks for the yumminess!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Barbara. Yes, fully cooked, thawed and microwaved. They would really appreciate it. I remember being so hungry while breastfeeding and having no time to cook. First time I had time and energy though to stock my freezer with cooked meals. It was a blessing.

      Reply

  35. When I entered this recipe fir calculation of smart points, it came out to 10 smart points per serving. Not as low fat as I wanted. I’m going to to eliminate the olive oil as unnecessary and reduce the amount of sundried tomatoes to 3 tbsp and the parmesan cheese to a fat free variety to see if that makes a difference.

    Reply

    1. You know, you could do that but fats are not our enemy. Healthy plant-based fats like olive oil and even grass fed organic butter in moderation. Fat doesn’t make us fat. But it is up to you. Look it up.

      Reply

  38. First off – this looks awesome! Can’t wait to make it.

    Only thing that seems strange is your idea of healthy. Seems oils and fats are bad (which is not true), and if it were whole wheat pasta it would be good. The reality is that any flour or grain is a heavy carb that spikes insulin. So don’t hold back on the pesto, hold back on the pasta if you want it be healthy! 🙂

    Reply

    1. Hi John. I do not think fats are bad. I don’t say it anywhere other the contrary. Especially plant based fats. Secondly, I cook 95% with whole wheat pasta. I explained in the post I used plain white organic pasta for this recipe because my kids like this shape and I can’t find it whole wheat. I do allow them it as a treat. So I think my idea of healthy is similar to yours. Glad to hear some people understand what healthy is! Because as I learnt many have their own understanding of healthy. Enjoy the recipe.

      Reply

  39. Thank you! It turned out great. I added some spinach in while the broccoli was cooking and added more pesto. This is a great recipe. Thank you!

    Reply

  40. I’m wondering if I could serve this cold. I have been pre-cooking dinners in the a.m since it has been very warm.

    Reply

  42. This recipe is so quick, easy, and delicious! I made it twice in the past week. I leave out the sundried tomatoes because I don’t like them. Next time I may take the commenter’s suggestion of putting broccoli in first, but the cooked tomatoes and pasta water mix nicely together to make a sauce. Thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply

  44. nade this recipe just this evening and both my wife and I absolutely loved it. My one suggestion would be to sauté the broccoli first and add all the remaining ingredients prior to adding the tomatoes. Adding tomatoes to cooked food is all it takes to blister them and it keeps them from overcooking and becoming mushy. Otherwise I think the recipe is brilliant.

    Reply

  45. I’m confused about the 1/4 cup of pesto. I see where the 2 tbsp are added but do not see in the directions where the additional 1/4 cup is added. Thank you!

    Reply

        1. At my local farm market/small grocery store. I just went through many labels at each store until I found one. I live in Vancouver, BC and it’s our local company so unless you live where I live my store location won’t be helpful to you. Also check out health and organic stores and local farm markets. There are often Italian brands without preservatives. Italian deli and markets are a good place too.

          Reply

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