I make some version of this recipe (or Speedy Chickpea Pasta) every single week.
$-Savvy – It’s super quick n’ easy, yummy, nourishing and CHEAP. The variations are ENDLESS.
THREE TIPS FOR $-SAVVY SUCCESS:
| TIP | HOW TO… |
| Use what you’ve Already Got! | Mix n’ Match whatever veggies, olives and cheese you have on hand. For the apprehensive cook: try a bite of cheese w/ an olive or two as a “taste test” if you’re concerned about clashing flavors.) |
| Stock pile a couple Pastas in your pantry. | We love Barilla and Trader Joe’s Brands. (TJ’s is organic!) Seasonally, Aldi carries a yummy organic chickpea-lentil pasta as well. This way you’re ALWAYS armed for dinner even without hitting the store. |
| Buy-up Spices & Sauces during sales | … Yet another great way to add a refreshing twist on a familiar pasta. Aim for herb-based, non-salty spices & sauces with no sugar added. Pesto or a basil plant can help make room for easy creativity in the kitchen. Spices and Sauces can be expensive. Go coupon-clipping and stock up. If you’re not critically concerned about flavor or whether the spice is organic — consider keeping old spice containers and filling them with the bulk version of that spice for additional savings. Glass containers are pretty forgiving and can be washed to hold a different spice. Need a label? DIY tape labels are quick and cheap. Otherwise: Trader Joe’s is affordable with a solid selection and fun seasonal spices for typically less than $2 each (usually > 2 oz containers!) |
Need more creative ideas for pasta dinners? Look no further.
Speedy Lentil Pasta
Servings: 5 people
Calories: 494kcal
Cost: $1.56
A weekly pasta staple! It's colorful, flavorful, super easy, healthy and yummy for kiddos too!
Print Recipe
Equipment
- large pot, knife, cutting board, steamer or pot with a steamer insert, stove, large bowl or corning ware, spoon
Ingredients
- 8.8 oz Red Lentil Rotini Barilla or Trader Joe's
- 5 cups Organic Broccoli chopped
- 20 each Kalamata Olives
- 3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil we like California Olive Ranch
- 1 tbsp White Wine Vinegar or more
- 2 oz Goat Cheese
- ½ tsp Thyme ground
- ½ tsp Rosemary crushed
- 1.5 tsp Black Peppercorn fresh ground
Sides
- 5 slices Rudi's Gluten Free Multi-Grain Bread or our Keto Bread-sticks
- 1 oz Pecorino Romano Cheese
- 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil we like California Olive Ranch
Instructions
- In large pot, bring water to a boil and then add (one 8.8oz box) of pasta — cook per package instructions. Note: if you're using Banza brand – it seems to cook faster than Barilla. I suggest rinsing the noodles a minute or more before suggested cook time. Know your stove!
- Rinse the noodles under cold running water, drain and add to your bowl or Corning ware. (I typically need 1 large and 1 medium Corning ware containers). Mix in the olive oil, white wine vinegar, and seasonings to coat and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking: Cut your fresh broccoli to your liking, or unpack your frozen broccoli into a steamer or to a pot with 1 inch of water and a steamer insert. Cook for about 4 minutes, strain, and add to the pasta. Note: when I use frozen broccoli cuts, I will sometimes cut the broccoli into smaller pieces after I'm done cooking it. For a softer veggie, steam a bit longer.
- While the broccoli is cooking: (see a time-saving trend here? #timers) slice your olives to your liking. I prefer two cuts short-wise into 3 small pieces, or long-wise in half. Add to your pasta and toss together.
- Sprinkle the 2oz of grated Pecorino or crumbled goat cheese on top, or mix into the pasta. The MAIN dish is now complete!
Side
- Toast the bread and brush with olive oil. Then, spread the goat cheese on, or sprinkle grated pecorino cheese on top. If you want to melt the cheese after toasting the bread (and you don't have a toaster oven), simply place the cheese bread into a pan, cover with a lid and cook on very low heat until ready.
Notes
WHOLE RECIPE:
Total Calories – 2,530. Total Cost – $9.30 . Grade – A . *Monthly Cost – $421
Programming Notes:
- This can be made into a vegan meal by substituting in vegan cheese.
- The white wine vinegar is a low-cost healthy trick for adding a salty flavor without adding a bunch of sodium. Feel free to add more if it suits your taste buds!
- If you’re concerned about sodium content, consider decreasing the number of olives to half and switching to black olives. Check the package ingredient list – olives in water have less salt than in a brine solution. Be sure to rinse thoroughly before use.
- Nutrition Facts Panel below includes calories & data from the side dish listed on the recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Speedy Lentil Pasta
Amount Per Serving
Calories 494
Calories from Fat 207
% Daily Value*
Fat 23g35%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 355mg15%
Potassium 761mg22%
Carbohydrates 57g19%
Fiber 11g46%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 808IU16%
Vitamin C 81mg98%
Calcium 162mg16%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Here’s a shortcut link to our Keto Breadsticks!
Here’s a table with external links for each recipe ingredient (plus a few alternate ingredient ideas). As previously mentioned, prices vary per region, season, city, store and personal preference for brand or specific type of food item.
| Barilla Chickpea Rotini | Organic Beet Greens | Grass Fed/Finished Ground Beef |
| Barilla Red Lentil Penne (or TJ’s 12oz Sedanini) | Organic Broccoli Cuts (Clean 15) | Free Range Chicken/ Turkey/ Costco or Sam’s Club $5 chicken |
| Kalamata Olives (this is usually a slightly smaller glass jar for ~$7) | Bell Peppers | Goat Cheese (Costco- best deal or Sam’s or TJ’s) |
| Black Olives or Sam’s Club bulk | Large Organic Carrots | Pecorino Romano Cheese (or Sam’s) Il Forteto brand has WAY less Sodium |
| Green Olives | Organic Spinach | Daiya Cheddar Vegan Cheese |
| Extra Virgin Olive Oil (organic) | Cauliflower Florets (clean 15) | Garlic Powder (organic) |
| White Wine Vinegar | Shallots | Chopped Garlic |
| White Balsamic Vinegar | Onion | Rosemary |
| Nutritional Yeast (as part of the dish or on toast) | Smoked Paprika (or TJ’s) | Thyme |
| Coconut Oil (extra virgin) | 21 Seasoning Salute (TJ’s) or THIS (organic) | Black Peppercorn |
