Healthy Living & Eating On A Budget: Spring Pasta Medley

Healthy, great tasting meals that won’t blow your budget!

Hays County Food Bank knows that living & eating healthy has been portrayed as unaffordable for families on a budget.

HCFB would like to help you and your family know it doesn’t have to be expensive by giving you recipes that are healthy, great tasting and that won’t blow your budget.

You can find other budget friendly recipes from Hays County Food Bank here.

Spring Pasta Medley w/Breadcrumb Topping

*Recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis: Everyday Italian

Cost Per Serving: $2.05

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. penne pasta
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 lb. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• Salt and pepper
• 3 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 2 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
• Breadcrumb topping

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until al dente (tender, but still firm), about 9 to 11 minutes. Stir occasionally. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
2. Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add the asparagus, season with salt and pepper, and cook for another 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for 2 more minutes.
3. Pour the chicken stock into the pan and bring mixture to a simmer. Cook until the stock is reduced by half (about 3 minutes).
4. Combine asparagus mixture and cooked pasta in a serving bowl. Toss well, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta.
5. Garnish with basil and your homemade breadcrumbs and serve!

Breadcrumb Topping

Ingredients:

• 1/2 loaf of French bread (or any crusty bread), sliced
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 275°F and toast bread for about 10 minutes.
2. Crumble toast by hand or use a food processor.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, seasoning, and salt.
4. Add breadcrumbs to pan and toast for about 2 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are infused with flavors. Be careful not to burn.

Spread breadcrumbs out on a towel to cool and dry.