Whole Grain Penne With Artichoke Zucchini Food

ONE-POT PENNE WITH ZUCCHINI AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Shred zucchini on the large holes of a box grater. (You should have about 4 cups.) Toss with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a colander set over a bowl. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta in a pot of generously salted boiling water until al dente. Drain pasta directly over zucchini in colander set in sink. Transfer both to pot; toss with olive oil, Parmesan, garlic, and red-pepper flakes. Season with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. Serve, dressed with more oil and cheese.

WHOLE-WHEAT PENNE WITH SAUSAGE, CHARD, AND ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Set a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking sausage into pieces, until cooked through and lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Add remaining oil, chard stems, artichoke hearts, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook until chard stems soften slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Add chard leaves and cook, stirring, until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add pasta to boiling water; cook until 2 minutes short of al dente. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook 2 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain pasta; return to pot.
• Pour half of reserved pasta water into a small bowl. Add tomato paste and whisk to combine. Add tomato paste mixture, sausage mixture, Parmesan, basil, and red pepper flakes to pasta in pot. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper.

BAKED WHOLE GRAIN PENNE WITH FALL VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Pulse walnuts, parsley and parmesan in a food processor until they look like bread crumbs.
• Melt the butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, and squash and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour, sage, and nutmeg. Reduce heat add gradually add broth and milk. Simmer, stirring, until thickened, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and remove from heat.
• Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain. Combine pasta with the vegetables and mozzarella. Pour into a 9 by 13-inch casserole. Sprinkle with the walnut topping. Bake until the top is golden, about 25 minutes. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE BAKED WHOLE GRAIN PASTA

Steps:

• Position the oven rack in center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Defrost the spinach in the microwave. Drain, then dry the spinach out as much as possible by wringing it out in a clean kitchen towel.
• Bring a saucepot of water to a boil. Add salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions for al dente.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a small skillet over medium to medium-high heat and add the shallots and garlic and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add the artichokes and cook until they are lightly brown. Add the wine to deglaze the pan.
• While the artichokes and pasta cook, in a saucepot over medium to medium-high heat, add the butter. When melted, whisk in the flour for 1 minute or so, then whisk in the milk and season with salt, pepper and a little nutmeg. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, adjust the seasonings and stir in the Gruyere cheese. Combine the sauce with the spinach, pasta, and artichoke and stir until just combined. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and cover with the remaining cheese. Cool and store for a make-ahead meal.
• Bake on a baking sheet 45 minutes or until brown and bubbly on top.

WHOLE GRAIN PENNE WITH ARTICHOKE & ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a saute pan and lightly saute the onion and zucchini. Cook till the zucchini is tender.
• Add the garlic and saute for another minute.
• Add the defrosted artichoke hearts and the wine.
• Simmer for a few more minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the penne according to the package directions.
• Drain and add the penne or pasta to the veggies.
• Sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
• Makes 2 servings.

WHOLE-WHEAT PENNE WITH SAUSAGE, CHARD, AND ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Set a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta. Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add sausage and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking sausage into pieces, until cooked through and lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Add remaining oil, chard stems, artichoke hearts, and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook until chard stems soften slightly, 3 to 5 minutes. Add chard leaves and cook, stirring, until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add pasta to boiling water; cook until 2 minutes short of al dente. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cook 2 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water and drain pasta; return to pot.
• Pour half of reserved pasta water into a small bowl. Add tomato paste and whisk to combine. Add tomato paste mixture, sausage mixture, Parmesan, basil, and red pepper flakes to pasta in pot. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water if necessary. Season with salt and pepper.

PENNE WITH CHICKEN AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to the package directions.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add the garlic and chicken cubes. Saute until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a bowl and set aside.
• Pour the wine into the skillet and allow it to boil briefly, while scraping the brown bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon. Add the artichokes, dried tomatoes, green onions, and lemon zest. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes, stirring gently from time to time.
• Return the chicken to the skillet, add the cheese, and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the sauce to a large serving bowl; add the drained cooked pasta and the basil and toss to combine well. Serve immediately in large, shallow bowls. Pass additional grated cheese at the table.