Meatless Monday with Giada De Laurentis and Pasta Primavera

Welcome back on Meatless Monday – this week we’re featuring popular Food Network host Giada De Laurentis.  Meatless Monday supports healthy eating and a healthier planet by suggesting people opt for plant-based meals one day a week.  The health benefits of Meatless Monday help reduce risk of heart disease, help you maintain a healthy weight while improving the quality of your overall diet.  But Meatless Monday also benefits the environment by reducing your carbon footprint, minimizing water usage and helping to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel.

This week, Giada De Laurentis, popular chef and host on the Food Network, entices us with another of her Italian specialties:  pasta primavera.
Pasta Primavera (Cook time: 20 minutes, 6 servings)
Ingredients:

• 3 carrots, peeled and cut into thin strips
• 2 medium zucchini or 1 large zucchini, cut into thin strips
• 2 yellow squash, cut into thin strips
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs or herbes de Provence
• 1 pound farfalle (bowtie pasta)
• 15 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
2. On a large heavy baking sheet, toss all of the vegetables with the oil, salt, pepper, and dried herbs to coat. Transfer half of the vegetable mixture to another heavy large baking sheet and arrange evenly over the baking sheets. Bake until the carrots are tender and the vegetables begin to brown, stirring after the first 10 minutes, about 20 minutes total.
3. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente, tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
4. Toss the pasta with the vegetable mixtures in a large bowl to combine. Toss with the cherry tomatoes and enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and serve immediately.

Thanks Giada for another tasty meat-free alternative meal.  To learn more about how you can support Meatless Monday visit meatlessmonday.com.  Bon appétit!