Joy Bauer shares flavorful, nutrition-packed pasta recipes
Embrace the pastabilities! These delicious and nutritious pasta dishes will not only excite your palate but nourish your body from head to toe. First, dig into my healthy baked penne alla vodka, where creamy indulgence meets lighter ingredients for a truly magical experience. Next up is my spinach-artichoke dip pasta bake, blending beloved flavors into a satisfying dish that’s as wholesome as it is tasty. And don’t miss my go-to bruschetta pasta salad, which is bursting with fresh ingredients and mouthwatering flare.
Baked Penne alla Vodka
Healthy vodka sauce — yes, please! My reinvented vodka sauce is here to revolutionize your noodle night. I keep the classic essence of the sauce (creamy, dreamy and complete with a splash of booze) but make a few clever tweaks to create a lighter, more nutritious dish that’s also much easier to make. Instead of heavy cream and butter, I use a velvety blend of ricotta cheese and hummus, which adds a rich, smooth texture along with plenty of flavor — especially if you opt for garlic-flavored hummus. The entire sauce comes together effortlessly in a single casserole dish, making it a quick and convenient option for any day of the week. Prepare to impress with a dish that’s as scrumptious as it is satisfying!
Spinach-Artichoke Dip Pasta Bake
Spinach-artichoke dip is a classic that never loses its charm, and I’ve found countless delicious ways to enjoy my lightened-up version, which packs more nutrition and far less calories and saturated fat than the traditional recipe. I love this pasta bake because it features two wonderful veggies — spinach and artichokes — delivering an array of vitamins and a good amount of fiber, too, along with its crave-worthy flavor. Here, I simply bake the dip with juicy cherry tomatoes in the oven; as the tomatoes roast and and meld with the dip, they create the most yummy, savory sauce that perfectly coats every noodle. It’s the ultimate comfort food with a nutritious twist — perfect for any occasion and sure to delight everyone at the table!
Bruschetta Pasta Salad by Joy Bauer
You know what I always say — the more bruschetta, the betta! The traditional version, with its juicy tomatoes, onion and basil on crispy toast, is an all-time favorite. But why stop there? This scrumptious tomato topping can also transform your pasta into something truly spectacular, packing in extra fiber and fresh, fabulous flavor. For even more yum (and extra protein and calcium), add mozzarella balls or a generous sprinkle of Parmesan. Trust me, your taste buds will be doing a happy dance!
This article was originally published on TODAY.com