Pasta is one of the easiest foods to make and always tastes great. Grains are an essential part of a healthy diet and have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, and other health problems.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that at least half of the grains eaten in a day should be whole grains because they are the healthiest kinds of grains. This recipe uses whole wheat pasta, which can be found at almost any grocery store.
Pesto Pasta with Chicken
Serves 8
Ingredients:
- 1 (16 ounce) package whole wheat rotini pasta
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- Crushed red pepper flakes to taste
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, cut into halves
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
Preparation:
- Bring a large pot of slightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 7 to 9 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic until tender, then stir in chicken. Season with red pepper flakes. Cook until chicken is golden, and cooked through.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, grape tomatoes, and pesto. Toss to coat evenly.
To show off your creation, take a picture and upload it to Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #healthypsu. Your picture could become the featured image!
About the Blogger
Samantha Schwartz is a Penn State senior studying public relations. She is interning atPenn State University Health Services, assisting with the Healthy Penn State initiative.