Fireside High Protein Pasta (Printable)
Hearty pasta packed with lean protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and robust Italian-inspired flavors for cozy meals.
# List of ingredients:
→ Pasta
01 - 10.5 oz high-protein pasta (lentil or chickpea-based)
→ Protein
02 - 12 oz cooked chicken breast, diced
03 - 7 oz canned white beans, drained and rinsed
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
06 - 5 oz baby spinach
07 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce & Seasoning
09 - 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes
10 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
11 - 1 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1 tsp dried basil
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/4 tsp chili flakes
15 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
16 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Garnish
17 - 1 oz grated Parmesan cheese
18 - Fresh basil leaves
# Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the high-protein pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped red onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
03 - Add diced red bell pepper and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften and develop slight color.
04 - Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, smoked paprika, and chili flakes. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
05 - Add diced chicken breast and drained white beans to the sauce. Simmer for another 5 minutes until everything is heated through and proteins are fully incorporated.
06 - Fold in baby spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until just wilted. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss gently until well coated with sauce. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The protein hits different when its folded into a rich tomato sauce instead of served plain on the side
- Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to really settle in and become friends
02 -
- High-protein pasta releases more starch into the water than regular pasta, so your pasta water will look cloudy and that's completely normal
- Let the sauce rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving, which gives it time to thicken slightly and the flavors time to meld
03 -
- Save a cup of pasta water before draining and add a splash if your sauce seems too thick or dry
- Grate your Parmesan fresh instead of buying pre-grated, the texture and flavor difference is remarkable