Healthy Holiday Alternatives with Barilla

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group and Barilla however all of the below opinions are my own. #pmedia #pastanight http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

I am constantly searching for healthy alternatives for my favorite comfort dishes.

A little known fact? I grew up in an Italian family. So my love of pasta needs no explanation.

When I found out Barilla was now offering Whole Grain, Vegetable, Plus and White Fiber options via their Better For You line at my local Stop & Shop, I could not sample several quick enough!

These pastas deliver all of the same deliciousness and satisfaction of the previous Barilla pastas you enjoyed, now with added protein, fiber and ALA omega-3s.

When a craving calls for a bowl of carbs, I tend to lean towards the simplest dishes possible.

The ingredients; preservative and salt free, do not detract from the most important part, the pasta!

The Veggie Rotini that I selected contains an entire serving of vegetables in each 3.5 oz.

Cue applause from Mom’s who have a hard time hiding vegetables on their childrens plates.

In this dish I used:

8 ounces of Barilla’s Veggie Rotini Pasta

Pasta sauce to taste (I prefer a light coating)

2 medium vine-ripened organic tomatoes, diced

1 small white onion, diced extra fine

2 teaspoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon of oregano

1/2 teaspoon of fresh cracked pepper

After cooking the rotini to firm perfection (choose to subtract or add a minute depending on preference), I coat lightly with olive oil before adding in the sauteed vegetables.

The onions are sauteed until on the verge of transparency.

Lastly I season to taste with the minced garlic, oregano and pepper; usually going a bit heavy on the pepper though many others prefer a bit of salt and liberal sprinkling of cheese (both are currently not permitted by me during the week.)

Which Better For You pasta would you most like to try?