• Home
  • play
    • sensory play
    • arts & crafts
    • water play
    • baby
    • toddler
    • big kids
    • weekly playlist
  • learn
    • colors
    • numbers
    • sensory
    • my first sensory bins
  • Photography
  • Celebrate
    • spring
    • summer
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Mother’s Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • family
    • parenting
    • places to go
    • recipes
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Plain Vanilla Mom

Whole Wheat Rotini w/ Roasted Zucchini – #FallForFlavor

in family, recipes on 07/09/15

This post is sponsored by Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade pasta sauces. That said, my love for pasta sauce and wholesome real food is all my own.

With school starting and fall knocking on the door, our routines and schedules have begun to shift with the seasons.  I always look forward to fall. The kids are back in school, the air is cooler and crisper, schedules are busier (but at least we are back on one) and it seems at this time of year family dinners become just a little more special don’t they? The whole family gathering around the table in the evening is a great way for everyone to reconnect after a busy day at work, school or wherever.

Whole Wheat Rotini with Roasted Zucchini and Mezzetta Pasta Sauce with Text

Getting everyone around the table at the same time however can be a challenge. Our kids range in age from 2yrs old to 11 and hubby often doesn’t get home from work until the littlest guys are ready for bed. While we usually  eat together on the weekends, weeknights are harder so right now my goal is to make sure we have at least one weeknight meal all together. Hubby does his part to get home in time and I do my part to keep dinner simple and on the table quickly while keeping it to something that the whole family will eat. My go to meal for these dinners is typically pasta because well….1. it’s simple, 2. everyone seems to like it, and 3. it can be made quickly.  Where am I going with this? Well I’m glad you asked 🙂

Mezzetta Pasta Sauce and Recipe Sauce JarWe’ve had an increased focus on eating healthier this summer and so I’ve been looking for ways to adapt some of our favorite meals to meet our new standards going into the fall. Things like switching to whole wheat pasta, adding lots more veggies into our dishes and cutting way down on processed foods are a few of the ways we are cleaning things up around here. One thing I love about  Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade pasta sauces is look at the ingredient list….

IMG_6597

I can not tell you how thrilled I was when I picked up this jar in the grocery store to find only whole ingredients and no added sugar anywhere in sight! You’d be surprised what might be in your pasta sauce….check the label. Once I saw this I was beyond excited to get home and get cooking. The idea of something so convenient yet healthful blew my mind.

Here’s what we made! I promise, it’s so good (and so easy) you have to try it!

Print
Whole Wheat Rotini w/ Roasted Zucchini & Tomato Basil Sauce

Whole Wheat Rotini w/ Roasted Zucchini & Tomato Basil Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 - 16oz box whole wheat rotini
  • 1 - jar of Mezzetta Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce
  • 2 zucchinni
  • about 1/3 of a medium sized yellow onion roughly chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic chopped
  • olive oil
  • sea salt
  • fresh ground pepper
  • parmesan cheese
  • fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Slice the zucchini into thick rounds and then cut them in half. Toss them in a bowl along with the onion and garlic with a tablespoon or two of olive oil (just enough to coat them) and then sprinkle with sea salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Lay everything out in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
  4. Roast until zucchini start to turn golden brown (aproximately 30-35min).
  5. While your zucchini is roasting boil pasta according to package directions.
  6. Heat sauce on low in a separate pan while the pasta is cooking.
  7. Strain pasta, mix everything together and top with parmesan cheese and fresh basil leave for garnish.
3.1
https://plainvanillamom.com/2015/09/whole-wheat-rotini-w-roasted-zucchini-fallforflavor.html

Zucchini Rotini Pasta Collage Landscape

Are you hungry yet? Well your in luck! Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade is giving away the Perfect Pasta Night! Click HERE to enter to win.

Prizes:
• Grand Prize (1): Perfect Pasta Night. Cooking kit includes: Six (6) Mezzetta® Napa Valley Homemade™ Pasta Sauces + Dried Pasta + Apron + Grocery Tote + Chef’s Hat + Cheese Grater + Recipe Cards + $500 grocery gift card

• Runner Up Prizes (10): Six (6) Mezzetta® Napa Valley Homemade™ Pasta Sauces + Recipe Cards

Share this postShare on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Share on Google+
Google+
Email this to someone
email
Share on StumbleUpon
StumbleUpon

Related posts:

Easter Sugar Cookies Random Thoughts For the Love of Starbucks (DIY Marshmallow Stir Sticks) Under The Sea Lunch Inspired by “Finding Dory” & Nature’s Harvest®

Add a Comment

« 7 Ways to Keep Your Child’s Birthday Simple & Fun
Bead Apple Tree Craft for Kids »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Hi There!

Welcome! I'm Jen, just your average well caffeinated, camera wielding, multitasking, plain vanilla mom to three boys. I love photography & am addicted to Instagram (oh & Starbucks). So, grab a cup of coffee and take a minute to peruse the pages here. I look forward to getting to know you better! Read More…

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Instagram

Load More...
Follow on Instagram

Popular Posts

  • Bug Fossils | A Play Dough Invitation
  • Dyed Wooden Eggs
  • Flower Garden Sensory Bin
  • Glitter Water Blob Sensory Bags for Fun & Learning
  • Sensory Bag for Baby
  • Dot Marker Butterflies
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · glam theme by Restored 316

  • Disclosure/Copyright
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy