Vegetable Pasta Salad

on June 20, 2010
in All Posts

I’ve been racking my brains for some new recipes (well, specifically non-dairy recipes since the Husband is pretty hardcore right now).  And I think I finally have a great one for you.  Plus, it’s super simple (as always)… I bet you already have most of these ingredients on hand!

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This great pasta salad is warm – not cold and not hot – and is drizzled in a sweet, tangy balsamic reduction.  Drool!

 

Vegetable Pasta Salad

 

Ingredients (2 servings):

 

  • 2 servings whole wheat pasta
  • 1 sweet potato
  • 1/2 can baby corn
  • 3/4 cup frozen green beans
  • 1 cup arugula
  • 1 portabella mushroom cap
  • 10 Brussel sprouts
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
  • 3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and Pepper

 

Directions:

 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Wash sweet potato, stab with fork, wrap in wet paper towel and microwave for 3 minutes.
  • Rinse Brussel sprouts and trim.  Cut into bite-sized pieces and then microwavable glass bowl.  After the sweet potato is done, put the Brussel sprouts in for 4 minutes.
  • Bring pot of water to boil and add pasta.  Cook for 10 minutes.
  • Slice slightly cooked sweet potato and place on cookie sheet.  Drain Brussel sprouts and add next to the sweet potatoes.  Roast at 400 degrees for 15 minutes.
  • Slice mushroom.

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  • Add to cookie sheet and cook everything for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Drain pasta, mix with arugula and baby corn (the arugula will wilt when you add it to the bowl).
  • Remove vegetables and put on top of pasta.

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  • Add vegetable oil, salt, and pepper.  Toss and let stand.
  • Meanwhile, bring balsamic vinegar to boil and reduction using the method in this recipe.
  • Plate pasta and pour balsamic reduction on top.
  • Serve and enjoy!

 

It… was… divine.  One of the best at-home dinners I’ve had in a while!

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Yes, we ate on the floor.

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I had a great dessert as well!

 

I microwaved 1/4 cup oatmeal with 1/4 cup almond milk and then added a crumbled brownie.  Topped with cinnamon!

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Off to work on my Speedy 5K/No More Trouble Zones training plan!  Will reveal tomorrow!  Oh, and I’m munching on more melon!

 

Hope you had a good weekend, too.  🙂

{ 54 comments }

 

  • Lauren (Clean Eats in the Dirty South) June 20, 2010, 6:58 pm

    that. looks. so. good.
    eating in the floor is always fun…looks like you’ve made a lot of progress with moving stuff!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing June 20, 2010, 7:01 pm

    Oh my gosh… that dessert sounds AMAZING!!!!!! I wish I had a brownie!! Was that a boxed mix or did you make it?

    • Caitlin June 20, 2010, 7:02 pm

      boxed mix, actually a gluten-free one that was pretty good!

  • Kaye June 20, 2010, 7:08 pm

    Oh, wow. I am SO going to sprinkle some goat cheese on this and GO TO TOWN!

  • Jessica @ How Sweet It Is June 20, 2010, 7:14 pm

    I love baby corns! That pasta salad looks great and I don’t even enjoy veggies.

  • Nicole of Raspberry Stethoscope June 20, 2010, 7:22 pm

    Random question–is that a sharp’s container? lol

    • Caitlin June 20, 2010, 7:43 pm

      hahha yes. full of needles.

  • Lisa (bakebikeblog) June 20, 2010, 7:39 pm

    What a wonderful dinner 🙂 so quick and healthy!

  • Meghan@traveleatlove June 20, 2010, 7:47 pm

    Yummy, easy dinner! I am starting a segment this week called Dinner in 10, and there will be some vegan and lots of vegetarian meal ideas.

  • Kaz June 20, 2010, 8:04 pm

    That looks so very good! I like how you pre-nuke your veggies before roasting them. I do it, too. (However, I always get funny looks when I do it.) But, it saves on time and keeps the house from getting too hot, so it’s a win. 😀

  • Katherine June 20, 2010, 8:09 pm

    for having no furniture, you’re still pulling off gourmet looking eats

  • Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ June 20, 2010, 8:26 pm

    I like the dessert, yum.

  • Amelia June 20, 2010, 8:39 pm

    Dinner looks great! I like how you have pasta, but it looks like there are more vegetables than actual noodles. I hate when there aren’t enough “goodies” in a bowl of pasta.

  • claire June 20, 2010, 8:41 pm

    Great recipe Caitlin! I love topping oats with desserts like brownies/muffins/cookies for a more filling evening snack..looks delicious!

  • Camille June 20, 2010, 8:42 pm

    Dinner looks good, but dessert looks great!

  • M June 20, 2010, 9:00 pm

    do you put a bit of oil with veg re roasting so they don’t dry out?

    • Caitlin June 21, 2010, 8:24 am

      nope… they end up being oiled in the pasta anyway and i don’t like too oily pasta.

  • Ellen June 20, 2010, 9:00 pm

    okay, so since your husband is now a doctor of chinese medicine, i feel like i can ask this question 🙂

    my acupuncturist has me on some “herbs”– lunch paper bags filled with twigs and bark and such. i have to boil these and drink it hot twice a day. the problem is that i just CANNOT get it down. it is literally the most disgusting thing i’ve ever tasted, and i actually really like bitter or strange tasting things. i feel nauseous and like i’m going to puke after one sip and the feeling (and the taste in my mouth!) lingers for a LONG time. does he have any recommendations for getting it down more easily? i know there’s probably not a way, but i’m desperate so i thought i’d ask. i have to drink 4 cups a day!

    • Caitlin June 21, 2010, 8:26 am

      hahah i hate the way some herbs taste, too! hmmm have you tried pinching your nose? taking it like a shot (prob multiple times)?

      there are these weird herbs i take whenever im injured and whenever i burp, i can totally taste it in the back of my mouth. however, they def work so i trudge thru!!

  • M June 20, 2010, 9:00 pm

    pS what do you two think of nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese?

    • Caitlin June 21, 2010, 8:26 am

      never tried nutrional nutritional yeast! is it good?

  • Wei-Wei June 20, 2010, 9:11 pm

    Yum! Balsamic vinegar is awesome reduced – it has this beautiful, tangy, sweet flavour that I just love. Thanks for the recipe! (Your dessert looks so improvised – but so good!)

    Wei-Wei

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) June 20, 2010, 9:46 pm

    Is there anything oatmeal can’t do?! The pasta looks delicious too! Enjoy your evening!

  • Lindsey June 20, 2010, 9:51 pm

    You had me until you said brussel sprouts.

    • Caitlin June 21, 2010, 8:26 am

      hahah what about broccoli?

      • Lindsey June 21, 2010, 9:01 am

        Oh, good substitute. I love broccoli!

  • Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter June 20, 2010, 10:35 pm

    Mmmmm your dessert looks phenomenal!

  • Carly @ Happy Healthy Foodie June 20, 2010, 10:55 pm

    wow that looks like one heck of a dinner! You must be getting so stoked on your move! 🙂

  • Amber K @ sparkpeople June 20, 2010, 10:56 pm

    I have a passion for pasta! I love it, love it, love it! But I’m all for smooth sauces and veggies on the side. Gotta keep my loves in the same meal, but separate!

    Still looks great!

  • Candice June 20, 2010, 11:07 pm

    I think I might have to have pasta/veggie salad for lunch tomorrow! That looks so good.

    As much as I hate packing, it’s always exciting at the same time because it means you’re starting something new. What a fun time for you guys! And so impressive that you’re getting it done so early.

  • Serena June 20, 2010, 11:08 pm

    Caitlin, since the Husband is so hard core and you’re looking for new recipes, maybe you should check out the Veganomicon cookbook? It has some amazing recipes that sound right up your alley! I’m not even vegan (or even a vegetarian) and I love that book.

    • Caitlin June 21, 2010, 8:27 am

      i have the eat, drink, and be vegan book… is vegaonmicon filled with so many complicated recipes? i feel like EDBV is so complex that i never make anything.

  • Kellie June 20, 2010, 11:31 pm

    I make oatmeal desserts all the time. I like warm oatmeal with banana soft-serve. Tastes like a banana pie!

  • Marilou @ Mostly Healthy June 20, 2010, 11:34 pm

    You really have a slight balsamic reduction addiction, don’t you? hehehe ! This looks awesome!

  • Gavi @ GaviGetsGoing! June 20, 2010, 11:52 pm

    I eat on the floor all the time…and I have furniture! It feels pretty homey and cozy sometimes. It looks like you’re doing great with preparations for the move–good luck with everything! 🙂 I can’t WAIT to make that delicious-looking pasta salad!

  • Rebecca June 21, 2010, 1:08 am

    Awesome idea! Thanks for the recipe. Dessert sounds really good, too!

  • Helen June 21, 2010, 1:50 am

    This looks delicious. Loving all the veggies on here. I would have to put some sort of cheese on though. Don’t know how your husband can do it – very hardcore!

  • Robin @RawkinRobin June 21, 2010, 2:00 am

    It is so funny reading your posts because I feel like i’m on the same path! I completed my first half marathon on May 30th and my first goal after that was to work on my speed on short runs! My fastest and farthest so far has been 4 miles in 40 minutes exactly. And i’m also working on increasing my strenght training haha 🙂 Your blog is inspiring me every day to keep going!

  • Freya @ Brit Chick Runs June 21, 2010, 3:06 am

    I love that you’re writing your posts on the floor and eating on the floor, it’s so funny! (Though a tad uncomfortable maybe!?)
    Great dinner + dessert 🙂

  • Julia @ Brit Bride June 21, 2010, 4:38 am

    Fab dinner – this is actually one I already make – tip for you as a dairy eater – add shaved parmesan to this – its divine!

    Julia
    http://www.britbride.com

  • Cassie @ Tasteful Tales June 21, 2010, 6:52 am

    I love pasta salad esp in the summer. Great recipe… thanks!

  • Becky June 21, 2010, 7:56 am

    If you are looking for simple, easy vegan/vegetarian recipes, I highly recommend Mark Bittman’s “How to Cook Everything Vegetarian.” He has TONS of vegan recipes and substitutions in there, and everything is laid out really clearly. Most recipes, he gives you the “base” and then suggests a range of variants if you want to switch up the flavors. One of the best cookbooks in our kitchen!

    • Caitlin June 21, 2010, 8:27 am

      thanks! i like simple!

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) June 21, 2010, 8:00 am

    Your veggie pasta looks absolutely delicious! I’ll have to give it a go next week. 😀

  • Kelly June 21, 2010, 8:03 am

    Veggie past looks yummy. I love that you guys ate on the floor haha.

  • Diana @ frontyardfoodie June 21, 2010, 8:13 am

    Mmm veggie pasta is the best and this one looks exceptional! I love that you put brussel sprouts in it. People don’t use those often enough.

  • Heather June 21, 2010, 8:37 am

    awesome, I love that you ate on the floor!

  • Robyn June 21, 2010, 11:06 am

    This is a recipe I’ll be making!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin June 21, 2010, 1:09 pm

    This does look good! I’ve never thought to pair balsamic with pasta before.

  • Laura (Starloz) June 21, 2010, 7:39 pm

    I’m going to try this veggie pasta, it sounds great.

  • Kennedy June 21, 2010, 8:04 pm

    This was fate… I was desperate to try something new tonight! Thanks so much Caitlin, this recipe was really tasty and I never would have thought to put these ingredients together otherwise!

  • Anne @ Your Kind of Salad June 22, 2010, 10:03 am

    Caitlin,
    I just made a Cranberry Lemon Quinoa Salad – that I guest-posted the recipe over at Eater Not a Runner – I think you and the Huz would dig it since its vegetarian and easily veganized, easy to make and similar to a casserole – all the high points for a HTP dinner right? 🙂
    http://eaternotarunner.wordpress.com/2010/06/14/guest-post-lemon-cranberry-quinoa-salad/

    • caitlin June 22, 2010, 10:04 am

      hahah yes! those are all requirements for an HTP dinner… looks great! I am going to save this for when we get settled in Charlotte!

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