Cook This: Naturally Green Pasta Bake

For families constantly on the go, a healthy home cooked meal can sometimes be the last thing on your mind. Add a crazy schedule, busy children, and a long list of to-do’s, and making a yummy dinner that is also good for you is quickly pushed to the side. Here is a tried and true family favorite one dish dinner. The fun pasta shapes and delicious taste will create howls of "more please" surrounding your dinner table. Friends and family will be green with envy when they learn you snuck some broccoli in your kids’ diet, too. Just place all of your ingredients in your pan, pop in the oven and get back to life.

Ingredients

1 lb. Whole Grain dry pasta (small shaped pasta works best, such as organic bows)

1 Jar pasta sauce

1 Jar water

1 Cup shredded cheese

1 lb. crumbled raw ground meat or cubed raw chicken (for example, organic, grass fed local ground beef)

1 Package frozen broccoli florets

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F

Spray a 9 X 13-inch pan with non-stick spray.

Pour in dry pasta then pour in the jar of sauce; fill jar with water and pour over pasta, stirring well.

Add meat and broccoli, stir once again.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes or until the meat is cooked through and the pasta is tender.

Carefully remove from oven and remove foil. Stir well. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over top. Return to oven, uncovered, and bake for 10 more minutes. Let cool for several minutes before serving. Pair with an organic green spring salad and enjoy!

Mix it up! Feel free to try with other types of pasta or even rice. You can use a tomato based pasta sauce or you can try a cream based sauce. If using an Alfredo type of sauce use milk in place of water and omit cheese.

AmityShay thoroughly enjoys writing, rewriting and trying new creative recipes that encourage her family's health and well-being. She hopes this recipe encourages you to do the same. Cheers!