I could not be more excited about this week’s Sunday Supper! The folks at American Family Insurance tasked the Sunday Supper team with the challenge of turning family favorites/comfort food into a healthier version. If you know me, you are aware I attempt to create healthy meals 95% of the time. I truly believe that food can be absolutely amazing and satisfying while also being nutritious.
Here’s the thing: I know it can be slightly difficult to begin the process. I transitioned over to my current “healthy eating routine” in 2008, and it did take a little while for me to figure things out. One of the most important factors was keeping an open mind. I knew I would have to try new things to discover what I liked, what worked in my kitchen, and what I enjoyed preparing. Little by little, more and more vegetables and healthy foods came to be a regular part of my meals. Nowadays it is extremely rare to see my plate missing a heaping pile of vegetables in some form!
Today I want to talk about pasta. Oh pasta…you are so wonderful. To me, a bowl of pasta with fresh tomato sauce is absolutely one of my go-to comfort food favorites. The downside: eating a heaping bowl of pasta is not always in my healthiest of interests. So, how do I make this comfort classic into a healthy meal? With zucchini noodles, of course!
It seems as though zucchini noodles and other vegetable noodles have become all the rage lately. I am completely on board with spaghetti thin strands of squash, and I highly recommend purchasing a spiralizing tool of some kind to use on vegetables in your kitchen! If I were left to my own devices, I’d probably be happy with a bowl of all zucchini noodles with tomato sauce. However, the world I live in also involves my husband, and he isn’t completely ready to give up pasta. Hey: that’s ok! What I really like about this dish (and of course, I’m slightly biased) is that it lightens up my traditional bowl of pasta, but there is still the indulgent flavor intact! Instead of using 100% pasta noodles, I’m using about 2/3 zucchini noodles and 1/3 pasta. It’s a meal that won’t weigh you down and will still leave you satisfied. Plus, you’re sneaking in the veggies! Zucchini is one of those vegetables that takes on the flavor of whatever it is cooking with, which makes it perfect for this dish.
AND when it comes to slipping extra vegetables into dishes, having the veggie take on the same shape as other items in the dish really helps. A picky eater might push a slice or chunk of zucchini out of the way to avoid it, but when it blends in alongside the pasta noodles, they practically become one and the same. To be honest: zucchini was a vegetable I never really cared for as a child, and it is now one of my all time favorites. All it takes is finding one or two new veggies you enjoy and utilizing them for meals. Once you’ve added one or two, adding three or four more becomes a fun and exciting task at dinner time.
If you’re looking for more amazing meal inspiration, make sure you follow the Family Favorites Turned Healthy #ChooseDreams Pinterest board! There’s a plethora of healthy recipes to choose from!
Also, take a few minutes to visit the American Family Insurance website, follow them on Twitter, ‘Like’ them on Facebook, check in on them on LinkedIn, watch them on YouTube, follow them on G+, and see what inspires them on Pinterest!
This post is sponsored by American Family Insurance. All opinions are my own.
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Make sure you take some time to visit ALL of the awesome recipes turned healthy this week for Sunday Supper!
Savory
Angel Hair & Zucchini Noodles with Fresh Tomato Sauce by Ruffles & Truffles
Baked Vegetable Egg Rolls by Curious Cuisiniere
Beef Stroganoff by Country Girl in the Village
Buffalo Cauli-Tots by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Corn and Crab Chowder by The Dinner-Mom
Crab Cake Salad by Family Foodie
Grilled Portabella Mushrooms On Red Pepper Slaw with Cucumber Dressing by Seduction In The Kitchen
Healthy Chicken Salad by Run DMT
Lighter Beef Tacos by Alida’s Kitchen
Meatballs with Vegetable Noodles and Fresh Tomato Sauce by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Roasted Cauliflower Mac & Cheese by The Messy Baker
Spaghetti Squash with Mushrooms and Spinach by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Superfood Pancakes by girlichef
Tex Mex Enchilada Skillet Lasagna by Neighborfood
Zucchini Meat Lasagna by Peanut Butter and Peppers
Sweet
Chewy Coconut Granola Bars by Savvy Eats
Enlightened Southern Banana Puddings by The Weekend Gourmet
Mom’s Fruit Salad by Magnolia Days
Strawberry Vanilla Canapés by The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Zucchini Carrot Snack Cake by The Foodie Army Wife
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy! You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
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I really do want to get one of those veggie noodle slicers. What a fantastic and fresh noodle dish for summer.
Definitely think about adding one to your kitchen – I loooove mine!
I looove this. I mix half whole wheat and half regular pasta as a compromise in our house. But, I am definitely mixing in zucchini noodles next time!!!
That’s a nice compromise to make as well – smart!
What a beautiful dish!
This looks so good! I actually prefer “zoodles” and usually skip the pasta completely in my dish.
I am the same way – I can totally just have the zucchini. The husband doesn’t so much enjoy that…haha!
This looks amazing!!! I want to make some right now!!
Such a beautiful dish! It is a great way to showcase those awesome veggies. Mmmmmm
this bowl of pasta is just gorgeous!!! I want to dive right in!
Thanks Alice!!!
So what do you say we pair my meatballs with your pasta? I need to try this stat!
Sounds like a great plan! 😉
This looks so fresh and light for Summer…we’re trying to add in more veggies, and I think my husband would go for this ratio of zucchini to noodles!
This gorgeous recipe will be making it’s way to my #SundaySupper table!
Yum! Your pasta dish looks just amazing and so fresh!
I really like that you mixed zucchini noodles and pasta here. I definitely think I could convince my husband to try the veggie noodles this way!
I definitely think my husband eats more of them this way! Matching the shape of the pasta works out really well!
I want to take down the entire plate. This looks delish. Pinned. Thanks for hosting!
I shouldn’t admit that I totally ate the entire batch when I first made it…should I? Because I definitely did…
This is the prefect healthy meal! Love it ~ thank you so much for hosting today, Katie.
A great way to mix in those veggies! Thanks for hosting, Katie!
I love this dish! So simple and so flavorful! I pinned it. 🙂
Also, I forgot to you a shout out as this week’s host. Off to fix that now!
Thanks so much!
This is right up my alley, I’m such a zucchini (and pasta) fan
Whoa, what a gorgeous dish! I AM going to buy a spiralizer so I can try out zucchini noodles (too lazy to hand cut!). I’d love to make your dish.
Do it! It is definitely my new favorite kitchen gadget….
I could eat bowls full of veggies every day and never be bored. But I do love pasta! This is a great way to lighten up the carb load and still maintain all the great flavor
I’m with you – veggies all day every day! I don’t know if my husband totally agrees with me on that though 😉 Haha! Compromises…
I actually love the fact that this is half pasta and half veggie “pasta” – great idea! And your photos are just beautiful…wish I had a bowl in front of me!
Thanks so much – this plate was just begging for photos! 😉
This looks amazing and I love using Zucchini as noodles. I featured your recipe in my weekly meal plan. Would love for you to join our Real Food Recipe Link Up http://www.sassymomsinthecity.com/real-food-recipe-round-up-weekly-meal-plan-june-22/
Thanks so much Alison!
I love the healthy swap you made here with the zucchini noodles. This looks fresh, delicious and beautiful!
What a fun way to introduce zucchini noodles. I really need to find one of those peelers!
What a great idea to mix in the veggie noodles to regular pasta so you don’t feel like you are giving up too much. I just got a julienne peeler, so I can actually give this a try! Looks great!
I hope it works well!
This is a gorgeous dish!! And of course, it looks yummy.