I’ve got an Easy Week Night Meal: Pasta and Broccoli for the win – just for you! We love some pasta around here, but if I’m totally honest, I don’t make it too terribly often.
But let me just say that when I do make it, we are super happy people! Pasta is one of those foods that can cure just about any ailment, don’t you think?
It’s satisfying, versatile, and let’s be honest — who doesn’t love a bowl full of carbs?! Nobody! I know there are all kinds of ‘healthier’ pastas out now, but I have to be real honest with you. If I’m going to allow myself a little bowl of pasta, I want the REAL stuff. Not the chickpea or black bean version of pasta. I don’t know why, but the healthier versions always leave me feeling so unsatisfied. In other words, it’s like a wasted meal for me.
So every now and then — we eat the PASTA!
Because I’ve always been of the belief that I have to serve my dinners with something green, broccoli was added to this old fashioned dish.
Whether it be a salad, green beans, or sauteed kale — a green veggie must be served alongside our meat and carb. I know it sounds weird, but it makes my dinner feel complete.
My problem with this particular belief is that Gaby will only eat broccoli. Nothing else green. Therefore, we eat all the broccoli, all the time!
I’ve literally been making this meat sauce since I was a kid. This is my mom’s go-to recipe for all those times we begged her to make us spaghetti for dinner.
So in order to get some extra veggies in us, I ended up roasting the broccoli just until tender, and then I tossed it in with the pasta and meat sauce.
I don’t know why I’ve never done this before, but we loved it. And it was a quick way to get some added nutrients into our diet.
My old fashioned pasta was approved by all which always makes my mama heart happy.
Meanwhile, Gaby picked out all of the broccoli and then ate the pasta which is a total win in my book! However, I thought for sure she would’ve done the opposite. Kids are so unpredictable, right?!
When I make this meat sauce, I like to make it early in the day so it can simmer for a couple of hours. If you don’t have time to do this, fear not. It will still taste delicious.
While your sauce is cooking, make the pasta (whichever ones you love most) and roast the broccoli.
If you’re using penne pasta, you can time it just right and the pasta and broccoli will be done at the same time. Toss everything together in all of that delicious sauce and eat your heart out!
In conclusion, I hope you and your family love this Easy Week Night Meal: Pasta and Broccoli dish as much as we do!
Bon Appettit,
-Whitney
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 2 – 15 oz cans diced tomatoes
- 1 – 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 2 – 3 tbsp organic cane sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- a big handful of chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cups of broccoli florets; washed and trimmed
- 1 pound of pasta - whatever kind you love most
- In a large Dutch oven on medium to medium-high heat add the olive oil. Once it’s hot add the onion and garlic and cook until translucent, about 5 – 7 minutes. Next, add the ground meat and cook until completely done and crumbled.
- Add the diced tomatoes and the sauce. Stir well.
- Now, add the Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Let your sauce simmer while you make the pasta and broccoli.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. (I like to cook my pasta a couple minutes less than what the package says because I like to let the pasta cook in with the sauce for a few minutes before serving. The pasta will continue cooking.) While the pasta cooks, roast your broccoli until just softened at 350 degrees for about 10 - 12 minutes.
- Right before you’re ready to serve, add the parsley, broccoli, and pasta to the sauce and stir until well combined.
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