One of the easiest ways to eat healthier is to change to whole wheat pasta.  You can find it in all varieties: spaghetti, rotini, lasagna, etc.and it is relatively inexpensive!
Why should we change to whole wheat pasta?  Whole wheat pasta contains more that 3 times the fiber as white pasta.  We all know that we should eat more fiber.  It is a great way to lower our risk for heart disease, diabetes, plus it makes us full longer. 
I know that when you see the pasta in the grocery store surrounded by the regular white kind it can seem so different.  You may be afraid that your kids won't eat it.  The great thing about this pasta is that when you cook it, it lightens in color.  When you mix in the sauce or other ingredients know one will ever know that it is whole wheat.  My kids had no idea the first time that I served it to them!  Here are some good pasta recipes!


Whole Wheat Rotini Bake

16 oz. Whole wheat rotini pasta
1 lb. of lean ground beef
1/2 c. diced onions
28 oz. spagetti sauce
1/2 tsp. salt
2-3 cups of mozzarella

1. cook pasta according to package directions.
2. While pasta cooks, brown ground beef with onion.
3. Add half of spagetti sauce to browned ground beef.  Add salt.
4.  Drain pasta.
5. Stir pasta and ground beef mixture together with the rest of spagetti sauce. 
6.  Put mixture in baking dish and cover with foil.
7.  Cook for 20 min.  Add cheese and cook a few minutes more uncovered until cheese is melted.


Tuna Kale Puttanesca

16 oz. whole wheat angel hair pasta
3 Tbsp. of cooking oil
2 cloves of minced garlic
1 onion chopped
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
2 cans of tuna drained
1 cup of chopped tomatoes
3 cups of chopped kale
1 cup of Parmesan cheese

1. cook pasta according to package directions.
2.  Meanwhile, saute onions, garlic, and red pepper flakes for about 5 min. until onion starts to brown. 
3.  Stir in Tuna and tomatoes.
4.  Bring to a boil.  Add Kale and cook for about 10 min. until kale is tender.
5.  Drain pasta.
6.  Add tuna mixture to pasta.
7.  Top with Parmesan cheese.


This recipe is very nutritious!  Kale is an excellent source of beta carotene and vitamin c.  It also contains bioflavonoids which can protect against cancer!!
I hope you like these tips and recipes and I will have another food and more recipes next week!!