Bringing Pasta Back

Flavorful, comforting, and delicious, pasta is a carb-loader’s fever-dream. Unfortunately, the noodle has been on the receiving end of a lot of flack in recent years, during what the Food Network appropriately describes as “the anti-starch explosion.” To silence the naysayers, we’ve done a bit of digging to highlight the underground pasta renaissance, and uncover why these tasty dishes might actually be pretty good for you.

Can pasta really be good for you?

It can and it is. According to the Food Network, “one cup of cooked spaghetti has approximately 220 calories, 1 gram of fat and no cholesterol.” That doesn’t sound so bad. What’s more, there are a number of pastas on the market that offer a dose of iron as well, making for an added bonus of protein, fiber, and vitamins.

Whole wheat pastas are great too, with one cup supplying up to 25 percent of your fiber intake for the day according to livestrong.com. Pasta is also naturally low in sodium and cholesterol-free, so there’s no need to feel guilty afterwards!

It’s all about portion control

Of course, pasta won’t be a healthy option if it’s drowning in a pound of cheese. That’s where ingredient awareness and portion control come into play. Learn how to balance out your dish with lots of vegetables (which are low in calories) to add bulk to your meal. And whenever possible, steer clear of overly creamy sauces that tend to be higher in calories than their vegetable sauce counterparts.

Enter the Massel recipes!

Pasta has always been a favorite of ours, and we love to mix it up so almost anyone can enjoy our fave recipes. Hot off the stove, The Blender Girl Tess Masters has a number of delicious takes on classic pastas. Check out her gluten-free Mushroom Stroganoff (pictured above), seasoned with Massel Beef-Flavored Seasoning Powder and Broth, with a tasty combo of yellow onion, mustard, black pepper, and more. Got you hungry? Find the recipe here.

Fennel & Mushroom Pasta

This dish is packed full of mushrooms, fennel, and gluten-free pasta. And the best part? There’s no one right way to make it! Traditional, whole wheat, or gluten-free pasta — it’s your call. Want to load it up with veggies or a hearty dousing of Parmesan cheese? You do you. For more details, check out the recipe here.

Roasted Garlic Pasta with Broccoli & Pine Nuts by Tess Masters

Gluten-free fettuccini, garlic, toasted pine nuts, broccoli, lemon juice, and even red pepper flakes come together in this Tess Masters dish. Family-friendly, you can prepare this dish with or without gluten-free pasta. Try Massel Seasoning Powder for a little extra flavor! Check out the recipe for this mouth-watering meal here!

Squash Mac & Cheese

And finally, our pièce de résistance, a good ole’ Mac & Cheese! This meal has long been a favorite of children and grownups alike, and for good reason: it’s cheesy, it’s easy, and it just tastes really good. Check out our health-forward Mac & Cheese here.

So what do you think? Want to try one of these dishes? Let us know on our Facebook page!