Ingredients
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1/2 Lb. Penne Pasta
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1 Can Diced Tomatoes14-16 oz
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1/4 Cup Basil - FreshChopped
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2 Tablespoons Olive OilExtra Virgin Olive Oil if you have
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1 Tablespoon Salt
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1 Tablespoon Pepper
Steps for Vegan Penne with Fresh Tomatoes
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1
Done
10 Minutes
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Boil the penne pastaPut the 1/2 lb. Penne pasta into the boiling water and mix, mix, mix! Depending on what Penne pasta you bought, cook as directed on package. Continue stirring continuously. Fish out a single penne pasta and take a bite. If it's al-dente, then take out the pasta... if no, let the pot on the heater and try again in 30 seconds. I used Barilla Penne for this recipe. |
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2
Done
2 Minutes
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Saute the rest of ingredientsSaute the Tomatoes and the chopped Basil in Olive Oil. Add Salt and Pepper to taste. Place into a serving dish. Toss in the drained Penne Pasta and mix a bit. Bon appétit |
Additional Info for Vegan Penne with Fresh Tomatoes
Penne Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes is one of the simplest recipes I know, taking only 12 minutes until you serve it. This dish has a few ingredients and the pasta is recommended to be prepared al-dente. For people who want to lose weight, an ‘on diet recipe‘ like this can make this happen.
Content on this page…
About the Penne Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes Recipe
This type of dish is cheaper than you think. You need 1/2 Lb. of Penne Pasta, 1 Can (14-16 oz) Diced Tomatoes, 2 Tbs. of Olive Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1/4 Cup of chopped fresh basil. This is a simple dish and cannot be used on special occasions; however, you can make it for your family when time seems to be against you.
I know many of you want more complex recipes, even with pasta, but complex dishes aren’t every time better. For example, there are users on my website who are in search of “weight-loss recipes”, penne pasta with fresh tomatoes being one of these recipes. In my restaurant, I have a separate section on the menu with weight-loss meals, that have low calories and fat. Guess what? More than 40% of my clients are ordering from that section.
Moreover, I went to Italy more than 10 times to learn about their way of preparing pasta (any type of pasta), and they make simple pasta dishes because they want to feel and taste the pasta flavor more than the other ingredients. One of their recipes is this penne with fresh tomatoes, which frankly, is great for many reasons. I think we have a lot to learn from Italians when it comes to preparing pasta dishes, especially when we want to lose weight or eat healthily.
What kind of penne pasta should I use?
Did you ever hear about hard wheat pasta? The “hard wheat pasta” does not stick, has a lower glycemic index, has weight-loss properties, and are more nutritious, containing a higher amount of protein. Look also to be organic pasta, ecologically certified, made in a traditional pasta factory (like the Dolomite mountains of northern Italy). The ingredients are simple: high-quality organic wheat and mountain water. Unfortunately, this kind of Italian pasta can be rarely found in our supermarkets, but if you do find (mostly Barilla brand – a few types… not all), buy them.
Lose weight with simple penne pasta with fresh tomato dish
People with weight-loss diets often prepare penne pasta with fresh tomatoes because it has few calories and a lot of proteins. Moreover, after eating them, you’ll feel full longer, and this is the key to losing weight or even controlling your belly fat.
Have you ever wondered how Italians are slim even if they have 50+ years old, and this happens because their cuisine is so balanced and simple, their meals have few calories.. every day… for their entire life. But do not confuse simple with “not tasty! Simple is tasty, and if you go to Italy, you’ll see how right I am.
Returning to this recipe, you can add only fresh tomatoes or make a tomato sauce yourself. Either way, you’ll have a healthy pasta dish and get slim in the process.
How to prepare the tomato sauce (not shown in steps) for weight-loss penne pasta
The tomatoes are cut in 4-6 pieces and placed in a pot over medium heat along with a bit of olive oil. If using garlic, clean and mince it, mix it with salt, pepper, and add over the tomatoes. Allow to simmer 3-4 minutes and stir continuously by shaking the pan. The fresh basil is finely chopped and added to the pot at the end. Very simple!
I want to add some meat… can I do it?
For people who want to have meat in pasta, I have a lot of recipes with pasta with different ingredients, including meat. But if you are attracted by the simplicity of penne pasta with fresh tomatoes and still want to add meat, you can use ground beef with reduced fat. If you are on a weight-loss program, but the meat is your life, add chicken meat (cut into cubes, preferably chicken breast) & still have a chance to get slim.
