Healthy Mediterranean Pasta Dishes for One or More

Pasta is loved all over the world, and some of the most beloved pasta dishes are part of traditional Mediterranean cuisine. Cooked and tossed with olive oil, garlic, one or more regional cheeses or a tomato and herb sauce, noodles are never better. With vibrant natural ingredients used in Mediterranean cooking and the whole grain and vegetable noodle choices, pasta is one of the most healthful and delicious options for dinner.

For the Family

The entire family can enjoy vegetable spaghetti tossed with a great tomato-based sauce. Young children love learning to eat the long noodles. For the sauce, tomato puree is simmered with garlic, onion, peppers of choice and oregano as well as olive oil, olives, and mushrooms. Salt is added to taste. Grated parmesan scattered on top just before serving finishes this easy and wonderful dish.  Warmed Italian or whole grain bread with garlic butter and a leafy green salad completes the meal.

For Romance

For an easy romantic dinner, pasta is one of the best choices.  The spaghetti works, but other Italian pasta options can make the evening special like manicotti. This dish with large tube noodles stuffed with a mixture of ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheese seasoned with garlic, basil, oregano and marjoram is delicious. Fill two or three per person and lie flat in a baking dish. Smother the stuffed noodles with spaghetti or pizza sauce and grated parmesan cheese and bake covered until noodles are cooked at about 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.  Uncover and brown the cheese under broiler and serve warm. Serve with a tossed salad and have gelato and chocolates for dessert.

Pasta for One

Even one person can enjoy pasta at home. Noodles cook up nicely in small and large batches, and re-heating noodles does not ruin the texture or taste.  In fact, Italian herbs and flavors combine for even more robust flavors the next day. Lasagne and other pasta dishes also freeze nicely so a full-sized recipe made on one day can be divided in portions and frozen for several meals. Such cooking for one saves time and effort, and the quality of the food is not usually diminished in the least by freezing.

Healthy and Delicious Italian Pasta

A good balance of protein, vegetables and grains make complete meals. Eaten in moderation, pasta is a carbohydrate that can be a part of a nutritious meal. Many whole grain noodles on the market today cook up to look, taste and feel just like the enriched noodles.  Choosing whole grain or rice and corn alternative pastas do help to keep the diet balanced, especially when eating noodles more than once a week.  Tossed and served with generous amounts of Mediterranean-style vegetables, herbs and olive oil, Italian pasta makes a healthy and delicious meal choice.