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One of the easiest lunches you can pack, this alphabet pasta will fill them up good. Make it the night before and simply reheat for the Thermos.
3 garlic cloves, sliced
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 carrot, coarsely chopped
3 red sweet peppers, coarsely chopped
1 yellow zucchini, cut into 1/4-in. coins (optional)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 600-mL jar passata
1 tsp granulated sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups alphabet pasta
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
Pulse garlic, onion and carrot in a food processor until chopped. Add peppers and zucchini, and pulse until very finely chopped.
Heat a pot over medium. Add oil and then vegetable mixture. Cook, covered, stirring often, until vegetables are very tender, about 20 min.
Add passata, sugar and salt during the last 2 min. of cooking.
Meanwhile, cook alphabet pasta in a pot of boiling water following package directions, but omitting salt, until tender, 7 to 8 min. Drain and return to pot. Stir in sauce and Parmesan until combined.
Calories 407, Protein 14g, Carbohydrates 69g, Fat 8g, Fibre 5g, Sodium 904mg.
Scoop hot pasta into a Thermos and pack cheese on the side so kids can do their own sprinkling.
Originally published in the Today’s Parent September 2015 issue, this recipe has a triple-tested guarantee from the Chatelaine Kitchen.
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