Pepper & Winter Greens Pasta

Veggies past dishes are some of my very favorites to make. Pasta is a great background to whatever sort of vegetables are in season or whatever you've got on hand. Using some seasoning, vinegars, oils, and cheeses, you can bring together seemingly disparate vegetable flavors in a delicious treat for your taste buds. And it is super simple to do - just prepare the pasta in one pot while preparing the veggies in another, then bring them both together at the end with some seasonings.

I had a yellow bell pepper and some dark winter greens on hand and needed to use them up soon. With a little red onion, garlic, and some hearty pasta, I was able to whip up a healthy and delectable pasta dish in no time flat. I love to use lots of different colors in my dishes too, so this one was great. The dark leafy greens with the bright yellow of the pepper and the caramelized red onion strewn throughout beautiful whole grain pasta - what more could you ask for in a winter's meal?

Simple, quick, colorful, healthy, and delicious. This pasta has got it all! What are your favorite veggies to use in pasta?

Pepper & Winter Greens Pasta

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup whole grain penne pasta
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 red onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, roughly chopped
• 3 cups dark leafy greens (kale, collard greens, and spinach are all lovely in this!)
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp dried basil leaves
• 1 Tbsp dried parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Parmesan cheese for sprinkling, optional 

Directions

1. Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta as directed.

2. Meanwhile heat oil over medium high heat in large saute pan. Add onion and garlic and saute until fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes.

3. Add peppers and cook until pasta is al dente, reducing heat if necessary.

4. Add pasta (reserving at least 1/2 cup of pasta water) and leafy greens. Reduce heat to medium and warm until greens begin to soften. 

5. Add little pasta water, vinegar, dried herbs, and salt and pepper. Stir to coat, adding more seasonings to taste and more liquid to desired thickness.
6. Enjoy with a sprinkling of cheese on top if desired. Enjoy!