Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Catelli Smart Pasta


                   


As an avid vegetarian cook,cookbook author and "big time" pasta-lover, I've tried many brands and types, over the years. Fresh pasta, homemade (when time permits) and of course the convenient dry pasta choices. I have yet to find any that I like any better than Catelli Smart Pasta.

Not only does this pasta (that comes in many shapes) have a pleasant, mild flavor, it's also nutritionally superior to regular white pasta, for a number of reasons, including more fibre and a slower-releasing type of carbohydrate composition. You can read all the details about this pasta at the Catelli site. Make sure to check out the numerous printable product coupons and plenty of recipes too.

Speaking of pasta recipes, here's one from my cookbook Not Just for Vegetarians that I hope you will enjoy. My version of an old family favorite: Yummy Mac and Cheese, With a Twist.  This is comfort food at it's best. And Catelli Smart Pasta works great in this recipe.

See the complete recipe at the end of this post, page 2. 

                                     


If you haven't tried Catelli Smart Pasta yet, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. And if there are any finicky eaters in your family who still won't touch any of the whole grain varieties of pasta, this is an excellent option too. They won't know it's more nutritious, they'll just appreciate that it's delicious!

I hope that Catelli will add some more pasta shapes along the way too, such as wagon-wheels, animals,shells etc. I know that a lot of children love fun shapes in their foods. And Smart fun shapes for pasta, would be even better!

Overall rating for this product: Very Good. 4 out of 5.

 

YUMMY MAC AND CHEESE, WITH A TWIST

Delicious, satisfying and oh so good. Serve with stewed tomatoes or salsa to top this satisfying ‘comfort food’ entrée. You may never settle for KD again! Serves 6-8.

3 C. uncooked small shape (penne,shells,fusilli,elbow...) pasta. Preferably whole wheat, multi-grain or Catelli Smart pasta 
2 T. butter or margarine
2 medium onions, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 medium red or green pepper, diced
3 T. unbleached flour OR 1 1/2 T. cornstarch
2 C. milk (or 1 C. milk and 1 C. water)
1-10 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
1-2 T. Dijon mustard (to taste)
1 ½ C. shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (no substitutes)
2 T. finely chopped fresh parsley
1-2 teas. crushed dried thyme leaves (to taste)
¼-1/2 teas. freshly-ground pepper, to taste
In a large cooking pot, cook the pasta in a large quantity of boiling salted water until almost tender, about 8-10 minutes; depending on the pasta you are using. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
                                    
Preheat oven to 350. Grease a large (2 quart) casserole dish and set aside.
                                        
In the same cooking pot (saves on dishes) that pasta was cooked in, melt butter over medium heat. Add the diced onions, green or red pepper and celery and saute for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low, add flour and stir to coat vegetables. Add the milk, mushroom soup and mustard, continuing to stir until sauce is smooth and thickened. Add cheese and continue to stir until cheese is melted. Remove from heat.                      
Combine the pasta, parsley and seasonings with the sauce. Pour into prepared casserole dish.
Cover and bake for 40 minutes. Remove lid from casserole for last 5 minutes of baking time. 

Note: Any of the small shapes of Catelli Smart Pasta work great in this recipe and make it even more satisfying.
                                
Recipe adapted from: Not Just for Vegetarians by Geraldine Hartman. All rights reserved.



6 comments:

  1. I don't recognize that brand, but will look for it. The recipe sounds great!
    I never thought of serving salsa with mac and cheese. My husband would really like that. I have plenty of fresh thyme in the garden, so will use that.

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  2. I have to look for that pasta.
    I too don't recognize the brand.
    Yummy on that recipe!

    Thanks for the review, G.
    Good job!
    I give you an A#### LOL!

    Margie x

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  3. This really is "smart" pasta. It is very good in this mac and cheese recipe too. Love it.

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  4. Hi SandyL, Salsa and mac and cheese, gotta love it! I thought that Catelli was also in the US but perhaps not. They do make excellent products, great value too.

    Hi Margie, Aren't you nice, thanks Margie. As I said above, I don't know if you'll find this brand in the US but perhaps on a trip North you might give it a try sometime.

    Hi Joe, I agree, yummmm...this photo always makes me hungry.

    Happy Weekend, G

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  5. I use this brand all the time and I love the way it tastes. Healthy harvest by Catelli is another great choice with omega 3 whole wheat, heart and stroke foundation approved as well. I used it last week in a casserole and it was yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi C, I also like the Healthy Harvest multigrain and whole wheat types. And the Garden Select sauces by Catelli too, which are actually made by Heinz,which I found out about from the company.

    Happy Cooking, G

    ReplyDelete

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