Name: Easy Creamy Tomato Pasta with Spinach
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 box Pasta Lensi Yellow Lentil Penne Rigate ((10 ounces/284g)); ½ tablespoon (8g) olive oil; 1/8 sweet onion (chopped (about 1 ounce/30g)); 2 cloves garlic (roughly chopped); ¾ cup (180g) tomato sauce; 1/3 cup (80ml) nondairy milk, unsweetened and unflavored; 1 ounce (28g) vegan parmesan; 1/3 cup (85g) plain hummus; 2 ¼ cups (100g) spinach

This post has been created in collaboration with Pasta Lensi, all opinions are my own.

This meal comes together in 30 minutes and is just perfect for chilly nights when you want something comforting but also nutritious. Made with Pasta Lensi’s Yellow Lentil Pasta this meal packs in protein and lots of flavor!

Being Italian I couldn’t adore pasta anymore if I tried, it is my absolute favorite food. I am always looking for ways to get in some extra protein. And what better way to do it than with legume pastas?! The Yellow Lentil Pasta from Pasta Lensi is not only delicious but packs in 23g of plant-based protein per 3.5 portion (about 2 servings) . They have a few different varieties, and they are all legume based, gluten-free and vegan.

Who is Pasta Lensi?

Pasta Lensi is a pasta company that was founded in 1920 on the hillsides of Vinci Italy. Signor Vasco Lensi and his family would hand make small batches of pasta in his pastifico (pasta kitchen) then let them dry in the sun. Pasta Lensi became known for their innovation in the art of pasta making and this extends to today! They are innovative and continue to meet the demands of today consumers but still remain true to their old-world methods. A great example of this are their one-ingredient legume pastas that are a delicious and different way to eat healthfully and tastefully!

Why Legume Pasta?

Pasta Lensi’s legume pastas include four varieties: Yellow Lentil Penne Rigate, Red Lentil Rotini, Yellow Lentil Spaghetti, and Chickpea Casarecce . These aren’t like your typical legume pastas as they are only made from one ingredient! So the Yellow Lentil Penne Rigate is only made with yellow lentil flour, which is pretty amazing if you ask me. The Yellow Lentil Penne Rigate also contains 23g of protein per 3.5 ounce portion (about 2 servings) so it is a great way to get in that plant-based protein. The pasta makes it easy to eat healthy and it so delicious.

It is also an excellent source of iron and fiber. If this your first time having Pasta Lensi’s Legume Pasta just note that they do taste different from traditional pasta. They can of course be paired with traditional sauces but they will not result in the same flavor. So it is really better to not think of this pasta as a swap for traditional pasta but more as another way to eat healthfully and deliciously. You can find Pasta Lensi legume pasta at places like: Winn Dixie, Bi Lo, Shop Rite, Walmart, Meijer, and Kroger.

Hummus to Make a Creamy Sauce

I’ve made a lot of creamy pastas before and my usual go to is to use cashews. However, I wanted to keep this recipe even simpler and more allergy friendly. Instead of using blended up cashews a little store-bought ingredient we all know and love is used here. The magic ingredient is hummus! Hummus is full of flavor and it makes this recipe no blender required like using nuts would normally require. This recipe is also so allergy friendly because it is completely gluten, nut, and dairy free!

The Perfect Weeknight Recipe

I truly believe this is the perfect weeknight recipe. It is easy to make, nutritious, and so comforting. As we head into these colder months, I am always looking for cozy meals that can still help me achieve my health and fitness goals, this meal does that! The pasta and sauce are flavorful and full of comfort, but I know that I am still getting in lots of protein along with nutrients from the pasta and spinach. Using your favorite store-bought tomato sauce is another way to get a meal out quicker. I think this will be a fun meal for families to enjoy all together.