Brown rice pasta is a great alternative to white pasta and it has a lower impact on blood sugar and has more fiber. Brown rice pasta does not have to be boring just because it’s good for you and adding freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest truly brightens this dish. The key to cooking brown rice pasta is to slightly undercook it so it does not become mushy. Adding this recipe is a great way to change up your pasta routine and try the fresh flavor of lemon and parsley in this easy to prepare recipe. Here’s how to make it:
Start by heating 2 Tbl. of olive oil in a large nonstick pan with a lid. Sauté 1 small chopped onion until crisp-tender and then add 2 cloves of minced garlic. Sauté the garlic just until fragrant and then add 1 tsp. sea salt and 1 tsp. of ground black pepper. Next, add 1 lb. of ground beef (preferably grass-fed). Start a large pot of boiling salted water for the pasta.
Cook the beef until well browned and then add in 2 – 28 oz. cans of crushed tomatoes.
To the sauce, add 1 cup of chopped Italian parsley, 2 tsp. dried basil, 2 tsp. dried oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine and cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Drop the pasta into boiling salted water and cook according to package instructions but be sure not to overcook the pasta. Slightly under cooked is best.
After
When
When the pasta is al dente remove from the heat and rinse in cold water to remove some of the starch. Reserve some of the pasta water to and add the pasta to thin the sauce if necessary.
Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat and heat through but do not overcook or pasta will become mushy.
Pasta can be served in the pan family style with grated parmesan cheese, parsley, and lemon slices. Or, serve individually garnished with grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and a thin slice of lemon.
Hopefully this will become a favorite in your home. Enjoy and happy cooking!
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: About 30 min. total
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients:
2 Tbl. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 Lemons, 1 – zested and squeezed and 1- thinly sliced for garnish
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup Italian parsley, chopped plus more for garnish
1 lb. Ground beef (grass-fed if possible)
2 – 28 oz. cans of ground or crushed tomatoes (such as Kitchen Ready)
1/2 tsp. sea salt plus more to taste
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper plus more to taste
2 tsp. dried basil
2 tsp. dried oregano
pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese plus more for serving
1 lb. bag of brown rice elbow pasta (such as Tinkyada brand)