Okay, first things first. You all melted my heart to mush with all your kind words on my big blogging milestone. Yesterday was really special…thank you. Lots and lots!
To keep the good times rollin’, I bring you a pasta recipe that won over my entire family.
My dad didn’t complain about the garlic.
My husband didn’t complain about the lack of meat.
And my mom went back for seconds.
Recently, I was reading a message board thread about “best pasta recipes” and just the sound of this recipe title made it very clear that this recipe was a must-make. That…and I had a large bag of brussels sprouts that were on their last leg. Thrifty am I!
This recipe makes a lot, which made it perfect for entertaining. My mom and I were able to tag-team the brussels sprouts while hubs and dad kicked around a soccer ball with Lily. I had just filled the wine glasses, handing one to all while bringing this meal together, and lickety split… dinner was ready.
I made the mistake of serving dinner before photographing dinner. Everyone went back for seconds and I was sitting there (silently!), secretly hoping there would be leftovers to photograph. Worst case scenario, I would have to make this again before posting the recipe…but there was just enough left to take a few shots (which my mother, once again, had to observe and smile at).
I gave my dad the “job” of setting the scene. This required him to grab from a pile cloth swatches I pick-up on occasion from local fabric stores. I think he did a pretty good job…those pretty greens to accent the green in the brussels sprouts. Perhaps my dad has a calling as food scene designer? Who knew! 😉
[print_this]
Pasta with Brussels Sprouts, Gorgonzola & Pecans adapted from Fine Cooking and Books-n-Cooks
4 cups (20 oz) Brussels sprouts, thinly sliced to shred
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
13.25 oz lb whole wheat shells or orecchiette
1 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup (2 oz) chopped pecans, coarsely
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup half and half
3/4 cup (3 oz) Gorgonzola, crumbled
Directions:
Preheat oven to 500 F.
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Toss brussels sprouts with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange brussels sprouts in a thin layer on the baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes, stirring half-way through.
Meanwhile, fill a large pot with water and a bit of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook 9-11 minutes until al dente; drain.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1/2 tablespoon butter. Add pecans, cooking until pecans are toasted and butter is browned, about 3 minutes. Be sure to stir frequently. With a slotted spoon, remove pecans and place on a plate. In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Cook garlic until softened, another 3 minutes, still stirring frequently. Add half and half and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat, and add 3/4 cup Gorgonzola, stirring until melted.
In a serving bowl, toss pasta, pecans, Brussels sprouts, and Gorgonzola-cream sauce. Serve immediately.
Yield: 7 servings (about 1 1/2 cup each)
Nutrition Information (per serving): 400 calories; 18.7 g. fat; 22 mg. cholesterol; 343 mg. sodium; 49.4 g. carbohydrate; 8.9 g. fiber; 12.4 g. protein
Result: We couldn’t get enough. My family, and Mr. P, loved this recipe. My parents, both, couldn’t stop raving about it! I love that there’s TONS of brussels sprouts in the dish so it really is an all-in-one pasta dish that helps to keep the calories down, carbohydrates in check, and add loads of fiber. The original recipe called for heavy cream, for which I subbed in half and half…which cut the calories and fat by…a lot! With the gorgonzola in the sauce, you may even be able to get away with a whole milk or 2% option in this sauce to reduce the fat and calories a bit further, if desired. This meal was 400 well spent calories, that’s for sure…delicious! And ready in about 35 minutes…even less if you do your prep (brussels sprout shredding) ahead of time. Enjoy!
[/print_this]And…more giveaways to celebrate Prevention RD’s 1,000,000th view!
The generous folks over at Larabar and Eggland’s Best have some goodies up for grab’s today!
ONE lucky reader will win a package from Eggland’s Best including: 2 dozen egg coupons (any variety – classic, organic, or cage-free), 1 free Hard Cooked and Peeled variety coupon, a spatula, whisk, apron, cutting board, mixing bowl, bowl scrapper, coffee mug, a plush egg, and a tote bag.
THREE lucky winners will each win 6 Larabars (3 of each of my favorite flavors: banana bread and cherry pie!) or a variety pack of 6 different flavors!
To enter to win, please leave a comment with you’re having for breakfast or had for breakfast today!
This giveaway will run through Sunday, April 15th at 10pm EST. Winners will be selected at random and contacted via email. Open to US and Canada residents.
Be well,
I’m having Eggies-style “omelets” with parmesan and asparagus.
I’m having a bagel with cream cheese! 🙂
Remember me?? Yep, I’m still reading!! 🙂 just not much time to comment since having Finn. Love keeping up with your blog though!! 🙂
Author
EM!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh! Hi!!! Can I email you?? 🙂
YES!! Please do!! 🙂
Just finished eating some oats with banana and pineapple. Yumm 🙂
Blueberry bagel thin with 2 tbsp almond butter, banana, iced coffee with almond milk 🙂 Keeps me satisfied and ready to start my day!
Cereal for me – Archer Farms blueberry granola cereal. I love it! I love it even more with almond milk but I’m out until I get to the grocery store later this morning. 🙂
Just finished a a wrap with two eggs and cheese, pretty standard around here 🙂
Brussels in pasta is a great combo! I’ve done it a few times and honestly might end up with that kind of dish tonight because there’s half a bag calling my name…
Parents are so cute. My dad often goes, “you should take a picture of that for the blog”. And they also now text me pictures of meals they made at home together. I always giggle.
Author
My parents take pictures, too! Too funny! Or, if I’m home they want to know if dinner is “blog worthy”! 😛
I love mixing in brussels sprouts in pasta to kind of serve as the “meat.” Sooo yummy!
I’m having Special K blueberry and a banana. Yum! (I need a break from oatmeal!)
I am having Breadsmith Multigrain Bread Toasted with Peanut butter and a bowl of cantaloupe 🙂
I’m having a Green Monster smoothie.
This looks fabulous and very tasty! Your dad did a great job helping with the styling too 🙂
I’m having oats with cocoa, flax and a banana. And decaf once the little man and I go to Starbucks.
I’m having overnight oats with flax meal and strawberries! It’s becoming my go-to summer breakfast.
I had Kashi cereal with a sliced banana in almond milk!
As I am reading your blog (like I do every morning) I am currently having a bowl of apricot mango greek yogurt with kashi crisp. crunch, peanuts and starwberries mixed in. Once of my favorites 🙂
I just made a tofu scramble burrito for the first time ever. Quick and delicious!
I made a smoothie this morning with banana, protein, soy milk, and yoghurt. I split half with the hubs who decided yesterday that he wants more protein in his diet. Sigh I think that means I’m going to be cooking more chicken breast for him :/
Ah! Can’t believe I missed yesterday’s ROCKSTAR announcement, but MAJOR congrats. You deserve it. Big time.
This is totally my kind of pasta dish. One of my favorite veggies with one of my favorite cheeses and one of my favorite carbs…see what I mean.
Ok, today I was bad and had no bake cookies for breakfast( they have oatmeal in them at least!) But yesterday I had an apple Larabar and a grapefruit so this contest is very fitting! I am a huge fan! The lemon and the lime ones are my faves.
an egg white omelet with hot peppers.
We are newly gluten-free(as in 2 days ago), so Chex cereal with Silk.
I had a piece of Ezekial bread toasted with peach preserves….delicious~
That pasta looks excellent! This morning I had greek yogurt with strawberries, PB cheerios & almond butter!
Just had a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats cereal with milk and sliced banana. Boring, but still yummy!
Congratulations on a million views, by the way! That’s awesome!
i just had a delicious bowl of cinnamon-flax-chia oats topped with blueberries, honeydew & drippy almond butter! plus a tiny bite of a brownie…ha!
Congrats to you!! Love reading 🙂
This pasta sounds perfect. Gorgonzola cheese adds so much delicious flavor!
Congrats on your million view milestone! That’s amazing.
Breakfast today will be yogurt with blueberry applesauce and granola on top.
Just had a piece of toast topped with sliced hard boiled egg. Yum!
I’m about to dig into a Trader Joe’s vanilla bean Greek yogurt. Can’t wait!
First of all, that pasta looks awesome (except for pecans, which I don’t like but could easily replace with walnuts!)
My breakfast today was a breakfast burrito with onions, potatoes, red peppers, eggs, feta, and soy breakfast sausage. It was pretty good!
I just got done eating maple and brown sugar oatmeal with some vanilla protein powder. It’s a standard re-fueler after my morning workout.
I had some lemon greek yogurt topped with blueberries and a banana for breakfast. Would have loved some eggs though!
That pasta recipe looked awesome! It has all things I like except for Gorgonzola(bleh). Id use Feta instead. 🙂 Congrats on your accomplishment! My breakfast this am was rushed one. Bowl of strawberry miniwheats with almond milk. lol
I had an English muffin drizzled with honey and a glass of soy milk! I love Larabars!
This morning I had a Banana Graham Muffin for breakfast (http://www.alidaskitchen.com/2011/12/banana-graham-muffins.html) … and some hazelnut coffee with almond milk, mmm 🙂
I am so excited about both of these giveaways. I always buy Eggland’s Best. The idea of a stuffed egg is delightful!
And I’ve been wanting to try Larabars, but I just haven’t gotten around to buying any yet. This would be a great introduction for me.
String cheese, apple and Balance Bar
I had stovetop oats with blueberries and cinnamon!
Greek Yogurt mess – yogurt, protein powder, ground flax and some cinnamon puffins. Yummm.
I’m having my standard plain yogurt with strawberries and raspberries. I’ve already had my morning coffee and am about to grab a cup of hot tea, as well.
I am about to scramble up some eggs. YUM! 🙂
How cute your dad helped set the scene!
I had a green protein smoothie today.
This morning I had oat bran with a mashed banana!
That pasta looks delicious! I’d have to replace the gorgonzola with maybe feta or parmesan.
This morning I had quinoa with a little peanut butter, honey, and almond milk. Sort of unconventional but still tasty! Oh and 1/2 a banana (:
The magic bullet is my best friend in law school! I made a smoothie with greek yogurt, kale, strawberries, mango, banana, and orange juice! Good breakfast smoothie
I had an omelet and a bagel thin with cinnamon laughing cow cream cheese and fresh pineapple! also that pasta looks amazing. that has like 4 of my favorite things all in one dish!
Who complains about garlic? It’s one of the finest seasoning choices out there! I adore brussels sprouts, but I’ve never put them in pasta – what a great idea!
I’m having a bowl of Kashi Strawberry Fields cereal and a banana, but after looking through your breakfast recipes I wish I was having creme brulee french toast!!
That pasta dish looks great! I’m a recent convert to Brussels sprouts – I never cared for them until I had them at a tapas place – roasted in olive oil with sea salt – and now I can’t get enough.
For breakfast today I had some toast with a dab of honey before my workout, and a 1/2 serving of fiber one with a sliced banana and skim milk after. Plus coffee, of course.
These giveaways are great!
Home canned applesauce, bananas and whole wheat toast. Oh and don’t forget the orange juice. Breakfast with my granddaughter this morning was great!
Congratulations on your milestone, I have recommended your blog to so many.
I just bought Brussels sprouts yesterday! Going to do this one tonight, love your recipe ideas.
Have a great weekend
I HAD an Oat Chocolate Fiber One Bar at work… i WISH I had my new obsession, some poached eggs! MMM! Congrats on your 7 figures!
Today’s breakfast was oatmeal with a few raisins, chopped pecans, apple butter and a little almond milk. (oh and a couple of shakes of ground flax seed)
It’s one of my new fav ways to make oatmeal. The teaspoon of apple butter gives it the perfect amount of sweetness that I don’t have to add any sweetener, honey, etc.
Egg sandwich.. eeeevery day! today’s featured a microwave “egg puff” with a slice of melted cheddar and grape jam on a toasted english muffin. Sweet + salty, and I could eat it every day. Oh wait, I do 😉
Thanks for all of these giveways, and congrats again on your 1,000,000 view!!
Oatmeal with banana, chia seeds, peanut butter, and blueberries. YUM!
Today I broke every rule in the book and had a slice of blueberry pie for breakfast. My excuse is that my neighbour baked it for me and I would feel bad if I didn’t finish it off.
Today for breakfast I had a whole wheat bagel thin with natural peanut butter and a banana and coffee. One of my favorites!
Today was a refreshing summery protein smoothie with 1% milk, vanilla protein powder,strawberries,mango, pineapple and peaches. So good!
I had Honey Bunches of Oats with soymilk. Boring, but yummy!
I totally love that the pasta uses shredded up brussels sprouts!
Breakfast today was ONE hard boiled egg ( nope, not egglands best, but if I win it will be!) and one serving of Bob’s Redmill hot mulitgrain cereal and an apple. 🙂
oh, and to make it easier on you if I win so you don’t have to look it up…my email is mykitchenadventures(at) yahoo ( dot) come! 🙂
I had a Thomas’ Cinnamon Raisin Bagel Thin with Laughing Cow cream cheese and coffee. No wonder I was hungry by 10.
Great giveaway! I had a cappuccino and raspberry yogurt.
This sounds SO good. Gorgonzola scares me, so I might use something different, but I definitely have to make this.
This morning I had oatmeal for breakfast. Broccoli and cheese oatmeal to be specific.
Mmm! I love brussell sprouts but wouldn’t have thought to add them to pasta.
I had an egg white omlette with spinach, leftover ham and swiss.
Congrats on your blog milestone! This recipe is right up my husband’s alley and we have everything on hand even. I think it will be happening this weekend.
My favorite post-workout breakfast that can be eaten at my desk once I get to work was my breakfast this morning. Oats soaked overnight in milk and greek yogurt with protein powder, chia seeds and cocoa powder, then topped off with frozen raspberries just before I leave the house. It has my 30 g of protein and almost 10 g of fiber to keep me satisfied all morning when paired with a tall non-fat latte for about 400 calories which isn’t too bad after 30 minutes of interval training and 45 minutes of weight lifting.
That pasta sounds great!
I had oatmeal for breakfast today like usual, today it was made with 1/2 a banana for sweetness, an egg for protein, strawberries and blueberries, and a little bit of ricotta stirred in at the end because I have some left in the fridge. Yum!
I had leftovers from last night for breakfast! Tri color pasta with chicken, onions, peppers and broccoli. Yum!
This morning I had 2 egg whites and one slice of american cheese on a kaiser roll.
greek yogurt with cantelope and chia seeds. yum!
I love brussels sprouts! My usual breakfast is yogurt with a sliced banana and some granola. But today I was in a hurry, so I just grabbed a granola bar on my way out the door!
My SIL loves brussel spouts – this is definitely going on her lunch menu next week! I had another breakfast parfait – this time with honey Chobani, oranges, strawberries and my fruit puree granola!
http://mybizzykitchen.com/2012/04/13/happy-friday-10/
Happy Friday!
Today breakfast was oatmeal squares cereal with skim milk and a clementine. Tomorrow’s will be slightly more fun as Saturday is dutch baby day in my house!
I had two homemade biscuits from the school cafeteria.
I had a South Beach bar for breakfast.
The recipes sounds wonderful. I love Brussels sprouts.
As for breakfast, I had a piece of homemade bread with butter that one of my coworkers brought to work.
I had a Pomegranate Chobani with chia seeds and a cup of coffee for breakfast today. I was hungry about an hour and a half later, so I had some cereal too.
Kashi Heart to Heart cereal with soy milk.
Strawberries and walnuts for me and an egg “roll-up” with avocado for belle! She wants to say hi to lily!!
I had Oatmeal with walnuts, peanut butter and a banana. I also wanted to say congrats on your milestone! Your blog has been a wonderful a site that got me through a tough time and, its filled with easier cooking ideas that I feel like I can make. I always get excited when I see a new post! so Thank you for your giveaways but, most importantly thank you for sharing your life and recipes!
Oats + chocolate protein powder + banana 🙂
I had eggs scrambled with leftover spaghetti noodles, garlic, pepper and tomatoes 🙂
Congrats on your blogging milestone! And I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
I love eggs and toast for breakfast!
Slow cooked oatmeal with blackberries and flax seeds – great giveaway and congratulations again:)
I ate a Red Velvet donut with cream cheese icing, yum!
For breakfast this morning I tried an egg white omlet with bacon, tomato, spinach, mushroom, onion, bell pepper, and jalapenos from the cafe at work… I could get used to it 😉
Leftover coconut cream pie! Not super healthy, but it sure was tasty!
Today I had some homemade, delicious, unreal tasting greek style yogurt painstakingly made in small batches by a good friend of mine, with some blueberries thrown in to the mix= DELISH.
I’d have to say brekkie is my fave meal of the day….so really…anything goes!
Congrats again!!!
Spelt english muffin with sunbutter, banana, and chia seeds – yum! Tasty AND filling.
I had a toasted whole wheat english muffin with natural peanut butter and cinnamon! Simple, but delicious
That looks so good!
I had an egg frittata for breakfast – yum
You’re being so amazing with the giveaways!! I had yoghurt with some All Bran Buds, ground flax and half a banana. It’s the breakfast I have 90% of the time. I do now have vegan overnight oats! Don’t have to worry about making breakfast in the morning!!
i had oatmeal! yum!
I had some Bob’s Red Mill Muesli cereal in almond milk 🙂
I’m having Greek yogurt with flaxseed mixed in and cereal on top.
Oatmeal with almond butter and berries! Delish!
Today is my boyfriend’s birthday…for breakfast, we are having whole wheat pancakes and maple syrup 🙂
I’m having a banana, oatmeal, and hard boiled egg!!
So far my breakfast today is just a cup of cinnamon coffee, but making some variation of banana bread is on the docket for today.
I actually just had my first Lara bar today for breakfast and it was delicious!
I’m having oatmeal with fresh picked blackberries.
I had the last of my leftover carrot cake waffles for breakfast today. And now I’m thinking about changing my dinner plans for tonight, this dish looks great.
How fun!
For breakfast this morning I had a multigrain bagel with natural peanut butter, plus a big cup of strong coffee with milk and a little sugar.
For breakfast I had some high fiber/high protein cereal with cut up banana, chia seeds and unsweetened coconut almond milk…so good.
For breakfast I had a smoothie with 1/4 cup frozen pineapple 1/4 cantaloupe a teeny banana and about a cup or so of pumpkin pie flavored seltzer It was drinkable but NOT good
Today’s breakfast included peanut butter & dark chocolate overnight oats, along with half a grapefruit and some berries! DELICIOUS!
Oooh, yummy, we just had a pasta dish with roasted brussels sprouts last night 😀 I have to say I just threw a bunch of things in a pan and it wasn’t as amazing as I thought it would be. This, however, looks totally awesome!
For breakfast this morning I just had fruit, mango and orange. Yeah, I should have balanced that meal out a little better, haha. I love fruit all the time, but I’m totally blaming pregnancy for more than one meal in the last week being just fruit 😀
i had green monster overnight oats 🙂
This recipe sounds delicious! We had scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.
Cereal and plain Greek yogurt…kind of boring, but pretty good!
I had a blueberry bagel with strawberry cream cheese. 🙂
Congrats again — a MAJOR achievement! I had oatmeal with fruit for breakfast yesterday, but plan to have eggs this a.m.!!!
For breakfast, I had 2 egg whites on top of cheesy toast! Yummy!
I’m visiting my parents this weekend, and my mom made homemade waffles. Breakfast is so much better when someone makes it for you.
I had a breakfast of an egg over easy and some toast. Simple, but oh so delicious. 😀
I had scrambled eggs w/ salsa and strawberries and grapes.
I had a baked potato. I woke up late and that is what sounded good. I usually have granola though.
I had for breakfast: 2 whole grain waffles with syrup, rice milk and a granole bar
I had oatmeal and egg whites (cooked into the oats…I’m weird) topped with cinnamon and a little glob of natural pb…yummmm
I had scrambled tofu/w/cinnamin and blueberries! Super bestest breakfast!
I had a smoothie in a bowl…seemed like the right day for it since it’s going to be in the 90s!