Happy Daughters' Day 2024: A Protein-Packed Pasta Recipe For Your Fitness Enthusiast Daughter

Daughters hold a special place in a parent's heart. If you have a daughter, you've likely experienced the love, joy, tears, and wisdom she brings into your life and to those around her.

As we celebrate Happy Daughters Day 2024, it's the perfect opportunity to show your love by putting on your apron and preparing this delicious, protein-packed pasta dish.

Not only is it a treat for your fitness enthusiasts daughter's taste buds, but it's also a great way to promote fitness and well-being.

Ingredients

ONE-POT PASTA:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 500g/ 1 lb beef mince (ground beef) (Note 1)
• 1 carrot, medium, shredded using box grater (I keep skin on) 
• 1 zucchini, medium, shredded using box grater (Note 2)
• 1 red capsicum (bell pepper), chopped (Note 2)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 800g/ 28 oz canned crushed tomato
• 400g/ 14 oz kidney beans , drained (or other beans of choice, can omit)
• 2 cups chicken stock/broth, low sodium (sub beef stock)
• 2 cups water (just regular tap water!)
• 350g / 12 oz (3 cups) elbow pasta (macaroni), spirals, penne, ziti, small shells, rigatoni or similar size, uncooked (Note 3)
• 1 1/2 cups (tightly packed) colby cheese or other melting cheese of choice, preferably freshly shredded (melts better)
• 1 green onion stem, finely sliced (optional garnish)

CAJUN SPICES:

• 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 1/2 tbsp paprika (sweet/regular, not smoked or spicy)
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, optional (faintly spicy)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 1/4 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt

Instructions

• Heat the oil in a large heavy based pot with a lid over high heat.

• Cook vegetables – Cook the onion and garlic for 2 minutes. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up as you go, until you no longer see red meat. Add the carrot and zucchini, cook for 2 minutes until the water they release mostly evaporates. Add the capsicum and cook for 2 minutes.

• Spices – Add the tomato paste and Cajun Spices. Cook for 1 minute.

• Pasta sauce – Add the canned tomato, water (I swill the cans clean), stock and beans. Mix and bring to a simmer.

• Add the pasta, stir, let it come back up to the simmer. Put the lid on and lower the heat slightly to medium so the liquid is simmering (not bubbling madly).

• Cook for 15 minutes, stirring every few minutes so the base doesn't catch. The pasta should be a bit firmer than you want in the middle, and still a bit soupy which is good! Liquid gets absorbed in the next step.

• Melt cheese – Give it a stir, smooth the surface, sprinkle with cheese. Put the lid on then turn the stove off (leave the pot on the stove). Leave for 3 minutes so the residual heat melts the cheese and the pasta finishes cooking.

• Serve – Remove from the stove, sprinkle with green onion if desired, then serve immediately while saucy and the cheese is gooey!


(Recipe credit: recipetineats.com)