spicy penne with roasted vegetables and balsamic

With this amazing gathering of vegetables and spices, you’ll feel full in the stomach and full of yourself. This is a simple and yet gourmet dish to bring to the table.
Get it girl.
Get these veggies in the oven.
Relax. Do dishes.
Do anything but worry about the flavor this meal will bring.
With a little kick of spice and a lot of love you’ll be amazed at how simple it is to create and you’ll be able to tailor it by adding your own favorite flavors next time.
Asparagus?
Thyme?
Green beans?!
The possibilities are really endless.

I realized recently while feeding my ‘man beast’ (boyfriend) that sometimes bulk within a meal (and boyfriend) is needed. Pasta in the form of complex carbohydrates does not do the trick. You  need to fill the space with things more meaningful to your diet – vegetables.

Serves 6

1 lb                     penne pasta (gluten free), brown rice
1 1/2 cups          acorn squash, cubed
1/2  lb                 portobello mushrooms, slices ( stemmed)
1/2  pint              red cherry tomatoes, halved
1     tbsp              garlic, minced
1/2  tbsp              rosemary, minced
1/2  tbsp              sage, minced
1/2  tbsp              parsley, chopped
1/2  tbsp              ground salt
1/2  tbsp               ground pepper
1/4  tbsp               red pepper flakes
4     tbsp               olive oil
4     tbsp               white balsamic vinegar

*Serve pasta sauce alongside this dish to “dip” pasta bites in, and to make it look extra special :}