Sometimes, ok a lot of times, I'm stressed, tired, hungry, and in no mood to cook something real. I crave comfort food, and for me that means pasta.

After finding some new healthier types of pasta and learning a new great trick for upping the volume and nutritional value, I now have pasta a few times a week.

I combine a few of my favorite things, and in under 10 minutes dinner is served!

Spelt pasta. I buy this at Earthfare and I prefer it over all other pasta options. Spelt has many nutritional benefits over whole wheat pasta: "It offers a broader spectrum of nutrients compared to many of its more inbred cousins in the Triticum (wheat) family. Spelt features a host of different nutrients. It is an excellent source of vitamin B2, a very good source of magnese, and a good source of niacin, thiamin, and copper." (source: WHFoods Spelt) Not only is it healthier for you, it also has a more similar texture to "regular" pasta, and it is fairly inexpensive.

I begin by boiling some salted water and cooking the pasta according to the directions on the box. I try to make extra for quick meals later!

Broccoli slaw. They sell it at TJs like below, and also at regular grocery stores in the baby carrot/bagged veggies section. I usually get 2 portions out of each bag. I freeze it right when I get it so that it doesn't go bad.


I put half of in a microwave container, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for 2-3 minutes until the slaw is thawed and warm. If you overcook it, it will turn brown and yucky.


While the pasta is cooking, I go ahead and drain the broc slaw.


Then I pull out my absolute favorite meatless meat product, Trader Joe's balls as discovered from SnackFace. These babies are delicious on their own, dipped in ketchup, or in this pasta dish!

I microwave them for a minute and a half.


I strain the pasta (or get it out of the fridge) and combine it with the broc slaw, balls, favorite pasta sauce, and microwave for another 30 seconds or so to make sure the sauce is warm. I use a pretty small portion of pasta and a lot of broccoli slaw so I'm getting in a lot of veggies and a little complex carbs to balance the meal. The broccoli slaw really bulks up the meal and makes it SO filling!


Mix it up and top with nutritional yeast or parm and pine nuts.


Delicious, quick, nutritionally balanced - yum! You have vegetables from the broccoli slaw and sauce, smart carbs from the pasta and meatless balls, protein from the meatless meatballs and nutritional yeast, and healthy fat from the sauce and pine nuts.

Usually, I serve with a small salad and a glass of wine :)

What is your go-to healthy comfort meal?