Delicious Whole Grain Pasta

(NC)—Preparing a great-tasting meal doesn’t have to be difficult – and you don’t need to pass up on great taste in order to create a healthy dish. Celebrity chef Scott Conant, one of New York’s most beloved chefs, is a firm believer that healthy doesn’t have to mean bland.

“Sharing great tasting meals with loved ones is something I really value,” says Scott Conant, creator of Toronto’s Scarpetta restaurant. “Whether I’m preparing meals for my family, friends or guests at my restaurants, I aim to serve healthier options that deliver on taste and quality. I often prefer to cook with Barilla whole grain pasta as it allows everyone to enjoy all the health benefits of whole grains, without sacrificing taste or quality.”

For a healthy, yet delicious Italian pasta dish, Scott Conant’s Whole Grain Penne with Butternut Squash, Mushrooms and Piave Cheese is a perfect choice.

Whole Grain Penne with Butternut Squash, Mushrooms and Piave Cheese

Serves 4-6

1 package Barilla whole grain penne

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 cups butternut squash, 4 cm dice

1 cup oyster mushrooms

1 tbsp chives, shaved fine

1/8 cup Piave cheese, grated (may be substituted with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese)

Salt (to taste)

In a large sauté pan, add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan and allow it to get hot over medium heat.  Season the butternut squash with salt and sauté until lightly golden brown.

While the squash cooks, cook the penne according to package directions, but remove from flame just before the pasta is al dente. Drain. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta cooking liquid when draining, set aside.

Add oyster mushrooms to the pan with the squash. Add the pasta cooking liquid and continue to cook for a few minutes, allowing the flavours to develop.

Combine pasta in the pan with squash and oyster mushrooms. Cook until pasta is al dente and remove from flame.

Finish the dish with chives and grated piave cheese.

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