Baked Ziti with Zucchini, Chickpeas, and Olives

• 8 oz. whole wheat ziti, rigatoni, or penne pasta
• 1/2 lb. zucchini, coarsely chopped (2 cups)
• 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas, or
• 1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano, juices included
• 1 cup tomato purée
• 1/4 cup chopped green olives, divided
• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 1 Tbs. tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
• 2 Tbs. Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 11- x 7-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Cook ziti according to package directions for al dente in large pot of boiling salted water. Drain, rinse under cold water, and drain again. Return ziti to pot, and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, combine zucchini, chickpeas, tomatoes and juices, tomato purée, 2 Tbs. olives, oil, tomato paste, and garlic in large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 5 minutes, or until sauce begins to thicken, stirring occasionally. Stir zucchini mixture into ziti, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.
4. Transfer ziti mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and remaining 2 Tbs. olives. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until pasta is heated through and breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Serves: 6

Serving: 1/6 of casserole dish

Calories: 349

Fat: 9g

Protein: 14.5g

Carb: 53g

***1/2 (Star-rating out of 5) From the meat-eating, fast-food-loving husband

****1/2 (Star-rating out of 5) From me

I made this for dinner tonight. The husband actually said it was pretty good. I think he gave it 3-1/2 stars because he's not a big fan of beans with pasta but he knows I always like to throw in protein with each meal so he's trying to get used to it. I thought it was delicious! I love, love, love green olives and think they give everything a nice flavor but you can substitute black olives if you prefer.

Roasted Vegetable Wrap

• 12 thin asparagus spears, trimmed
• 1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch strips (1 cup)
• 1 small yellow pepper, cut into 1/2-inch strips (1 cup)
• 1 small zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds (1 cup)
• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/2 cup white beans
• 1 small clove garlic, minced (1/2 tsp.)
• 1/2 tsp. red chile sauce, such as sriracha
• 2 8-inch whole-grain tortillas
• 6 small whole basil leaves
• 8 thin slices red onion
• 1 cup baby arugula leaves

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450 F. Toss together asparagus, bell peppers, zucchini, onions and oil in a large bowl and then spread evenly on large baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cook for 15 minutes and then check- vegetables should start looking brown or caramelized. If not done- keep cooking and checking veggies every 5 minutes until done.
2. Mash together beans, garlic, and chile sauce in small bowl until smooth.
3. Spread half of bean mixture over each tortilla. Top each with 3 basil leaves, 1/2 cup roasted vegetables, and 1/2 cup arugula. Fold bottom third of tortillas over vegetables, and roll up tightly, tucking in sides as you go. Cut wraps in half on diagonal. Serve immediately, or wrap each half in foil or wax paper, and chill until ready to eat.

Serves 2

Serving: One whole wrap

Calories: 228

Fat: 3g

Protein: 11g

Carb: 51g

**** (Star-rating out of 5)

Made this for dinner- husband liked, but didn't love, but said he would eat it again. When I asked why he didn't love it his answer was "it's not Chipotle". Oh well- can't win em all!!!