Whole Grain Pasta with Grilled Vegetables

Ingredients

• 12 oz whole grain pasta (penne, fusilli, or your choice)
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 zucchini, sliced
• 1 eggplant, cubed
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta:
   1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   2. Add the whole grain pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
   3. Drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Prepare the Vegetables:
   1. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
   2. In a large bowl, toss the red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, zucchini, eggplant, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp of olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
   3. Grill the vegetables for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until they are tender and have nice grill marks.
   4. Remove the vegetables from the grill and set aside.
3. Combine Pasta and Vegetables:
   1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta and grilled vegetables.
   2. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil and toss to coat.
4. Serve:
   1. Divide the pasta and vegetable mixture among serving plates.
   2. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, if using, and garnish with fresh basil leaves.
   3. Serve immediately.

Shopping List

• Whole grain pasta
• Red bell pepper
• Yellow bell pepper
• Zucchini
• Eggplant
• Red onion
• Cherry tomatoes
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Dried oregano
• Dried basil
• Salt and pepper
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)