For the past month, I’ve been so focused on the beginning of the school year; getting all of my kids school supplies in order, new school clothes, and making sure they have everything they need to start the school year off right. There is so much on my plate now with homework, sports, dance, and after-school fun, I am trying to not miss a beat. As parents, our singular goal is to protect our children and I can’t imagine the fear and anxiety parents feel when they don’t have enough to feed their family. I fight back tears just thinking that one in five New Yorkers is food insecure. That is why I am proud to partner with Barillaยฎ for the “Go Orange To End Hunger” campaign. September is Hunger Action Month and the food bank For New York City, the city’s major hunger relief organization, is launching its 11th annual month long Go Orange to End Hungerย campaign presented by Barillaยฎ. During the week of September 12, 2016, Barillaยฎ will donate 500,000 meals to Food Bank for New York City and stop in each of the five boroughs to give away 20,000 “Recipe for Wonderful” pasta dinner kits to New Yorkers. Barillaยฎ pasta is a staple in our houseโฆand not just because we have Italian roots. Pasta is an inexpensive, easy and quick meal that kids love. With all the school chaos it is important for moms to have a few super easy dinners on reserve that their kids will happily eat without resistance. My kids are great eaters and are always willing to try new things. My kids will eat anything with pasta including protein, veggies, and greens. Pasta can get a bad wrap because it is a carb, but it is a good carb and is part of a healthy Mediterranean diet. Sticking to a healthy portion size combined with nutritious fats, veggies and proteins, pasta can supply you with nutrients your body needs. Especially growing little bodies! We have been exclusively eating gluten-free pasta because of Ryder’s gluten allergy. Barillaยฎ launched their Gluten Free line in 2014 and I have to sayโit is delish. The Gluten Free assortment includes linguini, spaghetti, penne, rotini and elbows. One of my favorite pasta recipes to cook for the kids, is one that was given to me by my friend Jennifer from Tastefully Childish. She made my family this dish when Siella was born nearly five years ago. We all loved it so much, it’s now in constant rotation in my house.
Penne Pasta w/ Chicken:
1 Box of Barillaยฎ Pasta (bow ties or rigatoni are our favorites)
4 boneless chicken breasts, cut bite size
1 clove garlic crushed
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1 90z jar of sundried tomatoes, cut julienne
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp oil from sundried tomatoes
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
fresh basil
Cook pasta as directed on back of the box. In a separate pan, saute chicken pieces, adding in the fresh garlic, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and oil. Cook chicken through. Mix pasta with chicken, adding sundried tomatoes, and topping with parmesan cheese and fresh basil. I sometimes add frozen spinach or broccoli to the pasta while it is boiling as well. Enjoy! Join me and the Food Bank For New York City and #GoOrangeWithBarilla by volunteering at your local soup kitchen and donating if you can Barillaยฎ will donate an additional pasta serving for every person who donates at one of the events, advocates online using the hashtag and signing up to volunteer on the spot.. Let’s make a difference together and spread the word.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Barilla. The opinions and text are all mine.
14 thoughts on “Giving Back With Pasta”
I love what Barilla is doing to help combat hunger! There are so many families out there who don’t know where they’ll get their next meal.
I love to see companies using their clout to give back like this. I also love that you showcased that pasta doesn’t have to be the enemy.
I love when companies do things like this! Barilla is my favorite pasta company and I love that their gluten free noodles taste just like regular noodles!
I love that there are companies that will help others while giving a great gluten free option.
We love Barilla pasta. I love them even more now knowing that they are helping to feed the hungry. What a great campaign!
Barilla has a wonderful assortment of pasta. I love their Protein Plus line of products. The Veggie is yummy too.
We live near two churches, and both have food banks attached. Seeing that there are people in need and there are kind people willing to help has been visible to my kids their whole lives. I love that I can share another way to give back with them thanks to Barilla.
This is such a lovely thing to do for the community. Pasta is perfect for people who need the carbs especially if they haven’t been eating properly. I think it’s a great dish and it’s perfect for feeding the hungry. I admire you for being part of an awesome campaign that helps people.
Not only does that look like one delicious recipe. I also love what the company is doing to give back.
As a Mom who doesn’t LIKE to cook, pasta is an easy to prepare dish for me. Like you, we add protein and a few veggies. Our son loves it!
This sounds delicious! I love pasta.
it looks so simple but delicious. I’d cook pasta everyday with great simple ideas like this
My favorite paste is penne! If I was a mom I would sneak veggies in there too!
So yummy! Barilla pasta is my go-to as well! I love the texture and quality!