Dreamfields Pasta review: Rotini with Ground Beef and Spinach recipe

My friend, Michelle, and I were talking about healthy meals the other day. She mentioned that she’d like to use whole wheat pasta but that her husband hates the taste and texture. I know a lot of kids who feel the same way.

So what’s a mom to do on spaghetti night? Well, she can try a high fiber pasta like Ronzoni (see my Ronzoni pasta review here) or a low carb one like Atkins (see my Atkins pasta review here). Or even better, a high fiber pasta that has fewer digestible carbs and a lower glycemic index than regular pasta like Dreamfields. It’s a great pasta for diabetics or anyone who is trying to get more fiber in their diet or eat products with a low GI. (Go to the Dreamfields Pasta Healthy Nutrition FAQs page for more information.)

Dreamfields Pasta review

I’m no stranger to Dreamfields having reviewed it back in 2007. But since it had been awhile, I was happy to try the sample box of Angel Hair their PR person sent out. I wondered if such a fragile, thin noodle would cook up as well as regular pasta. It did!

But what about the “if your grandmother didn’t cook with it, don’t eat it” test? Well, it does have inulin, a natural fruit and vegetable fiber found in foods like artichokes, asparagus, garlic and raisins. It’s a prebiotic fiber, which means it has “good” bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli) that could help to improve digestive health and promote a healthy immune system. (Learn more about inulin on the Dreamfields website.) So definitely more processed than standard or whole wheat pasta, but with some additional health benefits. You decide if it’s worth the tradeoff.

Cooking with Dreamfields Pasta

I bought a few more boxes of their other pasta products to try out a few recipes like this one:

Rotini with Ground Beef & Spinach

Makes 6 main dish servings

Ingredients:

• 1 box Dreamfields Rotini, Penne Rigate or Elbows
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound (90%) lean ground beef
• 1 can (8 ounces) no salt added tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 package (10 ounces) spinach leaves, shredded
• 1/4 cup shredded fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt (optional)
• 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in large heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook onion and garlic 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add beef; cook until no longer pink, stirring and breaking beef into pieces.
3. Stir in tomato sauce and oregano. Continue cooking 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add spinach, basil and red pepper flakes; continue cooking 3 minutes. Season with salt, if desired.
4. Drain pasta. Add to skillet; toss with beef mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Tips:

• A 10-ounce package of frozen chopped spinach thawed and well-drained can be substituted for fresh spinach.
• Substitute ground venison or turkey for the lean ground beef.

Nutrition information per serving (1/6 of recipe):

401 calories; 27 g protein; 14 g digestible carbohydrates*; 11 g total fat; 4 g saturated fat; 49 mg cholesterol; 178 mg sodium; 8 g total dietary fiber.

More on Dreamfields pasta

• Dreamfields on Facebook
• Register for the Dreamfields enewsletter to get a $1 off coupon.
• Dreamfields store locator
• Dreamfields is currently sponsoring, "Who's Your DFF?" Many of us have a BFF (Best Friend Forever) that we look to for laughs, encouragement and support. But those with diabetes or pre-diabetes also need someone who can be a friend and understand a diabetic lifestyle. That’s what they call a DFF – Diabetes Friend Forever. Nominate your DFF at diabetesfriendsforever.com for a chance to win one of 19 prize packages including the Grand Prize valued at more than $10,000!

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Disclosure: I was sent one box of Dreamfields Angel Hair pasta to facilitate this review.

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