Now matter how my eating patterns shift around to accommodate changes in schedule, the demands of recipe testing, or the pace of my life, my lunch bowls tend to remain the same. This isn’t to say that the ingredients are always the same, or that I always choose similar combinations of foods. I try to switch up my veggies, legumes, and grains as much as possible as the seasons change. But to enjoy a wholesome and comforting midday bowl of food has become as cherished a food ritual as I’ve ever had, and while I know that my schedule won’t always allow me to eat lunch at home, I’m relishing the habit while it lasts.
These easy lemon pepper tempeh and vegetable pasta bowls are my new favorite addition to the lunchtime (or anytime) routine. I’ve been doing a lot of easy pasta salads this summer, and these bowls are sort of a variation on that theme, though the extent to which you mix the ingredients up is totally up to you. You can layer or arrange them as in the photo above, or you can mix everything together before you even serve the dish. Either way, it’s all good.
One of the star ingredients in these easy bowls is my favorite lemon pepper tempeh cubes, which have become a staple weekly ingredient around here. I bake them up and throw them in bowls, salads, pop them into breakfast tostadas, or even pop a couple in my mouth when I’m in the mood for a hearty and protein-dense afternoon snack. They’re so easy to make and so satisfying, and they present me with an easy way to eat more tempeh, which is such an incredibly nutrient-dense plant food: each serving is rich in protein, fiber, and iron.
For the purposes of these bowls, I cut the tempeh into slightly smaller pieces than usual (easier for mixing) and seasoned the cooked pasta and roasted veggies with lemon and pepper, too. The result is a hearty, colorful, summery pasta bowl that can be served hot or cool. Feel free to mix up the vegetables you use for roasting: the eggplant, pepper, and zucchini trio is my summertime go-to, but tomatoes, radishes, onions, and beets would all be awesome, too.
There’s my bowl, all mixed up and looking mighty appetizing.
Adaptability is the key to a great bowl, so feel free to try these with orzo, rice, or another cooked grain in place of the pasta. Steamed kale or other greens would also be a nice change of pace from the spinach or the arugula, though I do love the crunch that the fresh greens add to the bowl! No matter what, I hope you enjoy the recipe.
I’m looking forward to the end of the week, and as always, to sharing some reads and recipe finds with you on Sunday. Take care.
xo
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i love “bowls” as meals, but i’ve never actually used pasta in them! it would be good with shells, i love the idea 🙂
I can’t wait to try this tempeh recipe!!!
Wow – sounds like such a great bowl, filled with everything. I have a feeling it will become one of my lunch-time favourites =)
I have been eating some sort of big salad/bowl of veggie goodness every day for lunch at work for years! My husband has a sensitive stomach and can’t handle tons of stuff thrown into one bowl, so I cherish the opportunity to create different concoctions for myself every week. Definitely going to throw the lemon-pepper tempeh into the mix!!!
This looks like such an amazing blend of flavours and textures for summer! I’ve yet to try tempeh but it’s very tempting when I see recipes like this 🙂
Akino | akinokiki.blogspot.ca
I’m loving how simple and fresh this must taste!