Pasta time, but make it plant-based

Sponsored by @BarillaUS by all opinions are my own.

We've been slowly making changes in our diet to incorporate more plant-based foods. There are SO many benefits of eating a plant-based diet.

We've tried a few plant-based pastas but were never wowed. I couldn't even convince Lincoln to eat some of them because of the taste.

Enter Barilla®, an Italian family-owned food company. Barilla has been crafting pasta for 140 years in Italy, so you might say they are experts.

Lincoln has been eating pasta for 4 years in Austin, Texas. You might say she's an expert in being picky, but also ridiculously cute.

Both have a passion for pasta so let's see what happens when they come together.

We found our Barilla® Chickpea Rotini in the pasta aisle of @Walmart.

Here's why I wanted to try it:

- gluten free and non-GMO Project Verified

- made with one simple ingredient I can actually pronounce — chickpeas

- delicious way to eat more legumes

- sneaks in fiber and plant-based protein to my picky toddler's diet

Lincoln and I made Barilla® Chickpea Rotini with pasta sauce. Yes, it was so easy even I could make it! This is a perfect busy weeknight meal for us as it's simple, quick, nutritious, tasty and toddler approved.

We used Barilla®'s latest Vero Gusto® pasta sauce. It's made from tomatoes grown in Italy, in the heart of the Mediterranean. Each sauce is made with a simple list of ingredients, nothing artificial and no added sugar. It's the perfect addition to Barilla® Chickpea Rotini.

We kept it simple, because that's how this toddler eats. Barilla® Chickpea Rotini would also be great as a foundation in any pasta dish or added to salads and soups. This better-for-you pasta is an easy swap with more protein and fiber!

Ok, it was time for Lincoln to try her pasta after all her hard work making it. I'll be honest, I was afraid she was going to know the ingredients were different and refuse to eat it. After all, that's happened every other time she tried a plant-based pasta.

Well as you can see by that messy face and enthusiastic smile, this little girl LOVED her pasta. Mama loved it even more knowing it's a meal that is good for my family and good for the planet.