The ZENB Guide to Breakfast
Even the most vigilant breakfast champion sometimes has a day where the best they can do is slam a bowl of cereal or grab a granola bar on the way out the door. But, when that happens, it can set a wonky tone for the day, with a glucose energy spike followed by a sluggish feeling, then a rush of hunger (or worse, hanger 😬) soon after. The best way to avoid this situation, especially on hectic mornings, is to have a few easy savory, nutrient-dense breakfast ideas up your sleeve.
We know our ZENB community is always ready to think outside the box, so why not apply that culinary curiosity to breakfast? There are so many more options to explore beyond oatmeal, smoothies, eggs, and bacon. The same ZENB favorites you love for a fuss-free, healthy lunch or dinner can be enjoyed for the first meal of the day. Yes: We’re saying eat pasta for breakfast!
Here’s our guide to super-tasty, nourishing, and quick-cooking breakfasts that incorporate ZENB pasta, and plenty of vegetables, of course!
ZENB Pasta Bowls
If you have three minutes to spare in the morning, you’ve got time for a ZENB Pasta Bowl! Available in an array of bold, aromatic flavors, these deliver a complete, gluten-free, plant-based meal in a flash. The foundation is Pasta Agile, our quick-cooking yellow pea pasta made from one simple ingredient: 100% yellow peas, including the skins. To that, we add real vegetables and seasonings inspired by cuisines from around the world. Pasta Bowl flavors include Tomato Basil Pesto, Zesty Garlic Spinach, Mexican Street Corn, and Red Pepper Harissa. Add half of a hard-boiled egg or some cubes of roasted tofu for an extra pop of protein.
ZENB Pasta Bowls can cook up while you’re packing your school or work bag, or, if you’re really short on time, pack up a Bowl to take with you and make this on-the-go meal at the office!
ZENB Ramen
Once you try this glorious combination of chewy ZENB ramen noodles and umami-rich broth, you might just have a new favorite breakfast! Ramen is actually a common breakfast in regions across Japan, and it makes a lot of sense: It’s comforting, warming, and hearty, a perfect way to greet the day. ZENB Ramen is a better-for-you alternative to packaged noodles; we’re talking gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO, with 18 grams protein and 11 or 12 grams of fiber (depending on the flavor) per serving! Our ramen comes in three popular classic Japanese flavors: Vegan Tonkotsu, Shoyu, and Spicy Miso. To enjoy a few more veggies, stir in some chopped scallions and herbs and a handful of spinach to the hot soup.
ZENB Breakfast Pasta Bake
Another way to get ahead of weekday breakfast is to prep a dish on Sunday that can be enjoyed throughout the week. Our ZENB Breakfast Pasta Bake is an A+ candidate for a make-ahead meal with cozy casserole vibes. It combines a trio of Italian chicken sausage, eggs, and melty mozzarella with the wholesomeness of ZENB Elbows Pasta, making it an egg-cellent (sorry! It’s the rule that you have to have one egg pun per breakfast blog post!) meal that can be reheated in a snap.
ZENB Elbows Pasta Frittata
If you like frittatas, but always kind of wish they had a bit more substance, then say hello to the ZENB Elbows Pasta Frittata — inspired by the traditional Italian Frittata di Pasta. Pop a nice slice of this frittata, made with eggs, milk, mushrooms, spinach, Parmesan, and ZENB pasta, into the toaster oven or microwave and enjoy with a hot cup of coffee, or take it to go!
The Frittata recipe can be customized to include pretty much any ingredients, making it a perfect fridge clean-out dish. A few add-ins could include plant-based bacon, cherry tomatoes, black or kidney beans, caramelized onions, and other kinds of cheeses.
ZENB Elbows Carbonara with a Poached Egg
Pasta Carbonara for breakfast? It sounds too good to be true, but it’s actually a doable feat! Our foolproof recipe walks you through the decadent dish, with crunchy bacon, eggs, and plenty of Parmesan coming together to make a silky sauce. The dish is topped with a poached egg for a surprisingly luxurious meal.
Ready to break free from the monotony of traditional breakfast foods? ZENB is here to help you nourish your body and embrace an elevated approach to every meal: morning, noon, and night!
For more creative meal ideas and kitchen hacks, check out more articles on the ZENB Blog! And, no matter what time of day or what flavors you crave, the ZENB recipe collection has you covered with 150+ plant-fueled dishes, with plenty of options for various dietary restrictions and types of meals. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for daily wellness tips and cooking inspiration, and enjoy the fun web shows like “ZENB Presents” and “ZENB Academy” on our YouTube channel.
