Zucchini isn’t native to North America. This summer squash wasn’t brought to the United States until the 1920s, when Italian immigrants chose to bring the plant with them to their new home. Because of this, it’s very common to see zucchini pop up in Italian-inspired dishes.
When we discovered the Lean Cuisine Penne Rosa, we thought it looked like the perfect home for this tasty plant.
Like many Lean Cuisine meals, this dish is a breeze to prepare. Our meal was heated and ready to eat in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, we weren’t all that impressed with the results.
As you can see in the image above, “watery” is a better description for the tomato sauce than “creamy.” We hoped that the sauce would thicken up if we let it sit for a few minutes, but we’re sad to say that it stayed thin and runny. It’s a shame that the sauce doesn’t have a better consistency, because the flavor is first-rate. The zucchini slices are fresh and juicy, and the pasta is cooked perfectly.
This is definitely a diet-friendly meal; it has just 270 calories and 6 grams of fat. That said, it isn’t all that substantial. The dish might work as a quick lunch, but you’ll probably be very hungry by the time dinner rolls around.
If the Lean Cuisine Penne Rosa was served with the creamy sauce the package promised, it would have been a huge hit with our staffers. As is, however, it’s just okay. We love zucchini, especially when it’s paired with pasta, but this meal doesn’t compare with Lean Cuisine’s top offerings.
To learn more about the nutrition content or ingredients in this Lean Cuisine frozen meal, check out our package scans below.
