My children request pasta most nights. This dish is simple, nutritious, delicious and packed with protein!
One my family’s favorite activities is cooking together! The bigger the mess my children make, the louder they laugh! I have discovered that when we cook together, the more likely they will eat their creation—even vegetables! (Even spinach!)
Skinny Pasta Alfredo with Spinach Recipe
Serves 4
- 10 ounces whole-grain spaghetti (I prefer Barilla Plus Noodles)
- 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup 2% Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
- 1 lemon, fresh squeezed
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/4 cup water from cooked pasta
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Crushed red pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Save 1/4 cup pasta water. Rinse noodles and set aside.
2. In a bowl, combine pasta water, cottage cheese, yogurt, Parmesan cheese, lemon and egg yolk.
3. In a saucepan, on medium heat, warm up creamy mixture for 3 minutes.
4. Add spinach, stir for 2 minutes.
5. Put the noodle pot back on medium heat and add olive oil.
6. Pour creamy mixture onto noodles and stir for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle on salt, freshly ground pepper and crushed red pepper to taste.
7. Garnish pasta with fresh shredded Parmesan cheese.
Editor’s Note: This recipe sounds yummy, but too many pots and bowls for a lazy gal like me. If you’re looking to save on clean up, I’m guessing you can use the pot you boiled the pasta in for steps 2-6. Heck, if you’re not serving guests, and you have a nice looking pot, you could serve it in that too. Give it a try, and leave a comment below to let us know if it worked.
Wine Pairing: Serving adults? Candace Warner general manager of Convito Café & Market had two ideas for wines: Cakebread Cellars 2010 Sauvignon Blanc $35 or Pascal et Nicolas Reverdy 2011 Sancerre for $26.
Amanda Fayne is on a mission to inspire families to cook and eat healthy homemade meals, and most importantly, have fun in the kitchen. The busy mother of two created her blog Healthfull Ever After to share her easy, healthy and delicious recipes at healthfulleverafter.com. Amanda is also a food writer and photographer for What to Expect When You Are Expecting’s Mom Website whattoexpect.com.
