Heart-Healthy Cheesy Pasta Delight
Indulge in comfort without compromising on health with our Heart-Healthy Cheesy Pasta Delight, a vibrant and flavorful dish the whole family will love. Made with fiber-rich whole grain pasta, fresh sautéed vegetables like zucchini, red bell pepper, and spinach, and a luscious sauce crafted from low-fat ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, this recipe is a guilt-free way to savor creamy pasta. A fragrant burst of lemon zest and fresh basil takes the flavor to the next level, while heart-smart olive oil ties it all together. Ready in just 35 minutes, this vegetarian pasta recipe delivers a wholesome, nutrient-packed meal perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Serve it warm and watch as the rich, cheesy goodness wins everyone over, one forkful at a time!
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Ingredients
- 250 grams Whole grain pasta
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 medium, diced Red bell pepper
- 1 medium, diced Zucchini
- 3 cloves, minced Garlic
- 100 grams, fresh Spinach
- 100 grams Low-fat ricotta cheese
- 50 grams, shredded Low-fat mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
- 10 leaves, fresh and torn Basil leaves
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole grain pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced red bell pepper, zucchini, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
Step 3
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for another 2 minutes until wilted.
Step 4
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the low-fat ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and lemon zest. Mix until the cheeses have melted and formed a creamy sauce.
Step 5
Gently fold in the cooked pasta, ensuring it is well coated with the sauce.
Step 6
Season the pasta with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
Step 7
Remove the skillet from the heat and toss in the fresh basil leaves.
Step 8
Serve immediately, garnished with additional basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (848.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 842.8 |
| Total Fat 32.7g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 12.2g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g | |
| Cholesterol 63mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3570.7mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 97.3g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 17.9g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 21.0g | |
| Protein 45.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 696.1mg | 0% |
| Iron 7.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1833.7mg | 0% |
Source of Calories