Heart-Healthy Spinach and Cheese Pasta
Elevate your dinner routine with this Heart-Healthy Spinach and Cheese Pasta, a wholesome and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight meals. Made with fiber-rich whole-grain pasta, vibrant baby spinach, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a creamy blend of low-fat ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, this recipe offers a nutritious twist on classic comfort food. A touch of fresh basil and a squeeze of lemon juice brighten the flavors, while sautéed garlic adds an irresistible aroma. Ready in just 30 minutes, this easy-to-make pasta dish is light yet satisfying—ideal for health-conscious food lovers. Serve it up with a sprinkle of Parmesan for the ultimate guilt-free indulgence! Keywords: heart-healthy pasta, spinach and cheese pasta, whole-grain pasta recipe, quick dinner idea, healthy comfort food.
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Ingredients
- 12 oz Whole-grain pasta (penne or fusilli preferred)
- 6 cups Baby spinach (fresh)
- 2 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup Low-fat ricotta cheese
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves (chopped)
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Ground black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole-grain pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Step 2
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 3
Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften and release their juices.
Step 4
Gradually add the baby spinach to the skillet, stirring frequently. Allow the spinach to wilt, which will take about 2-3 minutes.
Step 5
Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the low-fat ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and reserved pasta cooking water. Mix until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
Step 6
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
Step 7
Stir in the fresh basil, lemon juice, salt, and ground black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Step 8
Serve warm, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese or basil, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1122.2g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1963.8 |
| Total Fat 62.5g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 21.9g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 114.2mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3085.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 281.4g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 31.9g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 15.0g | |
| Protein 89.9g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1246.3mg | 0% |
| Iron 20.4mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2819.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories