(A Healthier) Creamy Tomato & Spinach Pasta

10.28.2014

Hello my name is Morgan and I'm a self described carboholic. I could live off of a diet of bread and pasta alone. Fortunately for my waistline, however, I resist living on an all carbohydrate diet and do my best to limit carb intake as much as possible. I could never fully restrict myself from pasta though. I love it too much. 

That's why I was so excited when I came across this recipe on Pinterest. I was craving pasta yesterday like nobody's business, so I took to Pinterest to search for a pasta dish that I wouldn't feel overly guilty about indulging in. This Creamy Tomato & Spinach Pasta caught my eye, and I was even more intrigued when I saw that the original pinner had created a healthier alternative to the dish. I rushed right to the store after work to pick up the ingredients, and I couldn't get home fast enough to start cooking. It was an easy and quick dinner option, perfect for a Monday night! It looked delicious when it was all said and done, and it tasted even better than that! It's safe to say this will became a staple in the Sparks home.
A Healthier Creamy Tomato & Spinach Pasta

Creamy Tomato & Spinach Pasta

Ingredients:

1 lb. whole wheat penne pasta
Jar of marinara sauce 
Fresh basil 
Oregano
1 tbsp. olive oil
small onion (diced)
2 large tomatoes (diced)
2 cloves garlic
8 oz plain greek yogurt
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 
1/2 bag fresh spinach
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

- Cook pasta as directed in a large pot of boiling water and drain
- Dice onion and mince garlic, then cook both in a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat until softened (about 5 minutes)
- Add diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt and pepper to the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir to combine.
- Add 1/2 to 3/4 jar of marinara sauce and stir until combined.
- Turn heat to low and add greek yogurt to the skillet. stir in yogurt until fully melted and the sauce is creamy. 
- Add half of your Parmesan cheese and whisk into mixture until cheese has melted then add the remainder of Parmesan and repeat. 
- Once mixture is combined, add the fresh spinach and stir into the sauce until spinach has wilted (about 3 minutes). 
- Add pasta into the sauce and stir until pasta is well coated. Enjoy! 

** Optional: Add grilled chicken on top of pasta dish for added protein or if you have a husband who refuses to call food a "meal" unless there is meat involved.
A Healthier Creamy Tomato & Spinach Pasta

Recipe found via Pinterest on Ellie Bean Design.
Original recipe adapted from www.inspireddreamer.com
 photo morgansignature_zpsc3f5971d.png

6 comments:

  1. mmm drooling. what a good idea to use greek yoghurt, i'll have to try that! there's nothing i love more than a big bowl of steamy creamy pasta :)

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  2. Funny, I dont recall being invited to dinner. Haha :P

    This looks amazing!!! I am like you, I can't quit carbs and look for lighter versions of our favorites!

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  3. Yum this looks amazing. I am a HUGE carb lover too but I need to back the heck off of them.

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  4. That looks amazing! I am such a pasta lover but recently had to cut back of those calories... but this .. this is perfect! Thank you for sharing! ;)

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