(A Healthier) Creamy Tomato & Spinach Pasta

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.

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.

Recipe found via Pinterest on Ellie Bean Design.

Original recipe adapted from www.inspireddreamer.com