Pasta with Creamy Spinach Pesto
7
Points®
Total time: 20 min • Prep: 5 min • Cook: 15 min • Serves: 4 • Difficulty: Easy
While this creamy spinach pasta dish is delicious on its own, you can add a pop of color by stirring 2 cups of halved cherry tomatoes into the recipe. Amp up the protein by tossing in some chopped cooked skinless chicken breast.
Ingredients
Uncooked whole wheat spaghetti
½ pound(s), or linguine
Low fat cream cheese
3 Tbsp, (Neufchatel), softened
Fresh lemon juice
1 tsp
Baby spinach
4½ cup(s)
Water
2 Tbsp
Extra virgin olive oil
1½ tsp
Garlic
2 clove(s)
Table salt
½ tsp
Black pepper
⅛ tsp
Grated Parmesan cheese
4 Tbsp
Instructions
1
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving ¼ cup cooking water. Transfer pasta to large serving bowl. Add cream cheese and lemon juice and toss until cheese is melted. Keep warm.
2
Meanwhile, to make pesto, puree spinach, water, oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in food processor.
3
Add pesto to pasta mixture and toss to combine. If needed, stir in reserved pasta cooking water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to moisten.
4
Divide pasta evenly among 4 bowls and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan.
5
Serving size: 1¼ cups
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