Heart-Healthy Cheesy Pasta Delight
Indulge in the wholesome goodness of our "Heart-Healthy Cheesy Pasta Delight," a guilt-free twist on classic cheesy pasta that's both nourishing and delicious. Crafted with tender whole-grain pasta, vibrant fresh vegetables like red bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach, and a creamy duo of low-fat ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, this recipe is a celebration of flavor without sacrificing nutrition. Infused with aromatic garlic, zesty lemon, and fragrant basil, every bite is light yet irresistibly satisfying. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish comes together in just 35 minutes and serves four, offering a balanced combination of fiber, vitamins, and protein for a heart-smart meal the entire family will love. Give your dinner routine a healthy upgrade with this irresistible pasta recipe!
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Recipe Information
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
Instructions
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.
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.
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for another 2 minutes until wilted.
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.
Gently fold in the cooked pasta, ensuring it is well coated with the sauce.
Season the pasta with salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
Remove the skillet from the heat and toss in the fresh basil leaves.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional basil leaves if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
843 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.7 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.2 g | 61% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 63 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 3571 mg | 155% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 97.3 g | 35% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.9 g | 64% | |
| Total Sugars | 21.0 g | ||
| Protein | 45.1 g | 90% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 696 mg | 54% | |
| Iron | 7.9 mg | 44% | |
| Potassium | 1834 mg | 39% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
