Heart-Healthy Penne Pasta with Creamy Sauce
Indulge in the comforting flavors of this **Heart-Healthy Penne Pasta with Creamy Sauce**, a guilt-free twist on a classic pasta dish. Made with wholesome ingredients like **fiber-rich whole wheat penne**, fresh spinach, and vibrant cherry tomatoes, this recipe is packed with nutrients. The luscious, dairy-free sauce comes together effortlessly with a blend of **nutritional yeast**, **unsweetened almond milk**, and low-sodium vegetable broth, delivering a rich, cheesy flavor without the added calories or saturated fat. Enhanced with fragrant garlic, onions, and a sprinkle of fresh basil, this quick weeknight dinner is ready in just 35 minutes. Perfect for anyone seeking a **healthy, plant-based pasta** that doesn't compromise on taste, it's a flavorful way to nourish both your body and soul.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams whole wheat penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 250 milliliters low-sodium vegetable broth
- 125 milliliters unsweetened almond milk
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 100 grams fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 150 grams cherry tomatoes, halved
- 10 grams fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the whole wheat penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until the onion is translucent.
In a small bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth, almond milk, nutritional yeast, and cornstarch until smooth.
Pour the broth mixture into the pan with the onions. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
Add the chopped spinach to the sauce and cook for another 2 minutes until wilted.
Stir in the cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, salt, and black pepper, tossing to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh basil. Serve warm and enjoy your heart-healthy meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1351 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 34.8 g | 45% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.2 g | 21% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1513 mg | 66% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 214.3 g | 78% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.8 g | 96% | |
| Total Sugars | 17.7 g | ||
| Protein | 46.9 g | 94% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.2 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 477 mg | 37% | |
| Iron | 13.8 mg | 77% | |
| Potassium | 2694 mg | 57% | |
*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.
