Easy Spinach and Walnut Pasta (Rice & Pasta Dishes)

Member Name: jasminesarah

Product:	Rice & Pasta Dishes
Date:	27/10/08 (180 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Simple and fast to make, low fat and low calorie

Disadvantages: None for me

My favourite pasta is the most fattening - lasagne ideally, I make a fab one, with a cheese sauce as well as cheese on top - yum! However, this is partly why I am now on a diet(!) so I thought I'd share a much more saintly pasta recipe that is very simple to make, tasty, and filling. I made this with penne but I think I may try it with tagliatelle next time.

Ingredients:
(Per person)
50g pasta of your choice
half a red onion
handful of mushrooms
small splash of olive oil
spoonful (about 50g) of 'light' cream cheese (Philadelphia or similar)
About 6 (15g) walnuts, chopped
2 generous handfuls of baby spinach leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the pasta and meanwhile chop the onions and mushrooms and fry in the olive oil until softened. Add the chopped walnuts and saute for a minute. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream cheese until melted through.

Combine this mixture with the pasta and the spinach leaves. The spinach should gently wilt with the heat, but warm through a little if it is not cooked enough. Season to taste.

Non-dieters could use more pasta (although I was surprised how filling this meal is!), and a generous dollop of marscapone. Or serve with foccacia or garlic bread for larger appetites. Although it would produce a different effect, frozen spinach could be used in place of the fresh, or replace the spinach entirely, with rocket. A little grated parmesan would be perfect on top too!
I'm sure non-Vegetarians could adapt this by adding (perhaps?) some lean chicken.

This meal takes 10 minutes to prepare (depending on how long your pasta takes to cook) and is healthy and nutritious - as well as tasty!

Summary: Try it!