There are few things in life I love more than carbs and cheese.
Especially when the carbs are whole wheat and the cheese is reduced fat making it healthy, filling and delicious.
Those of you that follow me on Pinterest know that I have a never-ending list of things pinned to the board “Recipes to Try” and this was one of those very recipes.
I knew the moment I saw this on Bitchin’ Camero that I absolutely had to try it.
Pasta.
Cheese.
Spinach.
Chicken.
What is there not to like about this recipe?
Cheesy Whole Wheat Pasta with Chicken and Spinach (from Bitchin Camero)
Makes about 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. pasta (I used whole wheat rigatoni)
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs.), diced into 2 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. salt
- 5 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 2 cups reduced fat mozzarella cheese
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°.
- Set a large pot of water to boil.
- Once it comes to a rolling boil, salt it and cook the pasta until just al dente. Drain.
- While the pasta is cooking, set a large skillet over medium heat.Once it’s hot, heat the olive oil then add the chicken. Brown the chicken on all sides – about 10 minutes.
- Add the garlic and simmer with the chicken until it’s fragrant and begins to turn golden – about 3 minutes.
- Add the salt, spinach and white wine and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until spinach has wilted.
- Toss all the contents together and layer in mozzarella cheese, making sure to save the majority of it for a generous layer on top.
- Cover and bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is bubbling and slightly brown.
This looks delicious!!
It is!! And so easy too!
Ohhhh my gosh that golden cheese looks soooo good!
Best part. By a long shot! 🙂
Looks amazing! Especially with the toasted cheese on top. Drool. We’re going Italian tonight and I can’t wait!
The toasted cheese noodles on top were BY FAR the best part! And yum!! Enjoy!
Bitchin Camero miiiiight be the best blog name ever.
And now i’m craving melty cheese…. mmmm!
Right!? I love it! And haha – go get yourself some!! If either of us deserves it, it’s you!!
Carbs… cheese.. and chocolate. Just not all at the same time 😉
But definitely all in the same day 😉
You had me at pasta, cheese and spinach….
Aahaha – right!? It’s seriously the best of both those worlds 🙂
Hi Cait – I have a bit of a request, is there somewhere I can email you?
Of course! caitsplate@gmail.com 🙂
Your pictures always make me so hungry!
Haha aw, thank you!! 🙂
Hi Cait! I have been following your blog since September and really enjoy it. You do not overdo your entries, it is quick, to the point and I love that you share recipes. (Also, I love your food choices, my heritage is Canadian/Turkish aegean, so we share similar recipes and tastes). I tried this one and a white chocolate chip cookie recipe and they both turned out quiet good. I will try to modify the pasta one with more oil and perhaps add some spices. Any suggestions?
Hey Denise – I’m so glad you like the blog! That makes my day to hear. What was it specifically that you didn’t like about the pasta? Did it come out too dry? Too bland? If too dry, definitely try adding a little more oil – that should help for sure. And if too bland, you can certainly add more spices or maybe even some diced onion! I think it will help me to understand what you didn’t like about the pasta before I make any other suggestions so that I know what I’m trying to help you with – so just let me know! 🙂
Hi again! Haha yeah I typed that msg way too quickly. I actually found it a little too oily (I see that I had written “more oil” by mistake). I would like to put less oil and more spices to make the chicken less bland and wanted your input on the spices (I am thinking a small amount of crushed red pepper?). Onions is a great idea!
No worries! You can definitely reduce the oil and add spices – I bet crushed red pepper would be the perfect compliment actually!