Remember when I made this recipe with mushrooms and broccoli a long time ago? Well, I wanted to make it again, but this time I improvised with spinach and made a roux to thicken up the sauce.
Fettuccine Alfredo is like one of my favorite Italian dishes, but I never actually order it due to the unforeseen amount of calories. 
On a recent trip to California, my sister, niece, nephew, and I went to dinner, and as soon as I saw Fettuccine Alfredo on the menu, I begged someone to split this indulgently rich dish with me. My niece complied. I love her even more now. And boy was it worth every single artery clogging bite.
The fettuccine (shown below) was drenched in lots of cream and butter and then topped off with parsley and parmesan-reggiano. After every bite, I had cream all over my lips, yes, that’s how creamy it was. Ooooh… I salivate just thinking about it.
And then one cold winter afternoon I was in need of some comfort food, and so I made Spinach Linguine Alfredo. 
In my version of this classy dish, I used 2 tablespoons of butter instead of a stick of butter, a little flour to help thicken the sauce, reduced-fat milk instead of cream, and whole grain pasta instead of white pasta. An addition of spinach added some health benefits to this ridiculously delicious dish. 
The results were fantastic, and believe me when I say you won’t miss the real thing, and you will still have alfredo sauce all over your lips after each bite. 
Well, isn’t that the point? Indulge!
NUTRITION: Milk and Cheese are an excellent source of Calcium and Protein. Although high in fat, cheese is good for you, but should be eaten in moderation. Spinach is loaded with tons of nutrients. It is rich in Vitamins A, C, and K, and is an excellent source of Iron and Folic Acid. Spinach also contains small amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids.
INGREDIENTS:
- Barilla Whole Grain Linguine – 1 pound box
- Unsalted Butter – 2 tbsp
- All Purpose White Flour – 2 tbsp
- Reduced-Fat 2% Milk – 2 ½ cups (you may also try Low-Fat 1% – works well)
- Garlic – 2 cloves
- Black Pepper – 1 tsp
- Salt – 1 tsp (more if need be)
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – ½ teaspoon + garnish (if you can’t handle heat, use ¼ teaspoon or skip)
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese – 1 cup (for the sauce) + ½ cup (for later)
- Frozen Spinach – 1 (10 ounce) package (microwaved or cooked)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Start by bringing a pot of hot water to a boil for the pasta.
2. Follow the instructions of a frozen spinach packet and microwave/cook the spinach. Squeeze out the excess water and set aside.
3. Remove the skin off 2 cloves of garlic, DO NOT CHOP, just leave the cloves as whole. Set aside.
4. Heat a pot on low-medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of butter. It will slowly melt.
5. Once the butter completely melts, add flour. Whisk it all together for a minute, this will help form a roux. The flour should be cooked and you should be able to smell the mixture.
6. Add milk. Whisk some more to make sure the roux doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
7. Drop the cloves of garlic. 
8. Add black pepper and salt.
9. Add crushed red pepper. Whisk and let the milk heat up on low-medium heat.
10. Grate the parmesan cheese, however check on the milk every few minutes to prevent the milk from sticking to the bottom of the pot. 
11. Check on the pasta water… follow the instructions on the box and add the pasta. 
12. Back to the sauce. Fetch out the 2 cloves of garlic. Note the sauce is slightly thick.
13. Add 1 cup of parmesan cheese for now. 
14. Add the microwaved spinach. Mix it all in. Check for seasonings at this point.
15. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it completely and add it to the sauce. 
16. Toss. 
17. Add another ½ cup of parmesan cheese based on your taste.
18. Toss some more.
19. Let it sit about 15-20 minutes before serving. The sauce will thicken up and all the flavors will come together. Insanely good!
TELL ME: What’s your favorite “fattening” restaurant dish that you NEVER seem to order due to the unforeseen calories?
Khushboo says
YUM! Although I'm more a fan of tomato-based sauces, this looks incredible! And I didn't realise spinach was rich in omega 3s- all the more reason to eat it! It sounds silly but I can't remember the last time I ordered a dessert for myself at a restaurant- whenever I eat it, I'm usually sharing it with others on the table. If we're going to get specific, my ultimate dessert to order would be a slice of cheesecake-mmmm
honeywhatscooking says
@Khushboo - how could I forget cheesecake? The calories in cheesecake are probably more than fettuccine alfredo, sadly. Yeah, cheesecake is something I usually never order, but if we do ever order dessert, we split it. Yeah, spinach has some Omega 3's. You are like my husband, loving the tomato-based sauces, he didn't love this dish cause he doesn't like cream sauces. 🙁
Akila says
Yummy n delicious
Event: Dish name starts with Q
Parita says
Oh yum! This is the perfect (healthy) comfort dish! I make a similar sauce for my mac n' cheese. I love how you don't need lots of butter and cream to make it taste delicious. And almond milk works really well because of it's thick, creamy consistency!
Nina says
Awww...my favorite one. I can never say no to this one:).Looks so tempting Nisha.
Except Pizza's I love anything cheesy. I don't think there is anything I'll never order coz of the extra calories. I am big FOODIE and wudnt mind eating everything and then head out to the gym to burn those extra calories:) lol!
Dixya says
this is what i will be making for dinner.. although I am a big tomato based person too but sometimes I crave for it and after reading all the yumm and good nutrition- will def. have to make it.
honeywhatscooking says
@Parita - Thanks. It's such a great swap out, and still tastes great. Wow, I bet it tastes good with almond milk, never tried it though. Coconut Milk would be nice too. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@Nina - OMG, you don't like pizza? I don't think I've ever met anyone who doesn't like pizza. OMG! I know, I'm all about eating like a pig and then working out, but somehow I can't get myself to order the alfredos when dining out. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@Dixya - I like both tomato and the white sauces.. depends on my mood. White sauces are definitely more comforting during the winter. 🙂
Lawyer Loves Lunch says
Yay for healthier pasta dishes! I love me a good pasta dishes but it's hard to justify indulgences all the time. But this has spinach in it so it's almost health food 😉
eatgood4life.blogspot.com says
OMG this looks really good. It reminds me of the one I made a long time ago...I need to make some more. I am lucky enough to not really crave any fattening restaurant dish, if I did I would probably make it home any how 🙂 By the way I am still to make the pumpkin pancakes again. Last time I was not able to take pictures as they ate them rather fast!!
The Squishy Monster says
Oooh what a lovely dish! =)
honeywhatscooking says
@Lawyer - It's definitely healthier than the real thing, I don't mind swaps provided they taste awesome. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
@eatgood4life - Man, I crave fattening stuff all the time.. hence why I need a blog and make "healthier" versions. Aww.. you really love those pancakes.. so glad to hear that. I'd love to see your post on it. 🙂
Guru Uru says
I love this delicious healthy pasta my friend, never thought it was possible - then I learnt not to say never 😀
Cheers
CCU
Nina says
lol yes its weird,I am not a big fan of pizza!!! Being a vegetarian, Pasta with alfredo is something available in most restaurant,infact some times its the only option available - so I often have this one. And I love it:)
Natalie G says
I love this! I am such a pasta fan but always am on the look out for healthier versions.
honeywhatscooking says
@Guru - haha.. that's right!
honeywhatscooking says
@Nina - that is so funny/weird, but I understand. My niece hates tomatoes, she can't eat raw tomatoes, but she can eat it on pizza. I love alfredo sauce.
honeywhatscooking says
@Natalie - thanks! You and I both. 🙂
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
My mouth is watering just looking at these pics! I don't even remember the last time I had Alfredo. But now I want a bowl!
honeywhatscooking says
@Bianca - Thanks.. it's good stuff, I barely order it outside due to the fat content, this version is so good.
Daman Jagpal says
Made it last night with multigrain lingune. really yummy thanks
honeywhatscooking says
@Daman - Awesome! Glad to hear it.
holiday italy says
Thanks for a great read ! I'm found of Italian cuisine. It's just tasty and in fact quite simple. In one word it's gorgeous like everything is in Italy ! I'm in love with this wonderful country ...
Shefali says
Very easy to make and was delicious. Didn’t feel stuffed after eating like with a traditional Alfredo sauce. I will definitely make this again.
Navjot says
Thank you for coming up with a healthier version! This is also a dish that I love but never order due to the calories but this was sooo satisfying. I didn’t have Parmesan cheese on hand so used the Mexican blend cheese and added broccoli to it as well. I am salivating just thinking about how good this turned out. Will be adding it to normal list of foods that I make