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    Home » Recipe » Cuisine » Italian » Healthier Spinach Linguine Alfredo… never say never!

    Posted on: Jan 28, 2013 · Modified: Mar 25, 2020 by honeywhatscooking · 27 Comments

    Healthier Spinach Linguine Alfredo… never say never!

    6 shares

    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_Alfre_549

    Fettuccine Alfredo is like one of my favorite Italian dishes, but I never actually order it due to the unforeseen amount of calories.  Fettuccine_Alfre_514

    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.  Fettuccine_Alfre_517

    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.  Fettuccine_Alfre_539

    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.  Fettuccine_Alfre_544

    Well, isn’t that the point?  Indulge!Fettuccine_Alfre_548


    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.Fettuccine_Alfre_596
    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.  Fettuccine_Alfre_604
    12. Back to the sauce.  Fetch out the 2 cloves of garlic.  Note the sauce is slightly thick.Fettuccine_Alfre_607
    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!Fettuccine_Alfre_556


    TELL ME: What’s your favorite “fattening” restaurant dish that you NEVER seem to order due to the unforeseen calories?



    « Parsley Hummus
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Khushboo says

      January 28, 2013 at 5:06 am

      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

      Reply
    2. honeywhatscooking says

      January 28, 2013 at 5:26 am

      @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. 🙁

      Reply
    3. Akila says

      January 28, 2013 at 6:21 am

      Yummy n delicious

      Event: Dish name starts with Q

      Reply
    4. Parita says

      January 28, 2013 at 1:22 pm

      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!

      Reply
    5. Nina says

      January 28, 2013 at 6:44 pm

      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!

      Reply
    6. Dixya says

      January 28, 2013 at 11:07 pm

      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.

      Reply
    7. honeywhatscooking says

      January 29, 2013 at 5:30 am

      @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. 🙂

      Reply
    8. honeywhatscooking says

      January 29, 2013 at 5:31 am

      @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. 🙂

      Reply
    9. honeywhatscooking says

      January 29, 2013 at 5:32 am

      @Dixya - I like both tomato and the white sauces.. depends on my mood. White sauces are definitely more comforting during the winter. 🙂

      Reply
    10. Lawyer Loves Lunch says

      January 29, 2013 at 6:54 pm

      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 😉

      Reply
    11. eatgood4life.blogspot.com says

      January 29, 2013 at 10:32 pm

      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!!

      Reply
    12. The Squishy Monster says

      January 30, 2013 at 12:16 am

      Oooh what a lovely dish! =)

      Reply
    13. honeywhatscooking says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:55 am

      @Lawyer - It's definitely healthier than the real thing, I don't mind swaps provided they taste awesome. 🙂

      Reply
    14. honeywhatscooking says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:56 am

      @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. 🙂

      Reply
    15. Guru Uru says

      January 30, 2013 at 7:56 am

      I love this delicious healthy pasta my friend, never thought it was possible - then I learnt not to say never 😀

      Cheers
      CCU

      Reply
    16. Nina says

      January 30, 2013 at 4:44 pm

      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:)

      Reply
    17. Natalie G says

      January 30, 2013 at 7:20 pm

      I love this! I am such a pasta fan but always am on the look out for healthier versions.

      Reply
    18. honeywhatscooking says

      January 31, 2013 at 4:28 am

      @Guru - haha.. that's right!

      Reply
    19. honeywhatscooking says

      January 31, 2013 at 4:29 am

      @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.

      Reply
    20. honeywhatscooking says

      January 31, 2013 at 4:29 am

      @Natalie - thanks! You and I both. 🙂

      Reply
    21. Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says

      January 31, 2013 at 7:47 pm

      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!

      Reply
    22. honeywhatscooking says

      February 01, 2013 at 2:46 am

      @Bianca - Thanks.. it's good stuff, I barely order it outside due to the fat content, this version is so good.

      Reply
    23. Daman Jagpal says

      March 11, 2013 at 2:05 pm

      Made it last night with multigrain lingune. really yummy thanks

      Reply
    24. honeywhatscooking says

      March 13, 2013 at 4:44 am

      @Daman - Awesome! Glad to hear it.

      Reply
    25. holiday italy says

      June 12, 2015 at 1:38 pm

      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 ...

      Reply
    26. Shefali says

      May 21, 2020 at 12:13 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    27. Navjot says

      July 23, 2020 at 1:01 am

      5 stars
      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

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Nisha... a foodie who is passionate about healthy-ish living and mindful eating. You'll find a little bit of everything here. I use mostly organic real ingredients and incorporate seasonal produce in my cooking. I believe food is medicine. Come join me on this soul-searching journey as I share my love for good food, and I hope somewhere along the line, I inspire you to eat better.

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