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Weeknight spaghetti delight

Story Created: Jun 16, 2011 at 10:28 AM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 16, 2011 at 10:29 AM CDT

Scott Koeneman - Fight the Fat Foodie

We're all busy and that can be one of the biggest pitfalls to eating healthy. Work deadlines, kids activities, just plain tiredness can lead us to stop at the burger joint or order a couple a pizzas for a weeknight meal. While not as easy as ordering up a pizza or grabbing a burger, this dish is quick and easy to put together and is way better for you!

The chicken came from leftovers from a rotisserie chicken we'd bought, a bag of spinach, a can of tomatoes, all came together in about 20 minutes for a dish that tasted like it had simmered all day. It is loosely based on a recipe from Cooking Light magazine.

One serving of this dish worked out to 350 calories, 8 grams of fat, 26 grams of protein, 45 grams of carbohydrate and 5 grams of fiber.

Weeknight Spaghetti Delight
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 medium sweet onions, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup water
6 ounces baby spinach
1 15-ounce can stewed tomato
1 cup tomato puree
6 slices thin-sliced cooked bacon like Ready Crisp (less than 1 ounce), chopped
8 ounces cooked shredded chicken breast
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to tasted
8 ounces (dry) whole wheat spaghetti
1/4 cup shredded Pecorino or Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Prepare pasta according to package directions, minus two minutes of cooking time. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

Meanwhile, heat oil over medium high heat in a large skillet. Add onion and saute until just translucent, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and saute an additional minute. Add the water and spinach, cover and cook until the spinach just wilts, stirring occasionally.

Add the tomatoes, tomato puree, bacon, chicken and vinegar and combine. Cook until warmed through. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Remove 2 cups of sauce and set aside. Add spaghetti and 1/2 cup of pasta water to the remaining sauce and continue to cook until pasta is al dente and sauce is thick and sticking to the spaghetti.

Serve pasta and top with 1/2 cup of the sauce you set aside and 1 tablespoon of cheese. Serve immediately.

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