Description
A delicious spaghetti dish featuring a creamy tomato sauce infused with garlic and herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. spaghetti (or pasta of choice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 onion, chopped
- 6 Roma tomatoes, chopped, (divided)
- 4–6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp EACH dried oregano, dried basil, salt
- 1/4 tsp EACH pepper, red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 oz. cream cheese, softened (I use 1/3 less fat)
- 1/4 cup loosely packed basil, chopped
- 1 recipe Italian Chicken Marinade
- 1 recipe All-Purpose Grilled Chicken Marinade
- 1 recipe Lemon Basil Chicken
- 1 recipe Balsamic Chicken
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente according to package directions in generously salted water. Remove 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Melt butter in olive oil over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Increase heat to medium and add onions and HALF of the tomatoes and sauté for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour and cook while stirring for 2 minutes (it will be thick).
- Turn heat to low then slowly whisk in chicken broth, then milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Turn heat to medium high and bring the sauce to a simmer. Stir in chicken bouillon, spices and continue to simmer until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted, followed by mozzarella cheese until melted, followed by cream cheese until melted.
- Stir in remaining tomatoes and fresh basil. Stir in pasta until well coated, adding additional reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to reach desired consistency. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper and/or red pepper flakes to taste.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and additional basil if desired.
Notes
- This dish can be paired with grilled chicken or served as a standalone vegetarian meal.
- Using low-fat cream cheese helps reduce the overall calories while still providing creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 35mg