Creamy Pasta with Florets

Name: Creamy Pasta with Florets
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 1 cup 1% cottage cheese; 1/2 cup 1% milk; 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 5 cups broccoli florets; 4 cups cauliflowerets; 4 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 2-1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

"Cottage cheese is the surprising base for the wonderfully creamy sauce that coats the pasta and veggies in this side dish," notes Barbara Toher of Lexington, Kentucky. "My husband, who doesn't like to compromise good taste for low-fat foods, didn't even realize this dish was lower in fat."

Ingredients

1 cup 1% cottage cheese
1/2 cup 1% milk
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
5 cups broccoli florets
4 cups cauliflowerets
4 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons olive oil
2-1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

Directions

In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese, milk, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and cayenne; cover and process until smooth. Set aside.
In a saucepan, bring 1 in. of water to a boil; place broccoli and cauliflower in a steamer basket over water. Cover and steam for 3-4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
In a large nonstick skillet, saute garlic in oil for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms; saute 5 minutes longer. Stir in the broccoli, cauliflower, pasta and cottage cheese mixture; heat through.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 151 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 357mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 meat, 1 vegetable.

Originally published as Creamy Pasta with Florets in Light & Tasty August/September 2001

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Laura Kurella

Aug 27, 2012

This is a wonderful recipe for back-to-school because its super easy to create, has the gooey cheesy factor kids and adults both love but its created using healthier ingredients and.... you can swap out different veggies - replace mushrooms with steamed carrots for example - and you can add diced chicken or ham to turn this into a complete one-dish dinner the whole family will just love- It's that simple!