(Light) Spinach Alfredo

I know you heard the word "Alfredo" and thought "yeah, right!" But besides the store bought light Alfredo and a small dab of butter it's good to go! And it was delicious too! --Gregg approved--

2 cups penne pasta

10 oz light Alfredo sauce (Bertolli brand was the one I used)

10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and well drained

1 cup low fat cottage cheese

1/4 cup plain almond milk (or skim)

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1 egg

1/2 cup part skim Mozzerella cheese 

Sea salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray casserole dish with olive oil spray or cooking spray. (I used 9x13)

Cook pasta, drain, rinse in cold water, drain again well. 

Whisk Alfredo sauce with spinach, cottage cheese, milk, butter, garlic, and basil.

Add the pasta. 

Whisk in the egg. 

Pour into the dish and top with cheese. 

Bake for 25 minutes and then let sit for 10 minutes. 

Hope you love it as much as we did!

Skinny Enchilada Bake

This is one that I made a while back and had on my list to share because of its deliciousness. I am a sucker for Mexican food so this hit the spot! It makes 6 servings so as soon as it cooled down, I cut it six ways and packaged five pieces up. That's dinner and lunch for half of the week! 

1/2 pound lean ground turkey

1 cup onions, chopped

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 

1 teaspoon chili powder (I used a little less)

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

15 oz can of black beans, rinsed and drained well

10 oz can of Rotel Original diced tomatoes, drained (I used mild)

1 cup reduced fat sour cream

15 oz can of corn, rinsed and drained well

1/4 cup low fat cottage cheese

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

6 large whole grain tortillas

10 oz can red enchilada sauce

1/2 cup reduced fat sharp shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 casserole dish with non stick cooking spray (I use olive oil spray). 

In a large pan over medium-high heat cook turkey, onions, cumin, and chili powder. Cook until turkey is no longer pink. 

Mix in black beans and rotel and set aside from heat. 

In a small bowl mix together corn, sour cream, cottage cheese, and garlic powder. (This is where I might add some brown rice next time for a thicker texture and I love rice with Mexican food.)

Place two tortillas on the bottom of the dish. They will overlap. 

Layer with half of the turkey mix, half of the sour cream mix, and half of the enchilada sauce. Repeat all layers. Top with 2 more tortillas. 

Bake, covered for 30-35 minutes. 

Remove from oven and sprinkle cheese over the top. 

Bake uncovered for 10 more minutes or until the cheese is melted. 

Remove from oven and let it set for about 10 more minutes. 

Thank you SkinnyMom.com for brilliant ideas that I can work with! 

5 Ingredient Pizza Bake

I am a pizza queen. I mean I love all foods but pizza is up there in a tie with a few other favorites! Anyways, as we all know pizza isn't the best for you either. I found this recipe and changed it up a little to suit my needs and made it a little healthier. I LOVED it! The gluten free Bisquick was a little dry but I fixed that with pizza sauce. Hope you love it too. 

1 box 16oz Gluten free Bisquick pancake and baking mix  (can use regular Bisquick if preferred)

1½  cup water

14 oz jar organic pizza sauce

1 package turkey pepperoni

2 cups shredded part skim mozzarella

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 13x9 casserole dish with cooking spray (I use olive oil spray.)

In a medium bowl mix Bisquick with water until a soft dough forms. (I started with 1 cup of water and slowly added more as needed.)

Drop half of the dough by the spoonful into the bottom of the baking dish. (This will not completely cover the bottom of the dish.)

Drizzle half of the pizza sauce over the dough balls. Place half of the pepperoni over the top of that. Top with half of the cheese.

Repeat the layers with the remaining dough, sauce, pepperoni, and cheese.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Cut into 8 squares to serve.

Quick, delicious, not too unhealthy, Friday night favorite. 

Adapted from bettycrocker.com