As late summer prepares to tap out for the onset of autumn, any health conscious eater is going to have to look away from the grill and back to the kitchen.
Once the weather starts cooling, the question for the healthy diner becomes whether it’s possible to engage in some comfort food for cold nights that doesn’t set you off your fat free calorie count.
This simple recipe for baked pasta is a step in that direction. When you see the list of ingredients, you won’t find much to put you off your regimen. Swap out the standard pasta for whole wheat, and you max out the health factor.
Healthy Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cups cooked, diced chicken
- 1 pound box spaghetti, cooked (Save 1 1/2 cup of pasta water.)
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Related: Keep Late Summer Cocktail Choices Light
Preparation: Heat oil in large oven. Add garlic and cook until lightly brown at edges.
Add red pepper flakes and cook 2 more minutes. Add the saved pasta water.
Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes to reduce liquid to 1/3. Add spaghetti and chicken and toss well. Add Parmesan and toss again.
Serve with extra cheese if desired.
