Today I’m sharing a recipe that has been a family favorite since 2007, Cavatappi with Spinach, Beans, and Asiago Cheese. It’s so easy and quick which is why I love it. My hubby and kid simply love the taste. Of course, if it wasn’t healthy it wouldn’t be a recipe I use regularly for years.
Now, to be sure, I occasionally make “not so healthy but delicious” recipes for special occasions, (like the lemon bars I made for Easter). I almost always cook healthy at home where I have control of the environment so that our overall diet ends up being “good enough” (adequate in protein, fruits, vegetables, grains, low fat dairy, and healthy fats but not too high in calories, sodium, saturated fat and added sugar).
If you don’t know, cavatappi is a spiral shaped pasta. Here I used corkscrews instead because I had them on hand.
In case you are surprised to see “white” pasta, know that it’s fine to have some enriched (not whole) grains. It’s recommended to make half your grains whole. The other half can be enriched. Of course you can substitute whole grain pasta when a recipe calls for traditional. I like this recipe because olive oil is a healthy fat and beans provide a fat free protein source that is full of fiber and along with spinach provides many other vitamins and minerals. That little bit of flavorful cheese adds a lot of yum. You can substitute Parmesan for Asiago and it’s still great.
Cavatappi with Spinach, Beans, and Asiago Cheese Recipe
(adapted from Cooking Light)
9 ounce bag ready to eat baby spinach
4 cups cooked cavatappi
(about 6 ounces uncooked pasta)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (19-ounce) can cannelli beans or other white bean, drained and rinsed
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Asiago cheese
Cook cavatappi according to package directions.
Meanwhile, put spinach in the colander. When the pasta is finished cooking pour pasta and water into the colander. In a small saucepan, heat olive oil over low heat until heated. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute or until lightly browned. Remove from heat.
Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.
Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 2 cups)
Calories: 401
fat 12g (sat 3.4g, mono 6.2g, poly 1.2g)
protein 18.8g
sodium 464g
carbohydrate 55g
fiber 6.7g
Do you have a favorite quick and healthy family recipe you would like to share? Please share it with us on my Facebook page.
I fixed this for the grandboys last night. They loved it and asked for seconds.
I’m so happy they did Dorothy! My daughter likes it too. Thanks for taking the time to let me know.