Linguine Alfredo...

I got this recipe from a friend...
6oz. linguine (or I used Rotini)
1 tablespoon butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup fat-free cream cheese
1/4 grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup broccoli florets
1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 carrot, thinly sliced

1. Cook your linguine until soft and leave in the water.
2. Place the broccoli, bell pepper and carrot in a steamer basket; set in a saucepan over 1 inch of boiling water. Cover and steam until tender-crisp, about 3 minutes.
3. In a medium nonstick sauce pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Saute the garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Whisk in the flour, then gradually whisk in the milk; cook, stirring constantly, until lightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese and Parmesan; cook, stirring, until smooth, 1-2 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and add in vegetables and pasta. Toss to coat thoroughly. Serve at once.

Points value: 6
Serving size: about 1 1/2 cups

Rotini with Creamy Spinach Sauce

6 oz. pasta (original recipe calls for fettuccine but I used rotini)
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 shallots, chopped (or 1/2 to 1 onion)
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups chopped cleaned spinach
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese (in the tub, like for lasagna)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

-Cook the pasta according to package directions. Leave pasta in water to keep warm until ready to use.
-Meanwhile, heat the oil in a nonstick saucepan, then add the shallots. Saute until softened, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in the spinach, tomatoes, and salt and cook until the spinach wilts.
-Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4-1/2 cup of the pasta water. Add the pasta, 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking liquid and the ricotta. Cook, tossing, until heated through. If you like, add more of the cooking liquid to make the sauce creamier. Sprinkle with the pepper and serve.


Serves 4=5 WW Points