Thursday, September 27, 2012

Spinach Artichoke Pasta


I love when a new found recipe is delicious.  I found it on pinterest but the blog is found here.  The pin claimed that the pasta dish tasted like hot spinach artichoke dip, which I love.  I made it and we LOVE it.  We've already eaten it several times.  It's a quick weeknight meal and it's meatless.  
Creamy goodness.

Ingredients:
12 ounces of pasta
1 t. butter
2 cloves garlic, minced (I used three, we love garlic)
8 ounces reduced fat cream cheese
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
1/2 a lemon, juiced
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. red pepper flakes
14 ounce can artichoke hearts, packed in water, chopped
10 ounce box of chopped, frozen spinach, with excess water removed
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Cook the pasta according to the package directions.

Meanwhile, in a large pan melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the garlic to the butter and cook until fragrant.  Then add in the cream cheese and stir it until it's completely melted.  Next, slowly stir in the milk.  Then add the sour cream, lemon juice, salt and red pepper flakes.  Add in the artichoke hearts, spinach and parmesan cheese.  Cook until everything is heated through, stirring occasionally.  

Drain the pasta and add it to the spinach and artichoke mix and mix well.  You can season with additional salt or lemon juice if you want, I didn't think it needed it.