Who says pasta is off-limits when eating healthy? Not us! Healthy pasta recipes are possible when you add nutrition-rich ingredients and reduce calorie-heavy ingredients. You can still enjoy a comforting meal gifts of pasta under 600 calories, and these healthy dinners come together in 45 minutes or less!

INGREDIENTS

2 - teaspoons dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1/2 - teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 - teaspoon black pepper
1/4 - teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 - pound ground turkey breast
4 - cloves garlic, minced
Nonstick cooking spray
1 - cup chopped onion
4 - cups water
1 1/3 - cups multigrain penne pasta
1 - 15 ounce can tomato sauce
1 - 9 ounce bag fresh baby spinach (9 cups)
1/3 - cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

In a bowl combine the first four ingredients (through crushed red pepper). In another bowl combine ground turkey, seasoning mixture, and garlic; mix well.

Coat a Dutch oven with cooking spray. Heat the pot over medium-high heat. Add ground turkey mixture and onion; cook 6 to 8 minutes or until browned. Remove from pot; cover and keep warm.

Add the water to the same pot; bring to boiling over medium-high heat. Add pasta; cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Return pasta and the reserved cooking liquid to the pot; stir in tomato sauce and cooked turkey. Heat through. Remove from heat; stir in spinach. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

FROM THE TEST KITCHEN
SHORTCUT

Save time cleaning by using fewer pots. This pasta cooks in the same pot as the turkey mixture.
NUTRITION FACTS (Italian Style Turkey and Penne Toss)

Per serving: 301 kcal , 4 g fat (2 g sat. fat , 1 g polyunsaturated fat , 1 g monounsaturated fat ), 60 mg chol. , 766 mg sodium , 28 g carb. , 5 g fiber , 5 g sugar , 38 g pro.