Fake Spinach Alfredo

Mmmm, alfredo sauce... so tasty, so bad for you! Cream, cheese, pasta- quite the indulgent meal. And I just can't justify making it for an average Tuesday night! I had a plan to make soup mid-week this week, but hubby groaned at the notion. He was slaving over a school project and I could tell soup just wasn't going to motivate him into the wee hours as he continued working.

The man loves pasta, so I went out to the web for a pasta recipe with the stuff on hand. That would be no tomatoes, no tomato sauce, not a lot of meat, and most importantly not a lot of time to whip something up before it would be 10 PM! I did however have ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, an abundance of cans of mushroom pieces, and pasta.

This meal was really tasty! Adam liked it more than I, but I would certainly make it again given it's relative health and the closeness to true alfredo. Some grilled chicken slices would have really capped this meal off! And the best was that Adam was thrilled at the last minute change- I love keeping my man full and happy.


Fake Spinach & Mushroom Alfredo Fettuccine
Inspired by AllRecipes.com

• 1 Box Fettuccine Pasta
  
• 2 Cloves of Garlic, minced
  
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Butter
  
• 2 Tbsp. Flour
  
• 1-2 C. Milk
  
• 1+ C. Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
  
• 1/2 C. Grated Parmesan Cheese
  
• 1/2 C. Grated Romano Cheese
  
• 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
  
• 1 C. Fresh Spinach, chopped
  
• 1 Small Can Mushroom Stems and Pieces, drained

1. Boil up a pot of water and cook pasta. When done, drain and keep warm for serving.
   
2. In a large straight sided saute pan, melt butter and saute garlic over medium heat.
   
3. Mix in flour and stir until smooth and bubbly. Be sure not to burn the flour mixture.
   
4. Slowly pour in the milk and whisk. Bring to a boil, continuing to stir until the white sauce thickens.
   
5. Add in ricotta cheese and stir until cheese melts into sauce and becomes smooth. Stir in Parmesan and Romano cheese.
   
6. Add black pepper to taste. Stir in spinach and mushrooms. Heat through.
   
7. Spoon hot alfredo sauce mixture over pasta and enjoy!