A Dish Popeye Would Love

Spaghetti with Creamy Spinach Sauce

8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
2 1/2 tsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic gloves, minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
8 ounces fresh baby spinach
1 1/4 cups fat-free ricotta cheese

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions, omitting the salt if desired; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Transfer the spaghetti to a large bowl and keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; add the onion, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, 6-8 minutes. Add the spinach, in batches, if necessary and cook, stirring constantly, until the spinach is wilted, 2-3 minutes. Add the spinach mixture and the ricotta to the spaghetti, toss to coat, adding the reserved pasta cooking water as needed to make a creamy sauce.

Per Serving Nutritional Info: (1 3/4 cups) 321 calories, 4 g fat, 1 g sat fat, 0 g trans fat, 13 mg chol, 468 mg sodium, 58 g carbs, 11 g fiber, 16 g protein, 200 mg calcium.

*instead of the baby spinach, you can use an equal amount of regular spinach. Remove the tough stems and coarsely chop before adding it to the skillet. You can also add mushrooms, or other vegetables according to taste.