Monday 7 October 2013

Skinny recipe #18 Turkey Mince Alfredo

Hello!



Chicken Alfredo is usually a heavy, creamy sauce pasta dish with hundreds of calories (above).

I love these creamy pasta sauces so much but I needed a lighter version, especially as I'm not exercising at the moment. 

Using an existing recipe as a base and tweaking it slightly, this dish is approximately 570 calories which isn't bad considering it's a pasta dish.

Although I use turkey mince in my recipe, you could use chicken or chunks of chicken breast. I just find the bonus of mince is that it bulks the dish out, meaning you don't need as much pasta! 

This recipe serves two :)

You will need:
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (or coconut.. whatever oil you prefer)
  • 250g lean turkey or chicken mince
  • 1 chopped clove of garlic
  • 1/2 tbsp flour
  • 350-400ml chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp low fat cream cheese
  • 1tbsp quark (if you do not like or do not have quark, just use another tbsp of cream cheese)
  • 2 tbsp Parmesan
  • Handful of chopped parsley
  • 125g whole wheat pasta (any pasta shape will do)
  • Seasoning
  • Optional: handful of mushrooms

  • Method:
    • In a large pan, heat up your oil of choice and then start browning your mince
    • Just before it's fully cooked, add in the garlic and stir until fragrant
    • In another pan, bring water up to the boil and add in a good pinch of salt. Pop the pasta in to cook
    • Back to the turkey mince, sprinkle in your flour and cook for 1 minute 
    • Slowly add in the stock and leave for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally
    • Optional: add the mushrooms at this stage
    • When the sauce looks slightly thicker, add in both the cream cheese and quark and keep stirring until combined and the sauce is looking creamy
    • Add both the Parmesan and parsley and stir until combined 
    • Drain the pasta and add to the sauce and mix to coat!
    • Serve and enjoy :)

    Having mince made so much difference and the sauce was just cheesy enough without being overpowering.

    If you enjoy pasta but want a lighter way of eating it, this is definitely worth a go. 

    Now for pudding, a freshly made pumpkin pie - hopefully the first of many :) not that healthy but you have to treat yourself once in a while, eh? If you want to try it out, see my friend Jennies' recipe here.

    Don't forget to post your pictures, share your recipes and stories on the Facebook page.

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