Creamy Spinach Pasta with White Beans

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Here, we whir up fresh spinach and kale with cream cheese and Gruyère for the luscious sauce that highlights this rich pasta dish. Paired with beans, it makes a filling vegetarian meal.

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Prep Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 (5 ounce) package baby kale

  • 1 (5 ounce) package baby spinach

  • 8 ounces whole-wheat penne or rigatoni pasta

  • 2 ounces cream cheese

  • ½ cup shredded Gruyère cheese

  • ½ cup torn fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1 clove garlic, grated

  • ¾ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 (15 ounce) can low-sodium white beans, rinsed

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the spinach and kale and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. With tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the greens to a colander and rinse under cold water. Wrap in a clean towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Keep the water boiling.

  2. Add pasta to the boiling water and cook al dente according to package instructions.

  3. Meanwhile, combine the greens, cream cheese, Gruyère, basil, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a food processor; process until the greens are finely chopped.

  4. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water; drain the cooked pasta and return to the pot. Add the reserved water to the food processor and process until the sauce is smooth. Add beans and the sauce to the pasta and stir to combine. Top with more basil, if desired.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

442 Calories
13g Fat
65g Carbs
22g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 1/2 cups
Calories 442
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 65g 24%
Dietary Fiber 13g 45%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 22g 43%
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Cholesterol 29mg 10%
Vitamin A 4325IU 87%
Vitamin C 21mg 24%
Folate 40mcg 10%
Sodium 691mg 30%
Calcium 375mg 29%
Iron 6mg 33%
Magnesium 169mg 40%
Potassium 588mg 13%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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