Tomato and Spinach Chicken Pasta

Whole wheat pasta tossed in a light, unsalted tomato sauce with lean ground chicken and vibrant fresh spinach, creating a comforting and healthy Italian-inspired meal.

• Prep: 15 min
• Cook: 20 min
• Total: 35 min
• Servings: 4
• Cuisine: Italian
• Difficulty: Easy
• Cost: $2.96/serving

Dietary

• Nut-Free
• Soy-Free
• Dairy-Free
• High-Protein
• High-Fiber

Tags

• sauté
• healthy
• comfort food
• savory
• quick
• budget-friendly

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground chicken (lean)
• 1 yellow onion (medium, chopped)
• 3 clove garlic (minced)
• 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes (no salt added, undrained)
• 8 ounce tomato sauce (no salt added)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon dried basil
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 5 ounce fresh spinach
• 8 ounce whole wheat pasta

Instructions

1. Cook the whole wheat pasta according to package directions in a large pot of unsalted water until al dente. Drain well.
2. While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 1 pound lean ground chicken and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned throughout, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add the 1 yellow onion and 3 cloves garlic to the skillet with the chicken. Cook, stirring, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in the 1 can no salt added diced tomatoes, 1 can no salt added tomato sauce, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
5. Add the 5 ounces fresh spinach to the sauce, stirring until it wilts, about 2-3 minutes.
6. Add the drained cooked whole wheat pasta to the skillet with the sauce and chicken. Toss to combine thoroughly. Serve hot.

Notes

You can add other vegetables like diced mushrooms or bell peppers to the sauce for extra nutrients. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 494
• Protein: 35.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 59.7 g
• Fat: 14.6 g
• Fiber: 13.4 g
• Sodium: 602 mg
• Saturated Fat: 3.2 g
• Sugar: 8.3 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg