We are back in school which means that our nights are extra busy. I am always trying to find quick and healthy dinner recipes to feed my hungry kids before they run out the door to practice. Since my son is swimming these days, his coach wants him to eat pasta the night before a big meet. Since he loves fettuccine alfredo, I wanted to create a low-fat, healthier version of the classic alfredo sauce. He still gets his pasta which gives him the energy he needs without the extra fat that can weigh him down.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter1 clove garlic, minced1 teaspoon grated lemon zest2 teaspoons all-purpose flour1 cup low-fat (2%) milkKosher salt2 tablespoons Neufchtel or low-fat cream cheese3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley12 ounces fresh fettuccineFreshly ground pepper

Methode Of Preparation

Make the sauce: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and lemon zest and cook until the garlic is slightly soft, about 1 minute. Add in the flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon,1 minute. Whisk in the milk and 3/4 teaspoon salt and cook, whisking constantly, until just thickened, about 3 minutes. Add the Neufchatel and parmesan cheese; whisk until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the chopped parsley. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and return to the pot. Add the sauce and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water to the pasta and gently toss to combine, adding more cooking water as needed to loosen. Season with salt. Divide among bowls and top with parmesan and pepper.