Creamy Skinny Pasta Casserole

Baked pasta is a favorite potluck dish, so I altered some of the ingredients in my traditional recipe to make it lower in calories. Try it with ground beef, too!

Creamy Skinny Pasta Casserole

Average Rating: 4

TOTAL TIME: Prep/Total Time: 30 min.
YIELD: 6 servings.

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces uncooked whole wheat penne pasta
  • 1 pound lean ground chicken
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
  • Optional: Minced fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • 1. Preheat oven to 400°. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving 1/3 cup pasta water; return all to pot.
  • 2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook and crumble chicken with onion, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder and remaining seasonings over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes. Stir in tomatoes; bring to a boil. Add to pasta; toss to combine. Transfer to a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray.
  • 3. Mix cream cheese, sour cream, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and remaining garlic powder. Drop mixture by tablespoonfuls over pasta. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • 4. Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 8-10 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with parsley and pepper flakes.

Nutrition Facts

1-2/3 cups: 445 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 559mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 7g fiber), 33g protein.