PASTA WITH CREAMY SPINACH PESTO

By JoyceW-2

PointsPlus Value: 8
Yields 1 1/4 cups per serving

NOTES:
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. And/or stir in some roasted cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 teaspoons sald, divided, or more to taste
• 8 ounces whole-wheat pasta, spaghetti or linguine
• 1 1/2 cups fresh spinach, baby variety, washed and dried
• 2 tablesppns water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 1/2 tablespoons low fat cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice, or to taste

Preparation

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, use 1 teaspoon of salt. Add pasta and cook as package directs until al dente, about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a food processor or blender, process spinach, water, oil, garlic and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth, set aside.

Reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooking water and then drain pasta. Return pasta to pot, add cream cheese and stir until melted. Add pesto sauce and toss to combine, adding reserved cooking water if a thinner consistency is desired. Season with lemon juice and saalt, if desired.