Three-Cheese Chicken Florentine
Adapted from Cooking Light
Makes 6 servings
8 oz. penne pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
8 oz. mushrooms
1 cup onion, diced
7 oz. roasted red peppers, drained and chopped (used jarred)
10-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 (16-ounce) carton 2% low-fat cottage cheese
20 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cooked and loosely shredded
3 oz. Cabot 75% reduced fat cheddar cheese, divided
4 tsp parmesan cheese
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can fat-free cream of chicken soup
Optional for more kick: 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes and 2 tsp jarred minced garlic added to the vegetables while cooking.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a rectangular dish with cooking spray and set aside. Cook penne according to package directions to al dente, drain and set aside. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, onion and 'optional' ingredients. Sauté 4 minutes or until tender. Add red peppers, spinach, oregano, and black pepper; sauté 3 minutes or until heated through. Process cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until very smooth. In a large bowl, combine spinach mixture, cottage cheese, pasta, chicken, 2 oz. cheddar cheese, milk and soup. Mix thoroughly. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and remaining cheddar. Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Coat a rectangular dish with cooking spray and set aside. Cook penne according to package directions to al dente, drain and set aside. Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, onion and 'optional' ingredients. Sauté 4 minutes or until tender. Add red peppers, spinach, oregano, and black pepper; sauté 3 minutes or until heated through. Process cottage cheese in a food processor or blender until very smooth. In a large bowl, combine spinach mixture, cottage cheese, pasta, chicken, 2 oz. cheddar cheese, milk and soup. Mix thoroughly. Spoon mixture into baking dish. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and remaining cheddar. Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly.
Review: We really enjoyed this dish! Super creamy and flavorful, I think it will be even better on the reheat! It was my first time cooking with cottage cheese and I have to say - YUM! Loved how much protein it added too. This is a great 'rainbow' dish and I will certainly be making it again! This was filling, fabulous and while it wasn't the quickest dish to make, it makes 6 servings which always makes me happy. Because of the creaminess I wouldn't shy away from freezing this one either. Head's up: this one takes a while to put together with the dicing, cooking spinach and cooking chicken!
Nutritional Information: 426 calories, 44 carbs, 8 fat grams and 44 protein grams.
whole pan
