Three-Cheese Chicken Florentine

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.

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