Pasta Presto!

Healthy Hump Day Recipe

When I was in college at the University of Florida (go Gators!), I went through a period of eating only macaroni and cheese from a box, canned ravioli, and other quick and easy meals that were full of things my body could have done without. During my later years, those meals got boring. I wanted to start cooking food that had more flavor and better ingredients yet was still quick. After eating a meal with fresh and healthy ingredients, I felt like I have more energy to get me through my classes. Here was one of my first creations that I still use today when time is not of the essence. The whole wheat pasta keeps you full for longer than enriched pasta, fresh spinach is full of vitamins and nutrients that are good for your blood, and the chicken provides protein.

Chicken and Spinach Rotini Marinara

Ingredients
-1 (13.25oz) box Whole Wheat Rotini pasta
-Cooking spray
-1 (9oz) bag of fresh spinach leaves
-8 chicken breast tenderloins
-Salt and pepper 
-Marinara sauce to your liking
-Parmesan cheese to your liking

Directions
1. Cook pasta according to package.
2. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray over medium-low heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until no longer pink, about 6min on each side.
3. Scoot the chicken to one side of the skillet and reduce heat to low. Cut spinach leaves into small pieces and add to skillet. Cook and additional 3min or until spinach is limp.
4. Add marinara sauce to the skillet and mix. Cook on low heat for 3min.
5. Remove from heat and add cooked pasta to skillet.
6. Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese and stir.

Yield 4 servings

The great thing about this meal is that you can adjust the ingredients to give you a meal that is perfect for you. I am not a fan of too much marinara sauce because I like to taste the whole wheat flavor as well as the chicken. However, I do love Parmesan cheese and tend to add more than the average person. This is also a great dish to bring to parties or potlucks because it even appeals to picky eaters. With that, I think I know what I am going to make for lunch today!