a skinny tetrazzini…but don’t tell anyone

Some of my most favorite dinners are those from my childhood and chicken tetrazzini is one for sure.  There is just something so good about pasta, chicken and a creamy sauce all cooked together in a casserole.  To be honest I am not sure if it was the actual dish or just the fact that I LOVED casseroles.  

My love of casserole’s started at an early age, some of my first memories of family dinners included a casserole of some sort or another.  My mom would make everything from a mac-n-cheese hamburger casserole to this enchilada casserole and of course her classic chicken tetrazzini, but as I have grown up I realized that most of them were loaded with tons of extra fat & calories, so I have been on a mission to lighten-up some her best recipes and this was one the first to try.

Now sometimes when you start lightening recipes up you lose some flavor but not with this recipe…it is actually loaded with tons of flavor and still super creamy…trust me no one will know it is lightened-up unless you tell them.    To start the process I switched the noodles to whole wheat, which actually I prefer, and then I used some extra veggies to really amp up the flavor and give the casserole some added body making it feel really indulgent (& pretty).  To make the sauce I used fat free milk & reduced fat cream cheese giving it a creaminess without added fat or calories and lets be honest if there is a creamy cheese sauce involved I am a happy girl.    Then I topped the whole thing with a little more cheese to make it much like the original version and voila a lightened-up casserole was created that is delicious, rich and creamy!!  Trust me The Hubby loved it and has even asked me when I am making it again, so I know your friends and family will love it as well.

MJ

12 servings

Skinny Chicken Tetrazzini

A creamy chicken tetrazzini that is packed with tons of flavor but without a lot of added fat or calories

20 minPrep Time

45 minCook Time

1 hr, 20 Total Time

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Ingredients

1 lb whole wheat spaghetti

2 tbsp butter

1 onion, chopped

1 cup chopped bell peppers (I used multiple color peppers)

1 cup chopped celery

2 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp chili powder

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tbsp flour

1 3/4 cups chicken stock

1 1/4 cups fat free milk

6 oz reduced fat cream cheese

1 cup reduced fat Italian blend cheese, divided

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

Directions

Preheat oven to 350

Spray a large casserole dish (at least 3 qt) with nonstick spray, set aside

In a large pot cook pasta to al dente, according to package instructions

While pasta is cooking melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat and then draining when done and return pasta to pot it was cooked in

Stir in onion, bell peppers, celery, salt, pepper & chili powder

Cook until veggies are beginning to soften and brown

Stir in garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring often

Sprinkle flour over veggies, stirring for several minutes

Stir in chicken stock & milk, brining mixture to a boil, then reducing heat to medium and cooking for several minutes until mixture has thickened some

Add in cream cheese & 1/2 cup of shredded cheese, stirring until cream cheese has melted and sauce is smooth

Stir in chicken until just combined

Pour over cooked & drained spaghetti, tossing to combine and coat the spaghetti

Pour into prepared casserole dish

Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes

Remove foil and continue cooking for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until cheese begins to brown and casserole is bubbly

Serve & ENJOY!!

Notes

Each serving is 6 WW Smart Points:

Nutritional Info Calories 188 Calories from Fat 71 Total Fat 7.9g Saturated Fat 4.6g Trans Fat 0.0g Cholesterol 40mg Sodium 313mg Potassium 158mg Total Carbohydrates 15.5g Dietary Fiber 2.2g Sugars 3.4g Protein 14.2g Vitamin A 13% - Vitamin C 19% - Calcium 15% - Iron 4% Nutrition Grade B-

7.8.1.2

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This is a great casserole to make for a pot luck or for your friends and family and this casserole dish would be a perfect addition to your bakeware, it will make this casserole really pop and look even better!

To make this an easy weeknight dinner, you can prep it the night before or in the morning and then just pop it in the oven when you get home…you will be so glad you did!

Make everyday sparkle – MJ