25 Minute Margherita Pasta (Lightened Up!)

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I typically like my pizzas with a few more bells and whistles, but the fresh, simple premium ingredients of a Margherita pizza are pure magic, and coincidentally are the colors of the Italian flag.  Traditional Margherita pizza is topped with vine-ripened tomatoes (never sauce), extra virgin olive oil, garlic, sweet basil, and mozzarella on a crispy, thin crust.

25 Minute Margherita Pasta (Lightened Up!) :

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb spaghetti or pasta of choice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 onion, chopped
• 6 Roma tomatoes, chopped divided
• 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 tsp EACH dried oregano, dried basil, salt
• 1/4 tsp EACH pepper, red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 oz. cream cheese, softetned (I use 1/3 less fat)
• 1/4 cup loosely packed basil, chopped

Garnish

1. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2. fresh basil, chiffonade
3. 20 Minute LIGHTENED UP Margherita Pasta bursting with fresh tomatoes and basil in a garlic, mozzarella Parmesan sauce! your favorite Margherita pizza in creamy pasta form!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions in generously salted water. Remove 1 cup pasta water before draining.
2. Melt butter in olive oil over medium-low heat in a large skillet. Increase heat to medium and add onions and HALF of the tomatoes and sauté for 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour and cook while stirring for 2 minutes (it will be thick).
3. Turn heat to low then slowly whisk in chicken broth, then milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Turn heat to medium high and bring the sauce to a simmer. Stir in chicken bouillon, spices and continue to simmer until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally.
4. Reduce heat to low and stir in Parmesan cheese until melted, followed by mozzarella cheese until melted, followed by cream cheese until melted.
5. Stir in remaining tomatoes and fresh basil. Stir in pasta until well coated, adding additional reserved pasta water a little at a time if needed to reach desired consistency. Taste and season with additional salt, pepper and/or red pepper flakes to taste.
6. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan Cheese and additional basil if desired.

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