Showing posts with label calorie counting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label calorie counting. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Healthy Alternative Spaghetti with meat sauce

Tonight's recipe is a little different than the normal. A friend mentioned, the other day, that I should start posting recipes with meat as well, especially since I'm a bit more of a carnivore than a vegetarian. Recently, I've decided to start taking my diet more seriously. In that statement, I mean the primary definition of diet. I'm hoping to make some real changes to how I eat, not just for short term weight loss, but for long term health. Tonight, I made a meat dish that incorporates two things I love and won't give up (red sauce and pasta). Tonight was a sort of Spaghetti Chicken Stir Fry.


This recipe is pretty simple. Here is what you will need:

  • chicken breast cut into strips (1lb) or stir fry chicken (as sold at Albertson's and Publix)
  • mushrooms (1 package)
  • onion (1/2 large onion) - I prefer vidalia
  • oregano
  • cilantro
  • pasta (1 package)
  • marinara sauce (1 can/jar) 
  1. Begin by putting the pasta on to boil, as this will take the longest. 
  2. Spray a little pan cooking spray into your frying pan -- sautee the chicken, onion and mushroom until the chicken has browned on the outside. I usually cook on medium to medium high (5-7 on electric stove top), adding maybe a 1/2 tsp of oregano and 1/2 tsp cilantro  as chicken is just starting to brown. 
  3. At the same time that you being the chicken, put pasta sauce on to warm, cooking at a medium temp -- I suggest covering
  4. Serve together, topped with a pinch of parmesan cheese
Overall, you will find this to be fewer calories than spaghetti with ground beef or meatballs -- 3 oz of chicken with the mushrooms and onions makes it feel somewhat hearty and very satisfying. Let me know what you think!