Fettuccine Alfredo, with its ribbons of pasta coasted in a luxurious cheese sauce, is the very definition of decadent comfort. This recipe is all that—redefined. Zucchini ribbons mingle harmoniously with the noodles, allowing a big serving, healthfully. The sauce is made creamy with thickened milk but kept full flavored with plenty of real, fresh grated cheese.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

　　2 medium zucchini (about 8 ounces each)

　　3 tablespoons olive oil

　　2 garlic cloves, minced

　　4 pieces thinly sliced skinless boneless chicken breast cutlets (1 pound total)

　　3/4 teaspoon salt

　　1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　12 ounces fettuccine pasta, preferably whole wheat

　　1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

　　1 cup cold low-fat (1%) milk

　　1/2 cup evaporated skim milk (not condensed milk)

　　3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

　　1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves

　　

Step 1

Slice the ends off the zucchini and discard. Using a mandoline or carefully with a sharp knife, slice the zucchini lengthwise into very thin slices. Stack the slices and cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-wide ribbons.

　　

Step 2

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add half the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the zucchini ribbons, cover, stirring occasionally, and cook until the zucchini is just tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

　　

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and the black pepper and cook until cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

　　

Step 4

Cook the pasta al dente according to the directions on the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the pasta and return it to the pasta pot.

　　

Step 5

Meanwhile, make the sauce. Combine the flour and low-fat milk, stirring until the flour is dissolved. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the milk-flour mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Add the evaporated skim milk, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the cheese and cook, stirring, until the cheese is melted, about 1 minute.

　　

Step 6

Add 1 cup of the sauce, the zucchini, and 3 tablespoons of the parsley to the pasta in the pot and toss to combine. Add a little of the reserved pasta water as necessary to loosen the sauce.

　　

Step 7

To serve, place 2 cups of the pasta mixture on each plate. Top with a piece of chicken. Drizzle with the remaining sauce and garnish with the remaining parsley.

　　

Nutrition Per Serving

SERVING SIZE 2 cups of pasta mixture and 1 piece of chicken breast

　　PER SERVING Calories 660; Total Fat 2 g (Sat Fat 5 g; Mono Fat 9.2 g; Poly Fat 1.7 g); Protein 49 g; Carb 79 g; Fiber 11 g; Cholesterol 90 mg; Sodium 880 mg

　　EXCELLENT SOURCE OF Calcium

　　Copper

　　Fiber

　　Folate

　　Iron

　　Magnesium

　　Manganese

　　Niacin

　　Phosphorus

　　Protein

　　Riboflavin

　　Selenium

　　Thiamin

　　Vitamin B6

　　Vitamin C

　　Vitamin K

　　Zinc

　　GOOD SOURCE OF Iodine

　　Vitamin A

　　Vitamin B12

　　Vitamin D

　　#### Nutritional analysis provided by _Comfort Food Fix_

　　Reprinted with permission from Comfort Food Fix: Feel-Good Favorites Made Healthy by Ellie Krieger. Copyright © 2011 by Ellie Krieger; photography copyright © 2011 by Quentin Bacon. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.