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Penne with Sausage, Veggies & Spicy Queso Fredo, 7 points+

March 27, 2012 by DanicasDaily 19 Comments

Happy Tuesday all! I really LOVED reading your Name One Thing comments yesterday ~ you all really make the most of your Monday’s.  The BEST thing about today is that it isn’t Monday ~ Kidding LOL!  Actually, the BEST thing about today is that I had a 100% ON TRACK day that was packed with delicious & nutritious foods, a NEW RECIPE and I used my lunch to get in a workout.

Thank you all for inspiring me with your Name One Thing workouts yesterday! I thought of all the things you did as pondered if I should do my train walk of 2.5 miles to/from the train today.

I didn’t let the rain or the wind scare me off!

I packed up an Egg-Wich and took it on the go with me to eat on the train. 

2 slices of Trader Joe’s FF Multi-Grain Bread, a “fried” egg, sea salt, pepper & ICBINB spray (5 points+).

Eggwich

Usually my egg-wich holds me over until lunch, but, today I was starving 3 hours later.

I am absolutely IN LOVE with this new Fage 0% Blueberry Acai Greek Yogurt ~ it’s thick, creamy and the blueberry filling tastes like homemade with fresh berries.

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3 points+ for the entire thing.

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I started off with a banana plus 4 strawberries…..

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Then, topped it with my new FAGE and 2 Tbsp of Coconut Almond Granola (1 points+)

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I am SO PROUD OF ME for getting out and getting my walk on today.  I actually had planned on going to the gym, but, I forgot my card.  I totally was kinda nervous to work out with my co-workers anyway…..but, I didn’t let that stop me.

I put on my shoes and headed out to walk.  I ended up finding a route that I LOVE and power walked my way through 3.4 miles!

When I got back, I couldn’t wait to dive into my BURGER SALAD!!!

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In the mix:

  • Organic mixed greens, romaine, red cabbage & shredded carrots
  • Cucumber slices
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp Sunflower Seeds (1 points+)
  • 2 Tbsp Trader Joe’s Dried Berry Blend (1 points+)
  • Amy Lu’s Caramelized Onion Smoked Gouda Chicken Burger (4 points+)
  • All topped with Trader Joe’s Low-Fat Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette (2 points+)

DESSERT ~ I seriously need to buy some Dum-Dum’s – this was the perfect ending for something sweet. (1 points+)

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Train snacks ~ an orange & lite string cheese (1 points+)

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Dinner tonight came about based on The Husband and I decided what sounded good for dinner and the rainy weather.  There is something so good about having rich, creamy pasta dishes on a rainy day.  I instantly thought about the Low Fat Alfredo Sauce I made before with big, thick fettuccine noodles.  The only thing is we didn’t have ANY fettuccine and that would go against cooking with what we hand on hand for the week.

We had a bunch of veggies that needed to be used up, Laughing Cow Wedges and some Hot Italian Sausage in the freezer.  Add in a healthy Alfredo with a Kick and you get one delicious Spicy, Veggie Packed, Queso Alfredo Pasta.

This pasta dish has just the right amount of heat from the smoky chipotle peppers and spicy Italian sausage to warm you up from the inside out. 

You could definitely make this even more decadent by putting it in a casserole dish, topping it with a little pepperjack cheese and baking it for a Super Cheesy, Queso Fredo Baked Pasta!

Start to finish this dish is totally a 30 minute or less meal!

PENNE WITH SAUSAGE, VEGGIES & SPICY QUESO FREDO (print it!)

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INGREDIENTS

The Pasta

  • 2 Hot Italian turkey sausages, casings removed
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cups fresh mixed vegetables (whatever you have on hand)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • pinch or two of crushed red pepper flakes
  • 8 oz whole wheat penne pasta

Spicy Queso Fredo

  • 8 Laughing Cow Queso &Chipotle Wedges
  • 1 cup fat free milk
  • 1/2 Tbsp whipped butter
  • 2 Tbsp parmesan
  • Sea salt & black pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1.  In a small sauce pan, make the Spicy Queso Fredo by adding the Laughing Cow, milk, butter and parmesan to the pan.  Turn the burner on low and slowly let the cheeses melt while the sausage veggie pasta cooks, whisking as needed.

2.  Cook pasta according to packaged directions.  While the pasta water is boiling, heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add sausage, crumble and cook until browned, about 4-5 minutes.  Remove sausage and set aside.

3.  Add olive oil to the sausage pan, then, add the vegetables, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes.  Sauté until the vegetables are crisp tender, about 5-7 minutes. 

4.  Return the sausage to the pan, add pasta and drizzle with sauce.  Season with sea salt and black pepper, then, dig in!

Makes 6 servings, 1 heaping cup each, 7 points+

Nutritional information per serving based on 6 servings calculated at caloriecount.com

image

STE P – BY – STEP

The folks at over at Laughing Cow asked if I would help them develop a recipe using their Light Queso Fresco with Chipotle.  At first I imagined delicious, spicy cheesy nachos loaded with all the fixin’s.

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But, I figured, that might be too predictable.  In the past, I’ve used these 1 points+ cheese wedges on sandwich, in wraps, crepes and on crackers.

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But, tonight, I took these spicy cheese wedges to a whole new level with a Spicy Queso Fredo Sauce that melted beautifully over crisp veggies, spicy sausage and whole wheat penne.

You can use any variety of veggies you have on hand ~ just mix and match or buy an already prepared fresh vegetable mix like this Trader Joe’s Asian Veggie Blend.

After cooking up the sausage, add the oil, veggies and garlic to the pan

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Season with crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt and black pepper cooking until crisp tender, about 5-7 minutes.

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Return the cooked sausage to the pan and toss.

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Add the cooked pasta and toss again.

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Drizzle with your super creamy, spicy queso fresco.

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Gently toss everything together and dig in.

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Dessert ~ 5 Cadbury Mini Eggs for 2 points+!

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Q’s

How have you used your Laughing Cow Cheese?

I have used it to make Mock Grilled Cheese and my favorite combination is with Jam on Crackers.  The options really are endless.

Night all!

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Filed Under: Product Reviews, Recipes Tagged With: Pasta

« Name one GOOD thing….
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Comments

  1. Phyllis says

    March 27, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    My favorite snack right now is the laughing cow blue cheese with carrot chips (not packaged chips – but fresh zero point carrots sliced to look like little chips). Makes me so happy!

    Reply
  2. Josie says

    March 27, 2012 at 9:40 pm

    Ok YUM I am so making this…gotta find that flavor! I use the swiss as my spread in place of mayo on sandwiches…also spread toast and add tuna and it’s a tuna melt! I just got the sun dried tomato one so far I used it on a burger..I think it might be tasty for pasta as well!! I need to get those yogurts for camping this weekend!

    Reply
  3. LaKendra says

    March 27, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    I loved putting a couple wedges of the Light Creamy Swiss in a bowl with some salsa and then microwaving for a yummy hot dip with some baked tortilla scoops!

    I have a question though: I always love how your “fried” egg looks! How do you prepare it?

    Reply
    • DanicasDaily says

      March 28, 2012 at 4:58 pm

      Hi LaKendra,

      The trick to frying delicious eggs is low heat and nonstick spray. Here is a post wehre I did a step by step showing how I make mine.

      http://danicasdaily.com/not-cho-average-nachos-weight-watchers-updates

      Danica

      Reply
      • LaKendra says

        March 31, 2012 at 12:23 am

        Perfecto! Thanks for the sharing your method…definitely thinking this is on the menu somewhere tomorrow!

        Reply
  4. Tamara says

    March 28, 2012 at 7:22 am

    That dinner looks seriously delicious, Danica! I’m impressed that you whipped it up on the fly. I have been trying to find the Queso Fresco & Chipotle Laughing Cow wedges for a long time now… one of these days I’ll track them down!

    Reply
  5. Tammy W. says

    March 28, 2012 at 7:27 am

    What brand of coconut almond granola do you use? where do you buy it? I love coconut!! Thanks.

    Reply
    • DanicasDaily says

      March 28, 2012 at 5:00 pm

      HI Tammy,

      Here is the recipe I use to make the Coconut Almond Granola – it’s one of my favorites and so easy to make.

      http://www.katheats.com/favorite-foods/coconut-almond-granola

      2 Tbsp = 1 points+, 1/4 cup = 2 points+

      Danica

      Reply
  6. Cherri says

    March 28, 2012 at 8:02 am

    Your dinner looks delish!! Actually last night I made a quick dinner by heating up a grilled chicken breast and topping it with one Queso Fresco and Chipotle Laughing Cow wedge and some salsa. So yummy!

    Reply
  7. Kathleen says

    March 28, 2012 at 8:02 am

    Your dinner looks so delicious! I’ll definitely put these items on my list for next grocery trip! I love to top the Light Creamy Swiss with Raspberry Chipotle and spread it on crackers. Delicious snack!

    Reply
  8. Biz says

    March 28, 2012 at 8:41 am

    I recently found the buffalo laughing cow – I thought of putting it in celery and having naked buffalo chicken tenders on the side – still need to make it!

    Your pasta looks amazing – great job on getting the lunch time work out in too! 😀

    Reply
    • DanicasDaily says

      March 28, 2012 at 5:02 pm

      Biz,

      You have been on my mind all week. I saw your question earlier about points+ versus calories and I am going to answer…..I just need time to sit down and do it 🙂

      Buffalo Laughing Cow?! OH, I need to find that!

      Danica

      Reply
  9. carla sue says

    March 28, 2012 at 10:42 am

    I like to put a cheese wedge in my egg mug breakfasts……makes a cheesy scrambled egg in a mug! Im still looking for the cinnamon and buffalo flavors in my town

    Reply
  10. Terri says

    March 28, 2012 at 11:05 am

    Danica this looks great, can’t wait to try. I am having a terrible time finding the TJ fat free multi grain bread in my area, its been two weeks my TJ has not had it, was wondering if you or any one else is having the same problems?

    thanks
    Terri

    Reply
    • DanicasDaily says

      March 28, 2012 at 5:09 pm

      Hi Terri,

      I have actually received quite a few comments/questions about Trader Joe’s FF Multi-Grain bread. I heard a bad rumor that it has been discontinued, but, I have yet to go to my local store to find out. I think I need to…..We need to all write Trader Joe’s and tell them they NEEEEEEED that bread LOL.

      I will let you know what I find out.

      Danica

      Reply
  11. Wendi says

    March 29, 2012 at 4:52 am

    I love using the laughing cow original (light) as a sub. for cream cheese on my bagels, I also have recently discovered Trader Joe’s Multiseed with Soy Sauce mini rice crackers (35ish for 3PP), these dipped into a laughing cow wedge, MMM. 🙂

    I’m so excited to try the above recipe.

    Reply
  12. Elizabeth says

    September 11, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    I used the same laughing cow cheese in mashed potatoes. SO yummy. I have a quick question even though the post is rather old but do you know how many calories per serving? I’m planning on making it for dinner and was curious since I am counting calories. Thanks!

    Reply
    • DanicasDaily says

      September 15, 2012 at 3:09 pm

      Hi Elizabeth,

      It is 292 calories per serving. You can see all the nutritional stats in the box above if you would like to further know the breakdown.

      Hope you enjoyed dinner!

      Danica

      Reply

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About Danica

Whether she’s enjoying a dish at a local restaurant or whipping up a crowd-pleasing, nutritious meal at home, Danica has a passion for all things food. She believes in and follows the Weight Watchers principle of “all things in moderation” and chronicles her culinary adventures here. Besides sharing her daily eats and tasty, nutritious recipes, Danica connects others seeking a healthier lifestyle on her site and shares her travel adventures around the world.

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