ARTICHOKE FLORENTINE PASTA

Artichoke Florentine Pasta image

Pasta loaded with artichokes and creamy cheese is everything a Sunday dinner should be: rich, tasty and memorable. Add cooked chicken, shrimp or crab if you like. -Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 35m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
6 tablespoons butter, divided
4 garlic cloves, minced
12 ounces fresh baby spinach (about 16 cups)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups 2% milk
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup white wine or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cans (14 ounces each) water-packed artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
1/3 cup Italian-style panko bread crumbs

Steps:

Cook pasta according to package directions. In a 6-qt. Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 30 seconds. Add spinach; cook and stir just until wilted, 1-2 minutes. Remove from pot., In same pot, melt remaining butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 2-3 minutes. Add Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, wine and seasonings; stir until smooth. Stir in artichoke hearts; heat through., Drain pasta; add to sauce, tossing to coat. Stir in spinach mixture. Transfer to a serving dish; sprinkle with bread crumbs. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 523 calories, Fat 21g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 57mg cholesterol, Sodium 993mg sodium, Carbohydrate 61g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 21g protein.