This meal in a skillet is about as easy as you can get. It's also quick and economical and makes use of inexpensive canned tuna--so no thawing out of ingredients! In addition to being quite tasty--it's cheesy, creamy, and comforting--the meal is nutritious. It's loaded with vegetables, protein, and whole grains. By using whole-grain linguine, the dish also is acceptable if you're on a diabetic diet or want to "eat healthy"--as long as you keep your portions moderate (as always, of course!). The skillet meal is great with just a salad alongside. Enjoy!
Tuna, Noodle, and Spinach Skillet Meal -- Serves 4+
2-3 teaspoons of canola oil
1/2 cup of chopped onion
4 ounces of sliced or chopped mushrooms (button mushrooms are fine)
1/4-1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4-1/2 teaspoon of pepper
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
12-ounce can of chunk light tuna in water, drained
2 cups of water
5-6 ounces of whole-grain linguine noodles (about 1/3 or a 16-ounce box), broken into
thirds
1/2 cup of light sour cream
1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt
2-4 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese
6-8 ounces of fresh spinach (4-5 good handfuls)
3/4-1 cup of cheddar cheese, divided
Heat the oil in a deep, non-stick skillet and add the onions, mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Saute the vegetables for 5-8 minutes or until they begin to release their juices and soften. Stir in the garlic powder, the tuna, and the water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add the linguine noodles and stir them in well. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer the mixture, partially covered, for about 10 minutes or until the noodles are as tender as you like them. Turn the heat to low and stir in the sour cream, yogurt, and Parmesan cheese until blended. Stir in the spinach, a handful at a time, letting it wilt into the mixture. Stir in half of the cheddar cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar on top of the mixture. Turn off the heat and recover the pan with the lid for a few minutes or just long enough to melt the cheese on top of the tuna mixture. Serve the meal from the skillet for easier cleanup.
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