Chicken and Broccoli Penne with Alfredo Sauce

I am posting this recipe at the request of a client. It is easy, delicious, and freezes well. As opposed to traditional Alfredo sauce, this one is a lightened up version. Much like deep frying, I try to avoid heavy cream sauces at all costs. I would much rather spend those calories on a gooey chocolate brownie or something sinful like that. This Alfredo sauce uses light cream cheese to give it a rich creamy texture.

Grilled Chicken, Broccoli and Penne Alfredo

16 ounces penne pasta (I like Barilla Plus)
2 pounds chicken tenders
1 1/2 pounds broccolli florets
1 recipe Low Fat Alfredo Sauce

Cook pasta according to directions in salted water, add the broccoli florets for the last 4-5 minutes of the cooking time. Drain. Cut chicken tenders into pieces and bake, covered with foil, at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or gently saute in a skillet.

Combine with Alfredo sauce and serve. Makes 8 servings.

If you plan to freeze, simply cool at room temperature or in an ice bath, package and freeze.

Low Fat Alfredo Sauce

1/2 Tablespoon butter
8 ounces light cream cheese
2-3 cloves garlic -- diced
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups nonfat milk
6 ounces mozzarella cheese
4 Tablespoons parmesan cheese

Melt butter in sauce pan on medium heat. Then add the cream cheese and stir till melted and creamy, add garlic and pepper. Gradually pour in the milk and whisk until well blended and creamy. Stir in mozzarella until melted. Finally, stir in the parmesan cheese.
It thickens as it cools. Thin with nonfat milk if needed.

Note: Because nonfat cheeses don't melt quite the same as high-fat cheeses, you may need to pop the sauce in a blender to smooth it out, or use a hand blender. I make sure to whisk thoroughly, so consistency did not seem to be a problem.

Next up - Bake Sale Bonanza!!! There is a big fundraiser this weekend for the local elementary school. So far I am planning to make: Cranberry Maple Pecan Granola, Double Chocolate Biscotti, Cranberry Almond Biscotti, and, if time permits, Pumpkin Bread and/or Chocolate Zucchini Bread. I will be sure to take pictures and post all the recipes I make.