Low(er) Fat Fettuccine Alfredo

My family affectionately refers to Alfredo sauce as "heart attack on a plate" and with good reason.  A single serving can set you back between 600-900 calories and 40-60 grams of fat!!!  But, if you're like me, you need a white pasta sauce...oh about once a year.  This recipe cuts out the heavy cream and eggs (and thus loads of fat and calories.)   It features Neufchatel cheese, a soft cheese that is naturally a bit lower in fat and calories. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any of this so I substituted it with reduced fat cream cheese.  I promise this was just as rich and satisfying and I won't be needing any more until next January :-)

Source: Allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 12 ounces dry fettuccine pasta*
• 1 cup nonfat milk
• 1/2 cup reduced fat margarine
• 8 ounces Neufchatel cheese, cubed
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon onion salt
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water cook fettuccini until al dente. Drain.
2. Combine milk, cubed Neufchatel cheese, butter or margarine, garlic powder, onion powder, minced garlic, and salt. Stir until smooth. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until blended.
3. Toss pasta with Alfredo sauce and serve warm.

*I love this pasta from Trader Joe's because the noodles are nice and thick.  Delicious!