Four Ways to Prepare Prepackaged Pasta Dish - Parmesan Fettuccini & Spinach

(Manufacturer: Knorr)

When I bought a package of Knorr Pasta Sides' Parmesan Fettuccini & Spinach Pasta in a Parmesan Cheese Flavored Sauce with other natural flavor, I thought all I would need was boiling water.

The package listed 3 ways to cook the pasta.

1. The first way, a simple way, to cook the pasta mix is to put it in a pot with 1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 TBspn butter. Cook for 7 minutes or until pasta is tender.

2. A second way, also simple, is to microwave the pasta mix following similar directions to the first method.

3. But, a third way, requires more ingredients and more steps. First, prepare the pasta according to method 1 or 2, when the pasta has been cooking for 5 minutes, add 10oz of frozen spinach, 14oz of artichoke hearts and sour cream. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Top the final dish with 1lb of grilled chicken. Top with 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.

I didn't have artichokes, sour cream, fresh chicken or cheddar cheese.

But, I have gained some confidence in adapting recipes to what I have on hand.

So, I created a fourth way, fairly simple, but does require more ingredients and more steps.

Knorr Packaged Pasta with Spinach and Chicken

Ingredients:

1 package Knorr Pasta Parmesan, Fettuccini & Spinach in a Parmesan Cheese Flavored Sauce

1 1/2 cup water

1/2 milk, lactose-free

1 TBspn olive oil (or butter)

10oz frozen spinach

4oz yogurt, plain

2 dollops vinegar

1 can of chicken breast, drained

Parmesan cheese, dry

Advisory: The plain yogurt I used had a sweet taste.

Process:

• Add pasta mix to large microwavable bowl.
• Add water, milk and olive oil.
• Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
• Add frozen spinach. Stir thoroughly.
• Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes.
• Add yogurt and vinegar. Stir thoroughly.
• Add chicken. Stir thoroughly.
• Reheat if desired.
• Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over each serving.

 Notes:
Attempt to determine cost to make recipe:

$17.00MX Pasta mix
$33.93 1 can of chicken breast, 354 oz, comparison $90 1 whole roasted chicken
$17.45 1 liter milk, deslactosda
$26.00 1 package frozen spinach, 500g
$5.50 - 8 yogurt, plain, 8oz
Olive oil
Parmesan cheese
Vinegar

While I keep receipts, it has been hard to track costs for some reason.