Low Cal Fettuccine Alfredo

I may have mentioned before that I am a firm believer of go big or go home when it comes to my favorite foods but this recipe is good, even if it is low calorie in comparison to regular fettuccine alfredo.  The recipe claims to trim 300+ calories from a standard bowl of fettuccine alfredo.  I just know it's yummy!

1 tsp. unsalted butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp. grated lemon zest
2 tsp. all purpose flour
1 C. low fat milk
Kosher salt
2 tbsp. low fat cream cheese
3/4 C. grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
3 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
12oz. cooked fettuccine
Freshly ground pepper

Make the sauce; melt the butter in skillet over medium heat.  Add the garlic and lemon zest and cook until garlice is slightly soft, about 1 minute.  Add in the flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, 1 minute.  Whisk in the milk and 3/4 tsp. salt and cook, whisking constantly, until just thickened, about 3 minutes.  Add the cream cheese and parmesan cheese; whisk until melted, about 1 minute.  Stir in the chopped parsley.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente; about 2 to 3 minutes.  Reserve 1 C. cooking water, then drain the pasta and return it to the pot.

Add the sauce and 1/2 C. of the reserved cooking water to the pasta and gently toss to combine, adding more water as needed to loosen.  Season with salt.  Divide among bowls and top with parmesan and pepper.