With so much on your plate, you don’t always have time to plan fresh, gourmet meals. Luckily, you’ve got the smarts to know sometimes you’ll need a quick dinner that’s diet-compatible. You’ve stocked up on healthy, nonperishable essentials, like pasta and canned baby clams, and can create a nutritious meal in a snap. All you need is a quick-and-easy recipe, like this one for Black Bean Spaghetti with Spicy Clam Sauce, to lead the way to a delicious dinner. While the water boils, prep a few fresh ingredients, and you’ll have the sauce ready before the pasta’s done. That’s a plateful you can make time for!
Black Bean Spaghetti with Spicy Clam Sauce
Serves 4
Macros per serving (excluding shredded Parmesan): 295 calories | 8.3 g net carbs | 39 g protein
Ingredients
20 oz. clams (with juice)
7 oz. black bean spaghetti
½ cup carrots, shredded
¼ cup fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1 Tbsp. garlic, chopped (I used jarred)
1/8 tsp. ground cayenne pepper
1 Roma tomato, diced and set on paper towel to drain
1 yellow onion, diced
1-2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Parmesan cheese, shredded (optional)
Directions
- Cook and drain pasta according to package directions.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté onion with garlic and cayenne until slightly browned.
- Add clams and ½ cup of clam juice. Add carrots, parsley and lemon juice and cook 3-4 minutes until carrots have softened.
- Serve a fourth of the spaghetti with a fourth of the clam sauce. Top with diced tomatoes, extra parsley and Parmesan cheese, if desired.