low calorie fettucine with creamy ham sauce

OK, so the new year is well and truly here, and it's time to wonder why exactly we ate all that food over the holidays. It's calorie counting time, so here is a recipe that is not only quick and easy to make, it's low in calories and can be made with fettucine, or for even fewer calories use cooked spaghetti squash. This recipe is taken from the amazing New Dieter's Cookbook (Better Homes & Gardens (Paperback)).

Preparation time: 20 mins; Cooking time: 10 mins; Low Fat; Low Cholesterol
344 calories with fettucine; 230 calories if using spaghetti squash

Ingredients
1 12-ounce can evaporated skim milk
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup shredded Swiss cheese (1 1/2-ounces)
1 cup sliced fully cooked lean ham, cut into thin strips (about 5 ounces)
1 cup cooked broccoli or cauliflower cut into bite-size pieces
2-1/2-ounce sliced mushrooms
6 ounces fettucine, cooked and drained (3 cups cooked)*
2 tablespoons sliced green onions (optional)

Method
1. In a medium saucepan stir together milk, cornstarch, mustard, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir over medium heat till thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more.

2. Add cheese; stir till melted. Stir in ham, broccoli or cauliflower, and mushrooms. Cook and stir until heated through. Pour over hot pasta. If desired, garnish with sliced green onions. Makes 4 servings.

Microwave Directions
In a 1-1/2-quart casserole combine milk, cornstarch, mustard, salt and pepper. Micro-cook on 100% power (high) for 4 to 6 minutes (6 to 8 minutes in low wattage ovens) or till thickened and bubbly, stirring after every minute. Add cheese, stirring till melted. Add ham, broccoli or cauliflower, and mushrooms. Cook 2 to 3 minutes more (4 to 5 minutes in low wattage ovens) or till heated through. Serve as directed above.

* Note: If desired, omit the fettucine and serve the ham mixture over 3 cups cooked spaghetti squash. This reduced the calories per serving to 230.

Nutrition information per serving: 344 calories, 24g protein, 49g carbohydrate, 5g fat, 31mg cholesterol, 766mg sodium, 619mg potassium.