Description
Garlic-infused spinach and tomato pasta brings Mediterranean warmth to home kitchens. Simple ingredients blend perfectly for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) pasta (linguine or favorite type)
- 12 oz (340 g) little tomatoes (grape, cherry, etc.), cut in half
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach, tightly packed
- 5–6 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 tbsps butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil and cook spaghetti or linguine until al dente, typically 8-9 minutes, ensuring a perfect texture that balances tenderness and firmness.
- Sauce Foundation: In a spacious skillet, create a flavor base by combining butter and olive oil over medium heat, then introduce minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, avoiding any browning.
- Tomato and Spinach Transformation: Add ripe tomatoes to the skillet, sprinkling with Italian seasoning, and gently cook until they begin to soften and caramelize. Incorporate fresh spinach leaves, stirring until they wilt and merge harmoniously with the tomato mixture.
- Pasta Integration: Reserve a quarter cup of starchy pasta water before draining, then transfer the hot pasta directly into the skillet. Combine the ingredients, using the reserved water to help the sauce adhere beautifully to each pasta strand.
- Final Flourish: Shower the dish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, tossing to ensure complete coverage. Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, making final flavor adjustments. Serve immediately, optionally garnishing with additional Parmesan and a delicate sprinkle of fresh basil.
Notes
- Preserve Pasta Water: Starchy liquid helps bind sauce to pasta, creating a silky, smooth texture and enhancing overall flavor profile.
- Control Garlic Cooking: Sauté garlic gently to prevent burning, which can introduce bitter notes and ruin the delicate sauce.
- Choose Tomato Ripeness: Select fully ripe tomatoes for maximum sweetness and vibrant color, ensuring a more robust and flavorful dish.
- Season Progressively: Layer salt and seasoning throughout cooking process to build depth and complexity in the final pasta preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg