Rustic Spinach Pici Pasta Recipe: Home-Made Italian Comfort

Tucked away in the heart of Tuscany, this delightful spinach pici pasta recipe brings rustic Italian charm straight to your kitchen.

Handcrafted noodles with vibrant spinach weave a story of traditional cooking and fresh ingredients.

Each tender strand promises a delectable journey through Italian culinary heritage.

The simple dough comes together with minimal effort, creating a dish that feels both elegant and comforting.

Salt, flour, and fresh spinach dance together to create something truly magical.

Rich green hues and soft, chewy textures make this pasta a standout at any dining table.

Let’s find out this authentic recipe and transform your next meal into a celebration of Italian simplicity.

Serving Ideas That Complement Pici Perfectly

• Rustic Tuscan Charm: Pair this vibrant green pasta with a classic garlic butter sauce, sprinkling fresh parmesan and cracked black pepper for an authentic Italian countryside experience.
• Green Protein Powerhouse: Top the pici with grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp to transform the dish into a nutritious and filling meal that combines elegant presentation with hearty flavors.
• Veggie Lover's Dream: Create a delightful vegetarian option by tossing the pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, and a light olive oil and herb drizzle for a colorful, fresh dining experience.
• Mediterranean Inspiration: Complement the spinach pasta with a zesty lemon-herb sauce, garnished with toasted pine nuts and fresh basil leaves to enhance the earthy green notes of the homemade noodles.

How to Store Leftover Spinach Pasta for Next Time

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store unused spinach pasta dough in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 2 days, wrapping tightly with plastic wrap to prevent moisture loss.
• Freezing Technique: Place uncooked green pasta tubes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freeze individually, then transfer to freezer bags for storage up to 3 weeks without clumping.
• Moisture Protection: Keep fresh pasta slightly dusted with flour to prevent sticking, storing in a single layer on a clean kitchen towel inside the refrigerator for maximum quality retention.
• Sauce Pairing Recommendation: Prepare accompanying sauces in advance and store separately in sealed containers, allowing flavors to develop while keeping pasta and sauce components fresh for convenient meal preparation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 12 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 3

What Goes Into Spinach Pici Pasta

• Baby Spinach: Vibrant green veggie that infuses pasta with rich color and subtle earthy flavor, choose fresh, crisp leaves without wilting or yellowing.
• All-Purpose Flour: Crucial foundation for pasta dough, select high-quality flour with consistent fine texture for smooth, elastic result.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste, balances flavors, and helps strengthen dough structure, use fine-grain sea salt for best distribution.

• Water (not listed in original ingredients but typically needed): Essential liquid that transforms dry ingredients into cohesive, workable pasta dough, use room temperature water for optimal gluten development.

Tools That Help Shape and Cook Hand-Rolled Pasta

• Food processor: Essential for blending spinach, flour, and salt into a smooth green dough.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for handling dough and preparing ingredients.
• Rolling surface: Clean countertop or cutting board for rolling pasta into thin tubes.
• Large pot: Needed for boiling pasta in salted water.
• Slotted spoon: Helps remove pasta from boiling water efficiently.
• Measuring cups/spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

Making Pici Pasta the Spinach Way

• Dough Preparation

In a food processor, blend vibrant green spinach with flour and a hint of salt. The mixture will transform into a silky, emerald-colored dough with a smooth, uniform texture.

• Pasta Shaping

Gently pinch small portions of the dough and roll them into slender, delicate tubes. Each piece should resemble a thin, elegant cylinder that captures the essence of handmade pasta.

• Cooking Process

Carefully drop the green pasta tubes into a pot of bubbling, salted water. Watch as they dance and bob, signaling their readiness when they gracefully float to the surface after 30-60 seconds.

• Serving Style

Plate your freshly cooked spinach pici with a luxurious sauce of your choice. A classic garlic butter drizzle can elevate these homemade noodles into a restaurant-quality dining experience.

Tips to Bring Out the Greens and Garlic

• Knead the spinach pasta dough thoroughly to ensure a uniform color and smooth consistency, preventing any dry flour patches.
• Roll each pici pasta piece between your palms with gentle pressure and a back-and-forth motion for the most authentic, rustic shape.
• Complement the earthy spinach flavor with light, creamy sauces like alfredo, sage brown butter, or simple garlic olive oil to highlight the pasta's vibrant green color.
• Spread uncooked spinach pici on a floured baking sheet and freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag, allowing you to enjoy homemade pasta anytime without clumping.
• Fresh spinach pasta can be refrigerated for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container, or frozen for up to one month, maintaining its delicate texture and rich green hue.

Hearty Spinach Pici Pasta Recipe

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• Total Time: 12 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Homemade spinach pici pasta showcases Tuscan culinary traditions with handcrafted green noodles. Simple ingredients and traditional techniques bring authentic Italian comfort to kitchen tables.

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Ingredients

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• 120 g (4.2 oz) baby spinach
• 180 g (6.3 oz) all-purpose flour
• 0.5 tsp (0.5 teaspoons) salt

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Blend spinach leaves, flour, and salt in a food processor until a smooth, vibrant green dough forms, periodically scraping the sides to ensure consistent texture.
2. Pasta Shaping: Detach small portions of dough and roll between palms, crafting slender, elongated pasta tubes measuring 2-3 inches in length with a uniform cylindrical shape.
3. Boiling Process: Fill a large pot with salted water, bringing to a vigorous boil, then carefully introduce the handcrafted spinach pici, allowing them to cook for 45-60 seconds until they float to the surface.
4. Draining and Serving: Extract pasta using a slotted spoon, transferring to a warm platter and letting excess water drain completely, then generously coat with a complementary sauce like garlic-infused brown butter or rustic tomato ragù, ensuring each emerald strand is thoroughly dressed.

Notes

• Dough Hydration: Adjust flour quantity if spinach releases excess moisture to maintain ideal pasta dough consistency.
• Rolling Technique: Use consistent pressure and gentle hand movements to create uniform, smooth pasta tubes without cracking.
• Boiling Precision: Watch pasta closely during cooking; overcooking leads to mushy texture, while undercooking results in tough, chewy strands.
• Sauce Pairing: Select sauces with robust flavors that complement the earthy spinach undertones without overshadowing the pasta’s delicate green color.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 167 mg
• Fat: 1 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0.8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg