Description
A quick and delicious pasta dish with garlic, spinach, and toasted pine nuts, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250 grams (1/2 lb) spelt pasta
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) pasta water
- 40 grams (1/2 cup) pine nuts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, finely sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes (optional)
- 100 grams (3 cups, packed) fresh spinach
- Zest of a lemon
- Juice of a lemon (~3-4 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and salt it generously.
- Add spelt pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes for al dente).
- While the pasta cooks, heat a frying pan over low to medium heat and toast the pine nuts for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- In the same pan, add olive oil and sauté the finely sliced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Season with sea salt, black pepper, and hot pepper flakes (if using).
- Add fresh spinach, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir until the spinach wilts (about 2 minutes).
- Reserve about 60 ml (1/4 cup) of pasta water, then drain the pasta and add it to the garlic spinach mixture. Mix well, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a silkier sauce.
- Serve immediately, topping each serving with toasted pine nuts.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: pasta, easy dinner, vegetarian recipe, garlic spinach, quick meals
