Description
Mediterranean bliss pasta brings sun-kissed flavors from Greece and Italy onto your plate. Fragrant herbs, tender vegetables, and zesty olive oil create a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Primary Ingredients:
- 10 ounces (283 grams) farfalle bow-tie pasta
- 5 ounces (142 grams) fresh spinach, chopped
- 8 ounces (227 grams) grape tomatoes (2 colors: red and yellow), sliced in half
- 6 ounces (170 grams) crumbled feta cheese
Seasonings and Herbs:
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
Liquid and Oil:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Fill a spacious pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge pasta and cook following package guidelines until al dente. Carefully drain the pasta in a colander, reserving a small amount of cooking water.
- Prepare a generous skillet by heating it over medium temperature. Add halved grape tomatoes, finely chopped garlic, kosher salt, sweet paprika, aromatic Italian seasoning, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Sauté the tomato mixture for approximately 2 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to soften and release their natural juices, creating a vibrant base for the dish.
- Gently incorporate fresh baby spinach leaves into the skillet, stirring until the greens wilt and become tender, approximately 30-45 seconds.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the vegetable mixture, allowing it to slightly melt and distribute its tangy flavor throughout the skillet.
- Introduce the drained pasta into the vegetable medley, drizzling with fresh lemon juice. Carefully toss the ingredients to ensure even coating and thorough integration of flavors.
- Warm the entire mixture over medium heat for an additional minute, stirring consistently. If the pasta appears dry, incorporate an extra tablespoon of olive oil to enhance moisture and richness.
Notes
- Elevate your pasta game with this quick and vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dish bursting with fresh flavors.
- Cooking tomatoes on medium heat helps release their natural sweetness and creates a delicious base sauce without additional liquid.
- Fresh spinach wilts rapidly, adding a nutrient-dense green element that seamlessly blends with the tangy feta cheese.
- Lemon juice provides a bright, zesty finish that cuts through the richness of olive oil and cheese, balancing the entire dish.
- Select ripe, juicy grape tomatoes for maximum flavor and ensure they’re halved to help them cook down quickly and evenly.
- Crumbled feta cheese adds a creamy, salty dimension that transforms this simple pasta into a restaurant-worthy meal in under 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 376 kcal
- Sugar: 4.5 g
- Sodium: 452 mg
- Fat: 16.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43.5 g
- Fiber: 3.8 g
- Protein: 15.6 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg