Imagine a dish that combines the comfort of perfectly cooked pasta with the fresh, vibrant flavors of crisp spinach and juicy cherry tomatoes - all ready in just 25 minutes! This Warm Pasta and Spinach Salad is not just a meal; it's a culinary experience that will tantalize your taste buds and impress even the pickiest eaters. Whether you're a busy professional, a home cook looking for a quick weeknight dinner, or someone who craves delicious Italian-inspired cuisine, this recipe is your ticket to a restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup feta cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the 8 oz of pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. Rinse the 4 cups of fresh spinach under cold water and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
- Wash the 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes and slice them in half. Set them aside for later use.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the 2 tbsp of olive oil and 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste to create a simple dressing.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander. Do not rinse the pasta, as you want to keep the starch that helps the dressing adhere.
- In the same pot (off the heat), combine the drained pasta with the fresh spinach. The residual heat from the pasta will wilt the spinach slightly.
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the pasta and spinach mixture. Then, pour the prepared dressing over the top and toss everything together gently until well combined.
- If the salad seems dry, add a little of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Finally, sprinkle the 1/4 cup of feta cheese over the top of the salad and give it one last gentle toss to incorporate.
- Serve the warm pasta and spinach salad immediately, garnished with additional feta cheese if desired. Enjoy your delicious Italian-inspired dish!
Tips
- Salt your pasta water generously - this is your first chance to add flavor to the dish.
- Reserve pasta water before draining; its starchy goodness helps create a silky dressing.
- Don't overcook the pasta - aim for al dente to maintain the perfect texture.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best taste, especially the spinach and cherry tomatoes.
- Toss the salad gently to prevent bruising the spinach and breaking the pasta.
- Serve immediately while the pasta is still warm to slightly wilt the spinach.
- Feel free to customize with additional herbs like fresh basil or add grilled chicken for extra protein.
- For a vegan version, replace feta with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternative.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 321kcal
Carbohydrates: 50g
Protein: 11g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 6mg
