Bistro Pasta
Escape to a cozy corner café with this quick and satisfying Bistro Pasta recipe—a perfect blend of simplicity and elegance in every bite. Featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a silky garlic and olive oil sauce, this dish is elevated by the burst of juicy cherry tomatoes, the freshness of baby spinach, and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. Finished with a generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese and aromatic basil, this 30-minute pasta captures the warmth of a rustic Italian bistro right in your kitchen. Ideal for busy weeknights or a casual dinner with friends, Bistro Pasta is a deliciously light yet flavorful meal you'll want to serve again and again.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 pieces garlic cloves
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 0.5 cups parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 cups fresh basil leaves
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Mince the garlic cloves, then add them to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet, cooking until they start to soften and release their juices, about 5 minutes. Gently press some of the tomatoes with the back of a spoon to burst them.
Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the butter, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Add the baby spinach to the skillet, tossing gently until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to combine. If the pasta seems dry, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water, 2 tablespoons at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss well to coat. Adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving and enjoy your Bistro Pasta!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1276 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 70.3 g | 90% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.1 g | 140% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 106 mg | 36% | |
| Sodium | 2798 mg | 122% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 123.3 g | 45% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.9 g | 46% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.1 g | ||
| Protein | 41.6 g | 83% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 640 mg | 49% | |
| Iron | 10.6 mg | 59% | |
| Potassium | 889 mg | 19% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
