Couscous with Spinach and Pine Nuts
Elevate your weeknight meals with this vibrant and nutritious Couscous with Spinach and Pine Nuts recipe. Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this dish combines fluffy, tender couscous with sautéed fresh spinach, buttery toasted pine nuts, and a hint of zesty lemon. Perfectly seasoned with garlic and a touch of black pepper, it strikes the ideal balance of earthy, nutty, and citrusy notes. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is perfect as a wholesome side or a light vegetarian main course. Packed with nutrient-rich spinach and satisfying textures, it’s a versatile dish that’s as healthy as it is delicious. Serve it warm and watch it become a new family favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup couscous
- 1.25 cups water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 0.25 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, bring 1.25 cups of water, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, butter, and salt to a boil.
Remove the saucepan from heat, add the couscous, and stir briefly. Cover with a lid and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the couscous to absorb the water.
While the couscous is resting, heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and toast them, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and minced garlic. Cook over medium heat for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wilted.
Fluff the couscous with a fork to separate the grains, then stir it into the skillet with the sautéed spinach.
Add the toasted pine nuts, lemon juice, and black pepper to the couscous mixture. Toss gently to combine.
Remove the skillet from heat and taste. Adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice if desired.
Serve warm as a side dish or light main course.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
803 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 62.9 g | 81% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.4 g | 62% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 14.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 33 mg | 11% | |
| Sodium | 1659 mg | 72% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 48.8 g | 18% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.7 g | 24% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.0 g | ||
| Protein | 14.1 g | 28% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 162 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 6.7 mg | 37% | |
| Potassium | 335 mg | 7% | |
*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.
