Italian Style Pasta Toss
Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this vibrant and wholesome Italian Style Pasta Toss, a quick and easy dish bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Featuring perfectly cooked penne, spaghetti, or fusilli tossed in a luscious olive oil and garlic base, this recipe showcases juicy cherry tomatoes, tender spinach leaves, and briny black olives, all brought to life with fragrant fresh basil. Finished with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a hint of optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, this 35-minute recipe is as simple as it is satisfying. Ideal for busy nights, this pasta is a one-pan marvel that's light, nutritious, and utterly delicious. Pair it with crusty bread or a crisp green salad for a complete Italian-inspired feast!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 350 grams Pasta (penne, spaghetti, or fusilli)
- 4 tablespoons Olive oil
- 4 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
- 250 grams Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 100 grams Fresh spinach leaves
- 50 grams Black olives, sliced
- 10 grams Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoons Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
- 4 liters Water for boiling pasta
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water (4 liters) to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.
Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden.
Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and release their juices.
Stir in the fresh spinach leaves and cook for another 2-3 minutes until wilted.
Add the sliced black olives, chopped basil leaves, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it with the vegetables and olive oil mixture to coat evenly. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water (1-2 tablespoons at a time) to loosen it up.
Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Toss gently to combine and melt the cheese slightly.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1429 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 83.4 g | 107% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.1 g | 106% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 50 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 3694 mg | 161% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 130.1 g | 47% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.3 g | 51% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.7 g | ||
| Protein | 46.7 g | 93% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 735 mg | 57% | |
| Iron | 7.1 mg | 39% | |
| Potassium | 1389 mg | 30% | |
*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.
