Pasta Fresca
Bright, fresh, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, Pasta Fresca is a simple yet elegant dish that celebrates the beauty of fresh ingredients. Featuring al dente spaghetti or linguine tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, tender baby spinach, and fragrant garlic, this recipe is elevated with a zesty hint of lemon and fresh basil. A touch of red chili flakes adds gentle heat, while a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese completes the dish with creamy, savory goodness. Ready in just 25 minutes, Pasta Fresca is a quick, one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Healthy, light, and utterly delicious, this recipe epitomizes easy Italian-inspired cooking at its best.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 g spaghetti or linguine
- 200 g cherry tomatoes
- 150 g baby spinach
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 units garlic cloves
- 0.5 tsp red chili flakes
- 50 g Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 10 leaves fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Finely mince the garlic cloves and add them to the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and add them to the skillet with the garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices.
Add the baby spinach to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until wilted.
Stir in the red chili flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it with the vegetable mixture. If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the lemon zest and fresh basil leaves.
Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
251 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 10.9 g | 14% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.4 g | 17% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 7 mg | 2% | |
| Sodium | 707 mg | 31% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 28.1 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.2 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.9 g | ||
| Protein | 10.7 g | 21% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 191 mg | 15% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 180 mg | 4% | |
*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.
