Penne with Wilted Lettuce Pine Nuts and Parmesan
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this elegant yet simple recipe for Penne with Wilted Lettuce, Pine Nuts, and Parmesan. This dish highlights the delicate combination of nutty toasted pine nuts and lightly wilted butterhead or romaine lettuce, creating a unique twist on classic pasta recipes. A luscious sauce of olive oil, butter, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese coats al dente penne, while a hint of lemon zest adds an irresistible brightness. Ready in just 30 minutes, this vegetarian pasta is perfect for busy nights, offering a quick and flavorful meal that feels effortlessly gourmet. Serve it fresh, garnished with extra Parmesan, and let this pasta dish become your new go-to for simple sophistication. Perfect search terms include easy pasta recipes, quick vegetarian dinners, and unique penne pasta dishes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams penne pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 units garlic cloves, minced
- 50 grams pine nuts
- 200 grams butterhead or romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat until the butter has melted.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
Add the pine nuts to the skillet and toast them for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden brown.
Stir the chopped lettuce into the pan, cooking for 1-2 minutes until it has just wilted.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet, tossing to combine. Gradually add some of the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, to help loosen the mixture and create a light sauce.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and lemon zest, allowing the cheese to melt and coat the pasta. Adjust the consistency with more pasta water if needed.
Season the dish with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
417 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 25.7 g | 33% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.0 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 18 mg | 6% | |
| Sodium | 713 mg | 31% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 35.3 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.1 g | 11% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.1 g | ||
| Protein | 12.7 g | 25% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 180 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 248 mg | 5% | |
*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.
