Chef notes
Want something that's full of flavor but don't have a fridge full of fresh ingredients? This hearty pasta dish has nutrient-rich spinach (it's frozen), sharp Parmesan cheese (you can use the shelf-stable kind), breadcrumbs and immune-boosting garlic.
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry penne pasta
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 large garlic cloves, cleaned and sliced very thin
- 1 package frozen spinach, cooked and drained of excess water
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup seasoned Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Preparation
1.In a large pot of lightly salted water, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water.
2.In a medium sauté pan, heat olive oil over low heat and cook garlic until golden, about 2 minutes. Add spinach, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes while stirring. Add red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3.Add pasta to the pan, along with a few spoonfuls of pasta water, and drizzle with olive oil. Simmerover low to medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes while stirring. Finally, add breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese; toss all ingredients and plate. Serve immediately.
