Lemony Pasta with Spinach

This pasta and spinach combination can be served as a side dish or an entree and works very well with the vegan adaption. It can also be made gluten free with appropriate pasta. To make it a one-dish meal for heartier appetites, add some chopped rotisserie chicken or other protein.

See the original Bon Apetit recipe for the real deal; my version uses ingredients I typically have on hand.

Lemony Pasta and with Spinach

  • 2-4 Tablespoons butter or olive oil (or use Earth Balance Buttery spread to make this recipe Vegan)
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • dash of red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup Italian-style Panko bread crumbs
  • 1-1/2 Tablespoons fresh lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 lb package of penne or spiral pasta
  • 8-12 oz fresh spinach
  • 1/3-1/2 Cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/3 Cup chopped preserved lemon

Cook pasta according to package directions.

Add 1-2 Tablespoons butter or olive oil to a skillet and turn heat to high (9 on a scale of 0-9). Add garlic and stir one minute over heat.

Reduce heat to medium (5 on a scale of 0-9) and add red pepper flakes. Stir one more minute.

Add panko bread crumbs and stir. Continue cooking on medium heat for one more minute. Add lemon zest, salt and pepper and stir, cooking one final minute. Panko should be slightly brown by now.

Turn off heat and pour panko mixture onto paper towels to absorb excess grease.

Place the spinach in a covered bowl or a large Ziploc bag and cook in the microwave on high for 3 minutes. Carefully open bag or cover away from face and body to prevent steam burns. Toss cooked spinach with 1 Tablespoon butter or olive oil.

Add cooked spinach to drained pasta and combine. It may be difficult to get the clumps of spinach to mingle with the pasta, just keep working at it with two long handled spoons or a pair of tongs.

Mix in the lemon juice and chopped preserved lemon. Taste. Add a little more salt, pepper, or even red pepper flakes if desired.

Pour in serving bowl and top with toasted panko.

Serves: 4-6

This can be made with gluten-free pasta and gluten-free Panko. Add chopped Rotisserie chicken for a filling one-dish meal.