Warm pasta tossed with fresh basil and spinach in a very light cream sauce is an example of seasonal eating at it's best. Inspired by the basil that is flourishing in our garden, this was a fun twist on pesto pasta and it still contained a fabulous load of flavor from the fresh basil.
While I absolutely loved this pasta, my kids were less than impressed. Both of my older boys would have been happier without the greens and my youngest happily removed all green items from his plate before he ate the rest of his pasta. I'm calling this recipe a keeper though, because I have every intention of making this again, just for myself!
Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Basil and Spinach
recipe loosely adapted from Everyday Food
8 ounces short pasta, I used brown rice fusilli
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 generous handfuls baby spinach, about 4 cups
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan
kosher salt, to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta, the minced garlic and a generous pinch of salt. Cook the pasta just until tender and then scoop out 1/2 a cup of the pasta water. Set the water aside and then drain the pasta.
Pour the cream into the bottom of the same pot and warm it over medium heat. Once it is warm, add the pasta and about 1/4 cup of the reserved water back into the pot and toss gently to coat the pasta well. Add the basil and spinach leaves and toss to wilt. Season generously with salt and pepper and cook over medium low heat for a couple minutes, tossing constantly. Stir in Parmesan and remaining water as needed in order to achieve a creamy sauce that coats the pasta. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. Enjoy!
Click here for printable recipe
Catching Fireflies is giving away a $43 gift card to one of my readers! I had a great time browsing through all the categories in their store. There are so many fun and unique items that I have already put on my own wish list. Earth Friendly Gifts, Summer Fun, Office Fun, Weddings, Babies, Kids, and a whole section devoted to Great Gift Ideas and so much more. Naturally, the Kitchen items caught my eye and I am now dreaming of the Food Face Plates for my own kids. I love them!
All you have to do to enter the giveaway is comment on this post. The giveaway ends on Sunday, July 1st at 9:00 pm Pacific Time. Winner will be announced on Monday morning, July 2nd! GIVEAWAY CLOSED. Winner announcement here!
ONE YEAR AGO TODAY: Herbed Zucchini Bake
This looks super yummy. The combination of spinach, pasta, and cheese is one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThe pasta looks incredibly creamy and wonderful! If served to me, I would have eaten everything... green and all. :)
ReplyDeleteoh my! looks delish! Thanks for a super giveaway!
ReplyDeleteMy email: anashct1 [at] yahoo [dot] com
I've been craving basil infused pasta dishes lately so this sounds just perfect! And the more greens the better, in my opinion!
ReplyDeleteThis looks really good! my basil is taking off - will have to put this on the menu this week. THanks Mary!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, this looks tasty. My stomach is actually rumbling right now.
ReplyDeletebuona questa pasta, complimenti! un bacione e buon inizio settimana :)
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious!!
ReplyDeleteI do miss pasta since we're doing the gluten free thing. A simple cream sauce with fresh basil - sounds terrific! I hope my basil gets on with it so I can make and freeze some pesto soon. Great photos too! Hope you are / or will enjoy your camping trip.
ReplyDeleteHey Tricia, I actually used a brown rice pasta when I made this and it turned out perfectly. It is definitely worth playing with the different kinds of pasta to find one you like! We've had great luck with a couple of different corn pastas too.
DeleteThank you so much! I love a summer pasta salad with fresh tomatoes, etc. so I will try the brown rice pasta soon. Thanks again Mary.
DeleteI'm completely gluten free and I love quinoa pasta. Also Schars pasta acts like "regular" pasta and doesn't get gummy. Looks delicious Mary.
DeleteThis looks bellisimo!!!! :)
Delete-chris
Can not wait to try this. Pasta a and basil are two of my favorite things. And the giftcard to chasing fireflies would be fabulous. Their items are incredible.
ReplyDeleteCan not wait to try this. Pasta a and basil are two of my favorite things. And the giftcard to chasing fireflies would be fabulous. Their items are incredible.
ReplyDeleteThis looks so delicious and what a great giveaway!! Such a fun way to start the week.
ReplyDeleteLovely giveaway!
ReplyDeleteWow, the food looks really appetizing!
ReplyDeleteYummy!
ReplyDeleteMy faorvite spice has always been basil, can't wait to see who wins the giveaway!
Fresh basil makes everything top notch! :-)
ReplyDeleteLove parmesan on pasta. This looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like one of our family's favorites, but it's made with ricotta instead of cream. Looks yummy, can't believe the boys didn't like it---they like everything!
ReplyDeleteIt looks good to me! My kids actually like green things so I think they would actually eat this and ask for more! :)
ReplyDeleteThe pasta looks creamy and delicious.
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteaunteegem@yahoo.com
This looks like a great pasta salad for summer! YUM!
ReplyDeleteThis is right up my alley Mary! I would love the added greens and a light cream sauce is perfect for the warmer weather.
ReplyDeleteIt looks so creamy and delicious!
ReplyDeleteI should plan my entire menu off your blog.
ReplyDeletethis recipe looks like a winner.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the perfect pasta dish. I would love it for a nice summer meal.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely fresh pasta! I love parmesan and cream sauce more than any other pasta sauce, and I love that all the ingredients are things I usually have on hand - beautiful job!
ReplyDeletethis pasta looks amazing! i can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteThis pasta sounds wonderful and looks even better. Great photos. A great Summer pasta dish that I must make soon. I've got a basil plant that bursting with leaves. Thanks for this giveaway, I'd love to win.
ReplyDeletegreat looking recipe! bunkie.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, my basil is just growing so fast in my garden and I've ran out of recipes --- but now I have another recipe for basil --yey!
ReplyDeletethis pasta looks fantastic, i love fresh basil!
ReplyDeleteCommenting, 'cuz I like to win stuff. Also, I am starving. I need to move in so that I can eat all this deliciousness.
ReplyDeleteThis looks great! I made something similar recently. What is it about basil and Parmesan? Yum!
ReplyDeleteThat looks so yummy! :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe if you pureed the spinach into the sauce they would be more inclined to eat it? Just an idea. I love my greens though, I bet it would be great with swiss chard or even some kale in there!
ReplyDeleteGosh this looks scrumptious!
ReplyDeleteYummy going to make for dinner tonight!!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
mnr91199@yahoo.com
This recipe looks so good! I can't wait to go pluck some basil and whip this up!
ReplyDeletelooks so tasty. sounds like a great company - thanks for the introduction to them.
ReplyDeletefruitcrmble AT comcast DOT net
Looks absolutely delicious! You make me want to get up and go cook right now, hehe.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway. :)
floatingpyramids at gmail.com
Yum for the salad! I like your recipes!
ReplyDeleteMade this for 12 people on Tuesday and served it with a big salad, breadsticks, and fresh fruit and sorbet for dessert. It was a huge hit and SO quick and easy to make, I didn't waste a lot of time in the kitchen instead of spending it with my guests, which is what happens every time I host a dinner.
ReplyDeleteYUM!! I can't wait to try this dish. Love love love your ideas and recipes!
ReplyDelete