Pasta With Garlicky Spinach and Buttered Pistachios
If you want to get the timing just right on this one — no wasted time! — start the sauce a few minutes after you’ve dropped the pasta into the boiling water. Your spinach should be wilted right around the time the pasta is al dente. If that feels too stressful, or the spinach wilts before the pasta is ready, simply turn the heat under the skillet all the way down to low and keep it warm while the pasta finishes. Don’t count this recipe out if you’re not fond of capers. They add a hint of salty brininess without being in-your-face caper-y. A pound of pasta is a lot to toss around, especially with 2 bunches of spinach in the mix, so save that extra quarter-box for your next pot of pasta e fagioli.
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 12ounces mezze rigatoni or other short pasta
- 4tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½cup roasted salted pistachios, almonds or hazelnuts, chopped
- 4garlic cloves, chopped
- 2tablespoons capers, drained
- 12ounces spinach, stems trimmed to 1-inch length, or Swiss chard, trimmed and chopped
- Grated Parmesan, for serving
Instructions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.Step 2
After pasta has been cooking for about 2 minutes, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the pistachios, garlic and capers and cook, stirring to keep the garlic from scorching, until fragrant, about 1 minute.Step 3
Add spinach to skillet one handful at a time, season with salt and cook, tossing, until wilted, about 1 or 2 minutes.Step 4
Using a slotted spoon, transfer pasta to the skillet along with 1/2 cup pasta water. Season with salt and pepper and cook over medium-high, tossing, until liquid reduces and coats the pasta, 2 to 3 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Serve topped with Parmesan.