Bistro Pasta

Escape to a cozy corner café with this quick and satisfying Bistro Pasta recipe—a perfect blend of simplicity and elegance in every bite. Featuring al dente spaghetti tossed in a silky garlic and olive oil sauce, this dish is elevated by the burst of juicy cherry tomatoes, the freshness of baby spinach, and a hint of spice from red pepper flakes. Finished with a generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese and aromatic basil, this 30-minute pasta captures the warmth of a rustic Italian bistro right in your kitchen. Ideal for busy weeknights or a casual dinner with friends, Bistro Pasta is a deliciously light yet flavorful meal you'll want to serve again and again.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 pieces garlic cloves
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 0.5 cups parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 cups fresh basil leaves

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Mince the garlic cloves, then add them to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 3

Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet, cooking until they start to soften and release their juices, about 5 minutes. Gently press some of the tomatoes with the back of a spoon to burst them.

Step 4

Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in the butter, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.

Step 5

Add the baby spinach to the skillet, tossing gently until wilted, about 2 minutes.

Step 6

Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to combine. If the pasta seems dry, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water, 2 tablespoons at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

Step 7

Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss well to coat. Adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 8

Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving and enjoy your Bistro Pasta!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	871.3 grams (871.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1276

Total Fat 70.30g	90%
Saturated Fat 28.10g	141%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 107mg	36%
Sodium 2798mg	122%
Total Carbohydrate 123.30g	45%
Dietary Fiber 12.90g	46%
Total Sugars 11.10g
Protein 41.60g	83%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 640mg	49%
Iron 11mg	59%
Potassium 889mg	19%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.0%

Protein: 12.9%

Carbs: 38.2%