Italian Style Pasta Toss

Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this vibrant and wholesome Italian Style Pasta Toss, a quick and easy dish bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Featuring perfectly cooked penne, spaghetti, or fusilli tossed in a luscious olive oil and garlic base, this recipe showcases juicy cherry tomatoes, tender spinach leaves, and briny black olives, all brought to life with fragrant fresh basil. Finished with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a hint of optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, this 35-minute recipe is as simple as it is satisfying. Ideal for busy nights, this pasta is a one-pan marvel that's light, nutritious, and utterly delicious. Pair it with crusty bread or a crisp green salad for a complete Italian-inspired feast!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 350 grams Pasta (penne, spaghetti, or fusilli)
• 4 tablespoons Olive oil
• 4 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
• 250 grams Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 100 grams Fresh spinach leaves
• 50 grams Black olives, sliced
• 10 grams Fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese, grated
• 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 4 liters Water for boiling pasta

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water (4 liters) to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining, then set the pasta aside.

Step 2

Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly golden.

Step 3

Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and release their juices.

Step 4

Stir in the fresh spinach leaves and cook for another 2-3 minutes until wilted.

Step 5

Add the sliced black olives, chopped basil leaves, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir well.

Step 6

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing it with the vegetables and olive oil mixture to coat evenly. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water (1-2 tablespoons at a time) to loosen it up.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Toss gently to combine and melt the cheese slightly.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	4885.4 grams (4885.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1429

Total Fat 83.40g	107%
Saturated Fat 21.10g	106%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.30g
Cholesterol 50mg	17%
Sodium 3694mg	161%
Total Carbohydrate 130.10g	47%
Dietary Fiber 14.30g	51%
Total Sugars 10.70g
Protein 46.70g	93%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 735mg	57%
Iron 7mg	39%
Potassium 1389mg	30%

*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: 51.5%

Protein: 12.8%

Carbs: 35.7%