Orecchiette with Asparagus, Grape Tomatoes, Spinach, and Parmesan
Need a simple and healthy side dish recipe? My daughter had a friend over for dinner who happens to be quite picky, so I wanted to make something that she would be willing to try. After looking through the fridge, I made this orecchiette with asparagus, grape tomatoes, spinach, and parmesan recipe, which was quick and easy. The sautéed veggies tasted great with the orecchiette that was seasoned with olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. We all enjoyed this easy pasta side dish, even my daughter’s friend, and it paired nicely with grilled honey mustard chicken breasts and my house salad.
Orecchiette with Asparagus, Grape Tomatoes, Spinach, and Parmesan
Ingredients:
- ½ lb orecchiette, cooked per instructions
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 cup of grape tomatoes
- 10 spears of asparagus, woody ends removed, chopped
- 2 large cloves of garlic, minced
- Dash of crushed red pepper flakes, more if desired
- 1 cup of baby spinach
- 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- Parmesan cheese, shaved or finely grated
How to Make Orecchiette with Asparagus, Grape Tomatoes, Spinach, and Parmesan
Prepare the orecchiette in a large pot of well-salted water, according to the package instructions.
Drain, reserving ½ cup of the cooking liquid.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the grape tomatoes and chopped asparagus; cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes.
Add the remaining olive oil to the pan, then add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
Add the orecchiette along with spinach, pine nuts, and some reserved liquid, as needed.
Pour into a serving bowl and serve with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy.
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ lb orecchiette cooked per instructions
- 2 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1 cup of grape tomatoes
- 10 spears of asparagus wooden ends removed, chopped
- 2 large cloves of garlic minced
- Dash of crushed red pepper flakes more if desired
- 1 cup of baby spinach
- 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
- Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese shaved or finely grated
Instructions
- Prepare the orecchiette in a large pot of well-salted water, according to the package instructions.
- Drain, reserving ½ cup of the cooking liquid.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the grape tomatoes and chopped asparagus; cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the remaining olive oil to the pan, then add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
- Add the orecchiette along with spinach, pine nuts, and some reserved liquid, as needed.
- Pour into a serving bowl and serve with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy.
Love the simplicity of this dish Pam. I love tomato and asparagus so I know I’ll love this dish. YUM!
I always love your pasta dishes Pam, they are easy and delicious!
Easy and good!
Sometimes simple is best. This looks so delicious!
You always know it’s a hit when a picky eater likes it!! Looks fantastic!
Great, simple pasta dish! Glad the picky eater liked it! 🙂
i just love pasta… have to check it out
This looks so good.
Se ve muy rico me encanta este plato sencillo de pasta,saludos y abrazos
Hooray for feeding someone else’s picky child successfully! That is a great testimonial to this dish, and especially to you, Pam.
Looks like a great pasta salad. I love tomatoes in salads like this.
How sweet of you to cater to your daughter’s friend’s tastes! I’d love this…and would totally eat it as a main dish!
Dear Pam, It does feel good to prepare something that a “picky” eater will enjoy.
This dish sounds wonderful. Blessings dear. Catherine
I love every single ingredient of it!
A quick and delicious pasta meal!
I made this for lunch today with a few substitutions. I used seashell pasta, burned my pine nuts so used pecans, and didn’t have parmesan so I used feta. It was very good with those substitutions so I look forward to making it as you’ve written.
I really like your recipes. Thank you and keep cooking and posting.
Robin
Really good looking pasta dish. I really like the fresh vegetables added to it.
I so love the components of this plate.
The colours are stunning and the flavour combination, just divine!!
Hope you have a fantastic weekend dear,
Lia.
Very good recipe for busy people, but I would be added more spinach and garlic… I will try this recipe today.