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This shockingly simple dish achieves success thanks to a small yet mighty powerhouse: Salty, umami-rich anchovies melt into the cooking oil, giving the dish subtle complexity and oomph. This pasta uses only a few ingredients and just one pot, and the method is smart and streamlined: As you boil your pasta, you set your spinach in a colander then drain the cooked pasta directly on top. You’ll dissolve the anchovies in olive oil in the empty pot, then return the cooked pasta and wilted spinach to the pot, along with cheese and red-pepper flakes, stirring to form a glossy sauce that is aided by the moisture released by the spinach. A great back-pocket recipe for nights when prep work seems impossible, this recipe is a satisfying meal all on its own, but feel free to stir in some white beans if you’d like to bulk it up.

Servings: 4

Servings: 4
Ingredients
  • Salt
  • 12 ounces short-shaped pasta, such as orecchiette or fusilli
  • 1 pound mature spinach, tough ends trimmed, or about 1¼ pounds (two 10-ounce bags) baby spinach
  • Olive oil
  • 4 to 6 oil-packed anchovies, depending on preference
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnishing, if desired
  • ¼ teaspoon red-pepper flakes
  • 1 lemon, halved
Steps
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and adjust the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Cook until just shy of al dente, about 1 minute less than the package instructions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water.
  2. Place the spinach in a large colander in the sink. Drain the pasta over the spinach. Drizzle with oil and stir to prevent the noodles from sticking.
  3. Wipe out the pot and place over medium-high heat. Carefully add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the anchovies (it might splatter) and stir until they start to dissolve, about 30 seconds.
  4. Pour the pasta and spinach into the pot, add the cheese and red-pepper flakes and stir until a glossy sauce forms and the spinach fully wilts, 1 to 2 minutes. If the pasta looks dry, add the reserved pasta water 1 or 2 tablespoons at a time. Use two forks to separate any spinach clumps, if needed.
  5. Squeeze a lemon half over everything. Taste and season as needed with more salt or lemon. Garnish with more cheese, if desired.
 

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