Description
Lemony Pasta with Goat Cheese and Spinach is a quick and vibrant dish combining al dente spaghettini with creamy goat cheese, fresh spinach, and bright herbs. Enhanced with toasted walnuts and a zesty lemon sauce, this recipe offers a tangy, creamy, and nutritious meal that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 0.75 pound spaghettini or spaghetti
- 4 ounces fresh goat cheese
- 10 ounces baby spinach (about 10 cups)
- 3 cups fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 cups fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest plus 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 0.5 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghettini according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 2 cups of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta well.
- Make the Sauce: Return the pot to medium heat and whisk together the fresh goat cheese and 1 cup of the reserved pasta water until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta back to the pot along with the baby spinach, chopped parsley, chopped cilantro, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Toss everything together, adding additional pasta water as needed to create a light and creamy sauce that evenly coats the pasta.
- Season and Serve: Season the pasta mixture with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Sprinkle the toasted chopped walnuts over the top and serve immediately.
Notes
- This recipe takes just 20 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- The lemon zest and juice provide a bright, tangy flavor that complements the creamy goat cheese beautifully.
- To toast the walnuts, simply heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor; parsley and cilantro add freshness and color.
- This dish can be easily customized by substituting walnuts with pine nuts or almonds if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
