Imagine a pasta dish that's not just a meal, but a culinary adventure that transports you straight to the sun-drenched Mediterranean coastline! This vibrant and unexpected combination of spinach, garbanzo beans, and sweet raisins creates a symphony of flavors that will make your taste buds dance with excitement. Perfect for busy home cooks who crave something quick, nutritious, and absolutely delicious, this recipe proves that gourmet doesn't have to mean complicated.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 can garbanzo beans, drained
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown.
- Add drained garbanzo beans to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to heat through and lightly toast.
- Stir in the raisins and cook for an additional minute, allowing them to slightly plump and integrate with the beans.
- Add chopped spinach to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until the spinach wilts and becomes vibrant green.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water if needed to help bind the sauce.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with garbanzo beans, raisins, and spinach. Toss everything together gently to combine.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If the mixture seems dry, add a small amount of reserved pasta water.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with additional olive oil or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- For the best texture, cook your pasta just until al dente - it should have a slight bite to it.
- Don't rush the garlic sautéing step; 30-45 seconds is perfect to release its aromatic flavors without burning.
- Use fresh spinach for the brightest color and most vibrant taste.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining - it's liquid gold for creating a silky sauce that helps ingredients cling together.
- Feel free to customize: add red pepper flakes for heat or top with toasted pine nuts for extra crunch.
- This dish is best served immediately while the spinach is still bright and the pasta is hot.
- For a protein boost, consider adding grilled chicken or crumbled feta cheese on top.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 243kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
