Lemony Artichoke Pasta with Spinach

This refreshing pasta is a quick and easy way to bring a little vibrant goodness into your life. The tender pasta tossed with briny artichoke hearts, irony spinach, fresh lemon, and a simple sauce of garlic and olive oil creates a delightful entrée … — This refreshing pasta is a quick and easy way to bring a little vibrant goodness into your life. The tender pasta tossed with briny artichoke hearts, irony spinach, fresh lemon, and a simple sauce of garlic and olive oil creates a delightful entrée with layers of bright flavor. (Photo source: Jared Kent)

| Yield: 4 servings | Time: 25 minutes |

Ingredients

8 ounces dry penne pasta (or other short pasta noodle)

¼ cup olive oil

6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

2 cups artichoke hearts in brine or marinade

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, or add more if you like)

¼ cup dry white wine (or 1 tablespoon white wine or apple cider vinegar)

4 cups loosely packed spinach leaves

2 lemons, zested and sliced in half

1 bunch fresh basil, cut into ribbons (optional)

2 ounces parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast flakes

salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta to al dente according to the instructions on the packaging.

Before draining, reserve one ladle full of the pasta cooking water. Once cooked, drain the pasta, toss with a little olive oil so it doesn’t stick, and set aside.

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, add the garlic, artichoke hearts, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, just until the garlic becomes fragrant.

Turn up the heat to high and add the white wine and spinach. Cook for 2-3 more minutes, stirring occasionally, or until most of the wine cooks off and the spinach is wilted.

Add the cooked pasta to the pan along with the cooking water and lemon zest, cook for 1 minute to allow the pasta to heat up.

Turn off the heat and add the basil and parmesan. Stir everything to combine and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with the lemon halves.

Zero-waste tips

• Save the squeezed lemon halves to freshen up the garbage disposal, clean your microwave, or turn into a homemade cleaner..