Orecchiette with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese
Elevate your weeknight dinner with this vibrant and creamy Orecchiette with Mixed Greens and Goat Cheese recipe! Featuring tender orecchiette pasta tossed with nutrient-rich kale and spinach, this dish is brought to life with the zesty brightness of lemon and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes. A generous crumble of tangy goat cheese melts into a luscious sauce, perfectly coating every bite. This 30-minute meal is both satisfying and elegant, ideal for a quick family dinner or an impressive dinner party main. With its irresistible combination of fresh, wholesome greens and velvety cheese, it’s a Mediterranean-inspired comfort food you’ll want to make on repeat!
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Ingredients
- 12 ounces Orecchiette pasta
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 teaspoons Red pepper flakes
- 4 cups Kale, chopped
- 4 cups Spinach
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
- 4 ounces Goat cheese, crumbled
- 0.5 cups Pasta water
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoons Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orecchiette pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 3
Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet, stirring frequently, until fragrant (about 1 minute).
Step 4
Add the chopped kale to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to wilt.
Step 5
Add the spinach to the skillet and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, until all the greens are wilted and tender.
Step 6
Stir in the lemon zest and fresh lemon juice, mixing well with the greens.
Step 7
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the greens. Toss everything together to combine.
Step 8
Crumble the goat cheese over the pasta and stir gently to create a creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time, if needed, to help the cheese melt and coat the pasta evenly.
Step 9
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and toss to combine.
Step 10
Serve hot, garnished with additional goat cheese or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1097.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2127.0 |
| Total Fat 76.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 23.4g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g | |
| Cholesterol 60.7mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3178.1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 289.6g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 15.7g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 9.9g | |
| Protein 81.2g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1007.8mg | 0% |
| Iron 18.9mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2848.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories