Garlicky Spinach Pasta with Buttered Almonds
Another simple and scrumptious pasta that we fell in love with. When in doubt, I go pasta searching. And usually a simple and comforting recipe like Garlicky Spinach Pasta with Buttered Almonds never lets me down. I found some really good and fresh spinach in the market last week and this is what I made with it.
My Garlicky Spinach Pasta Story
I am always excited when I find something fresh in the markets. Probably why I still need to brave them just once a week though the pandemic. These days however, any little thing that is good quality or a find is exciting. Again, goes back to how much one learns to take for granted. So bottom line, when I found this gorgeous spinach, I needed to celebrate. I needed to do something that enhanced its fresh and beautiful softness. And that is how this pasta emerged.
Instead of spinach, you can use fresh kale. As for the almonds, that toasting in some butter transforms them into something magical. Fridays and round out meals are all about pasta in my house. My children never say no to pasta. They love to enjoy their pasta meals side by side. They make the best TV dinners. The young ones do not have the time that they used to for some of their together activities. The pandemic lock down has helped with more family time.
A Simple and Essential Recipe
- This is done in the instant pot/electric pressure cooker
- Done with a handful of ingredients and is cooked in a 20 minutes.
- Is a one pot meal
- Does not disappoint.
- And if you want you can just enjoy the garlicky spinach with the pasta. It is just as seriously good.
This one has just seven ingredients – olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, fresh basil, butter, almonds and spinach. And nine ingredients if you want to throw the salt and freshly ground black pepper. Speaking of fresh, I have a whole bunch of little things sprouting and growing despite this very cold spring.
Other simple instant pot pasta recipes on this site include my Creamy one pot pasta with broccoli and Chickpea Pasta with Caramelized Onions.
If you like this recipe and want more ideas, do join my Indian Instant Pot Facebook group . Of course Instant Indian is a great idea to pick up,right with its siblings The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles and Spices and Seasons.
Do not forget to get social with me, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and even Youtube.
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Garlicky Spinach Pasta with Buttered Almonds
A gorgeous gently flavored pasta made in a one pot sauce, done easily in the instant pot.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 cup sliced or crushed almonds
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
- 1 pound fresh spinach leaves (preferably not baby spinach)
- 2 cups of grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh or 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 8 oz dried pasta (I used thin spaghetti)
- 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to finish
Instructions
- Turn the instant pot/electric pressure cooker to saute mode. Melt the butter and let it heat for a minute. Add in the almonds and cook for 2 minutes until the almonds turn golden.
- Remove with a slotted spoon. Add in a tablespoon of the olive oil and half the garlic and let the garlic turn aromatic.
- Add in the spinach leaves and cook lightly until just wilted. Remove the spinach leaves.
- Add in the remaining oil and the garlic and stir well. Add in 2 cups water. Turn off the instant pot and thoroughly de-glaze the bottom of the pot. Add in the basil.
- Add in the tomatoes and the pasta. Stir in the salt. Set to cook for 2 minutes of high pressure. Do a steam release after 3 minutes. Stir the pasta well to break any lumps and mix into the tomatoes. The sauce will gently thicken as it rests.
- Gently stir in the spinach and add lots of freshly ground black pepper.
- Place in four serving bowls. Top each bowl with a quarter of the almonds. Serve with optional grated cheese if desired.
