Spanakopita Inspired Pasta – Whole Wheat Penne with Feta Cheese, Spinach, Basil and Mushrooms

 

 

This pasta was inspired by the Greek dish Spanakopita. Spanakopita is a phyllo dough pastry that has spinach and feta cheese in it. I love the flavors of this dish; it has herbs with a crunchy texture from the crisp phyllo. I didn’t have phyllo dough at my house and I wasn’t too keen on the idea of going to the store to get it and turning on the oven and waiting to bake, so I just took inspiration to create this dish.  I used healthy whole grain pasta and some of my favorite vegetables to get a flavorful and healthy meal from a classic idea. I also like to add the freshness of raw vegetables as a side to this pasta.

 

Whole Wheat Penne with Feta Cheese, Spinach, Basil and Mushrooms

 

6 basil leaves, chopped

2 cups frozen spinach

2 cups fresh kale, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

½  small onion, diced

1 stock celery minced

8 oz carton button or crimini mushrooms, wiped clean and quartered

5 florets cauliflower rough chopped to small pieces

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Pinch garlic powder

Salt

Pepper

1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced

Pinch red pepper flakes

¼- ½  cup feta cheese

Shaved pecorino for garnish

½ pound whole wheat pasta

 

In a large sauté pan, place 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in the bottom of the pan.  Heat till glistening, add the onions and cook about 3-4 minutes till soft.

Add dried parsley, pepper flakes, garlic, garlic powder, celery, cauliflower and mushrooms, then cook for about 2 minutes.

Add fresh kale and sauté for 5 minutes.

Add frozen spinach and cook for 6-7 minutes till heated through and kale is soft.

Cook pasta as directed and save about 1 cup pasta water.

Put the pasta into the vegetables and toss in desired amount of feta cheese.

Add black pepper and salt to taste.

If desired, finish with a little more extra virgin olive oil and top with pecorino cheese.

Serve aside chopped tomatoes, basil and cucumbers, seasoned with salt and pepper

 

 cheers

-Unrivaledkitch