Like so many other people, I’m always on the lookout for easy, fool-proof entertaining recipes this time of year. With all of the hustle and bustle surrounding the holidays, it seems like no matter how much I plan I still always find myself scrambling to pull things together at the last second!
This pasta with spinach, chili pepper, and toasted walnuts might just be the solution. It may seem (and taste!) fancy, but it doesn’t take any longer to make than plain old pasta with a jar of sauce. While the pasta cooks, you whip up a simple sauce with plain yogurt, spinach, and basil and toast some walnuts in chili oil. Once the pasta is done, just mix it all together and top it with some briny feta cheese. The flavors are really complex – it’s the kind of dish that tastes better and better the more you eat!
Your guests will never know that it took you less than 20 minutes to make and, since it doesn’t need to be served piping hot, it works equally as well for a sit-down and buffet style parties.
This week, #SundaySupper is being sponsored by one of my favorite products: Gourmet Garden! I’ve been using these herb pastes for years and they’re great – especially this time of year, when fresh herbs are hard to find (and crazy expensive.)
You use them just like you would use the fresh stuff (swap them for fresh herbs in at a one-to-one ratio), but they last a really long time in the refrigerator so you don’t need to stress our about having to buy a whole bunch of something when the recipe only calls for a little bit.
Before I discovered these, I think I spent like $10 a week on fresh herbs… and every week I’d end up throwing out at least half of them because I didn’t use them quickly enough. It was terrible! Now I always have a few tubes on hand and I’m ready to tackle whatever recipe idea comes to me.
For this recipe, I used three varieties: chunky garlic, chili pepper, and basil. The chunky garlic is one of my absolute favorites because it saves me the hassle of having to peel and mince the garlic myself, but it still tastes really fresh (unlike other pre-minced garlic that can taste a little funky after a while.) I also really love the ginger and lemongrass for the same reason… they make prepping a recipe so easy!
You can find them right by the fresh herbs in the produce section of the grocery store, and I highly recommend that you seek them out. You can also follow them on social media, where they’re always sharing fun ideas. They’re on facebook, twitter, pinterest, and instagram.
Cookin Canuck says
08/20 at 12:58 pmThis is something my family would gobble up in a flash! The Gourmet Garden products really are great to have around for quick meals.
Colleen says
01/12 at 9:02 pmLooks delicious, can’t wait to try it! Any idea what the nutrition info maybe on this recipe?
Thanks!
Lauren Keating says
01/12 at 10:27 pmHi Colleen! It might vary a little bit based on what brands of pasta and yogurt you use, but I calculated it at 362 calories, 21.6 grams fat, 34.5 grams carbs, 4.6 grams fiber, and 13.6 grams of protein. (You can lower the calorie and fat amounts slightly by using fat free yogurt, but I really prefer the taste with low fat.)
If you want a more specific calculation based on the products you use, I really like this calculator: http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
12/12 at 4:57 pmI’m thankful for any recipe I can make in 20 minutes or less, especially this time of year. My dinner making has been seriously lacking. I blame it on all the cookie baking.
littleredkitchen says
12/10 at 5:40 pmOkay, now I really am chuckling because I hadn’t read your post before I made dinner last night with essentially the same ingredients as you! Great minds think alike! p.s. I totally added walnuts to my pasta too. 🙂
Lauren Keating says
12/10 at 7:48 pmwith the walnuts, too?! TOO FUNNY! I love it. <3
Lori | Foxes Love Lemons says
12/09 at 4:41 pmCan you believe how much money we are all going to save now that we’re Gourmet Garden converts? We should all save our money and take a trip 🙂
kimchi_mom says
12/09 at 12:34 pmI love the combo of yogurt and feta! Sounds and looks great!
supperforasteal says
12/09 at 12:08 pmChange in lunch plans, I want this! And I have everything too… off to the kitchen
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
12/09 at 11:53 amThis sauce is fantastic! Perfect for a veggie pasta meal when we’re not feeling tomatoes.
Tina Muir says
12/08 at 6:23 pmMmmmm that looks delicious! I have always wanted to try those gourmet garden flavors, and your recipe really shows them up well 🙂 Of course pasta is also great for my training, I get bored of the same old pasta sauces, this would make a lovely change! Thanks!
Alice Choi says
12/08 at 2:53 pmI feel the same way with fresh herbs. . spending so much money to get organic herbs and not using them fast enough. . love this pasta!! yum!
Cindys Recipes says
12/08 at 1:51 pmI love spinach pesto the feta sounds extra good in here.
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
12/08 at 12:07 pmI am adding this to my menu. I wish it weren’t so snowy outside. I’d run to the store right now!
Tara says
12/08 at 11:58 amLove all the ingredients in your pasta, it looks superb!! I love also how fast it is to put together, great recipe!!
Constance says
12/08 at 11:58 amI think EVERY party needs to have some sort of pasta dish. It should be a rule. I love the gorgeous color here, and it looks SO creamy. YUM!
Rosey Rebecca says
12/08 at 11:45 amThis looks incredible! And those tubes of herb pastes are genius!
Heather @girlichef.com says
12/08 at 10:51 amGorgeous dish, Lauren! I’m the same way with herbs (best intentions), so these really are a life saver.
Joanne (eats well with others) says
12/08 at 10:20 amI love the idea of using yogurt as a creamy without cream kinda sauce! What a fabulous dish!
Jennifer Drummond says
12/08 at 8:56 amYUM!!! This is one of my favorite kind of meals. Yours look just amazing!!
Liz says
12/08 at 8:56 amThis is exactly the flavor palate I love with pasta…and so easy using Gourmet Garden herbs! A must try!!!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
12/08 at 8:24 amLove that this recipe is vegetarian and quick…and has feta. Definitely going to be trying this soon.
Family Foodie says
12/08 at 7:59 amWhat a great idea for the holidays and made in 20 minutes or less… even better!
Renee Dobbs says
12/08 at 5:55 amI’m thinking this just very well be my Sunday Supper tonight. All I have to do is pick up spinach at the store and I’m all ready to make it.