This recipe is super quick and easy -- you can make it all in the time it takes to cook the pasta. It’s also loaded with incredible nutrition. Did you know that artichokes have been found to contain more antioxidants than any other vegetable, while berries, including dried cranberries, are antioxidant superstars in the fruit world? As for spinach, Cornell University put it at the top of the list as the vegetable we should eat more often. Replacing meat with meatless alternatives, like pine nuts, is definitely a healthy move for our hearts. And last, but certainly not least, this recipe is simply delicious – great for any day of the week, and sure to be a hit the next time you have company over too.
Ingredients
- 1 box (375 g) whole grain rotini, such as Catelli Healthy Harvest Whole Wheat Rotini
- 3 tbsp (45 mL) extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1/4 cup (60 mL) pine nuts
- 1 can (170 mL/6 oz fl) marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 2/3 cup (227g/160 mL) dried cranberries
- 1 bag (227g/8 oz) baby spinach
- 1/2 tsp (2 mL) crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground black pepper
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Steps
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Cook pasta in boiling water according to package directions.
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Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil, diced onion and pine nuts and sauté for about three to five minutes or until the onion is cooked.
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Add the chopped artichoke hearts, dried cranberries, spinach, red pepper flakes and pepper. Sauté for another two to three minutes or until the spinach just starts to wilt.
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Add the garlic and sauté the entire mixture for about one more minute.
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When the pasta is ready, drain and toss with the skillet ingredients.
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Serve sprinkled with freshly grated, Parmesan cheese. Garnish with slices of fresh lemon.
Makes 6 servings (each serving is about 1-3/4 cups).
Nutritional Analysis (per serving):
418 calories
12 grams fat
2 grams saturated fat
0 grams trans fat
65 grams carbohydrate
11 grams fibre
13 grams sugars
258 milligrams sodium
14 grams protein
If you're looking for more whole grain recipe ideas, please visit www.wholegrainpasta.ca
