Pasta W/ Spinach & Meatballs

Submitted by Chef #775207

"A quick weekday meal. You can easily sub a different type of pasta too. I used premade chicken meatballs for ease but the real homemade thing would just improve this recipe. This came from Real Simple but I did make some changes."

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 20 meatballs
• 3⁄4 lb gemelli pasta
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 12 ounces mushrooms, quartered
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• red pepper flakes (optional or to your own taste)
• 1 -2 garlic clove
• 5 ounces Baby Spinach
• 1⁄2 cup grated pecorino cheese (2 ounces)
• salt and black pepper

directions

1. Cook the meatballs according to the recipe directions.
2. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve ¼ cup of the cooking water; drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
3. While the meatballs and pasta are cooking, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, thyme, red pepper flakes and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic near end to avoid over cooking.
4. Toss the mushroom mixture with the pasta, meatballs, spinach, pecorino, and the reserved cooking water. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.