Would you look at that? I made Christmas-colored pasta, completely on accident. I’m on a perpetual roasted broccoli and red bell pepper kick, you see, and got a hankering for some hearty pasta.
Here, freshly roasted broccoli and bell pepper collide with lots of delicious sautéed spinach, my favorite whole wheat linguine and some balsamic vinegar. Toss all that together with some magical reserved pasta water for a light, silky sauce, and we end up with high-contrast Christmas pasta. I love it.
This spinach pasta recipe is highly adaptable. Feel free to change up the roasted vegetables—just use whatever you have around, cut to similar sizes and roasted until tender. Or, skip the roasted vegetables for a very simple but very flavorful and hearty spinach pasta.
The recipe is easily made vegan and/or gluten free, and the leftovers are great, whether served chilled, at room temperature or warmed again.
My one request is that you serve this pasta with a great green side salad. It can be super simple with just fresh greens, your favorite dressing and a couple of add-ins. Just don’t skip it!
DeLallo, the makers of my favorite 100% whole wheat pasta, offer a product called Salad Savors that combine a few complementary salad mix-ins in one easy-to-grab package.
My fridge is full of Salad Savors right now, so I have no excuse not to include a side salad with each meal. The more greens, the better, especially during the holidays!
I had a hard time choosing which Salad Savors to use with this pasta, but ended up grabbing my favorite (called Crisp), which includes sweet red dried apple, shredded sharp cheddar cheese and toasted almonds. I just tossed those ingredients with fresh arugula and a simple, homemade balsamic dressing. It was remarkably easy and delicious.
Please let me know how this recipe turns out for you in the comments. I’m always so eager for your feedback, and hope you love my recipes!
PrintSpinach Pasta with Roasted Broccoli & Bell Pepper
- Author:
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Entree
- Cuisine: Italian
This healthy vegetarian pasta features loads of spinach and roasted vegetables tossed with light balsamic sauce! Feel free to change up the vegetables or skip them completely for a simple, hearty spinach pasta recipe. Recipe is easily vegan and gluten free (see notes). Serve with a green side salad for a complete meal. Recipe yields 4 large or 6 more modest portions.
Ingredients
Roasted vegetables
- 1 large bunch of broccoli (about 1 ½ pounds), florets removed and sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into 1-inch squares
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt
Spinach pasta
- 8 ounces DeLallo Whole Wheat Linguine or spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 shallot bulb, sliced very thin (about ½ cup, sliced)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 12 ounces baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- Optional: 1 ounce finely grated Parmesan cheese* (about ¾ cup, grated), plus extra for garnishing
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- To prepare the roasted vegetables (optional, skip for a more simple spinach pasta): Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Transfer the sliced broccoli florets and bell pepper to the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and toss until the vegetables are lightly coated in oil (add a little more olive oil if necessary). Sprinkle with salt, arrange the vegetables in an even layer and bake until the broccoli is tender and caramelized on the edges, tossing halfway, about 25 minutes.
- Once the vegetables are in the oven, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta just until al dente, according to package directions. Before draining, carefully reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water. Drain and return the pasta to the pot.
- To prepare the balsamic spinach, in a large Dutch oven (my 5.5-quart Le Creuset is perfect here) or large sauté pan over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil until shimmering. Add the sliced shallot, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shallot is translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 20 seconds. While stirring constantly, add several big handfuls of spinach at a time until they have wilted, then repeat until all of the spinach is in the pot. Once the spinach has reduced a bit but is still bright green in parts (this happens quickly!), pour in the balsamic vinegar and remove the pot from heat.
- In your Dutch oven or in a large serving bowl, combine the roasted vegetables and cooked pasta with the spinach mixture. Add 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil and optional Parmesan. Drizzle in about ⅓ cup reserved pasta cooking water and gently toss to coat. Season to taste with additional salt (mine needed about ½ teaspoon more) and freshly ground black pepper. Divide into bowls and serve immediately, with extra grated Parmesan on top for bonus presentation points.
Notes
Change it up: Skip the roasted veggies for a simple weeknight pasta that’s full of greens, or change up the vegetables used.
Make it vegan/dairy free: Use olive oil instead of butter and omit the Parmesan. This pasta is great without the Parmesan, but you could add a light sprinkle of nutritional yeast for some cheesy flavor, if you’d like. Another option for extra savory flavor would be to add about ⅓ cup freshly toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds.
*A note on Parmesan: I always get a few comments on recipes that include Parmesan (“It’s not vegetarian!”) but Whole Foods actually makes a great animal rennet-free Parmesan. There’s plenty of flavor in here without the Parmesan, if you’d rather leave it out.
Make it gluten free: Choose a good gluten-free pasta (DeLallo makes one!).
▸ Nutrition Information
This post was created in partnership with DeLallo Foods and I received compensation for my participation. Opinions are my own, always. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who support C+K!
Manasa
This looks positively delicious! As for which SaladSavors flavor I’d love to try, the tangy beets look divine and would add a punch of beautiful color to the dish!
Sara
Healthy pasta? I’m in! When it comes to roasted broccoli, I could eat it every day of the week. As for SaladSavors, it’s surprisingly (and delightfully!) hard to choose. I’m down to between Zesty and Tangy, but if push came to shove, I’d probably go Tangy. Zesty I’m more apt to make at home, but beets I get out every chance I can because somehow my love for them doesn’t translate into my own kitchen!
Olga
Thick pasta noodles look very beautiful! As for SaladSavors, I would be happy with any that suits my vegan diet!
Mary
Sharp white cheddar! YUM!
Grace
The apple and cheddar looks awesome! I had never heard of these before, definitely looking for them at the store now!
Sarah
I’d love to try the asiago, artichoke, and sun dried tomato one!
Marysia
I will try the tangy beet salad savers. I hope I am able to find them. The recipe sounds great, but to be honest I am busy making your cranberry orange zest for Christmas gifts. The first batch disappeared!
Sam
All the SaladSavors look delicious! I’d like to try the Tangy Beets version.
Mary
I would try the Zesty Feta. It sounds delicious.
Maggie mckone
Looks delicious! Do you ever use a cast iron dutch oven?
Eartha
I love the combination of cheddar and apples
Amy
This pasta looks amazing!
Sherry
Thanks, Kate, for the introduction to Salad Savors! I’m always putting these kinds of combinations together for salads, but having them ready to go would obviously save a bunch of time. Honestly, they all look yummy to me, but I think I’m most attracted to the “Bold,” “Tangy,” and “Sharp” combinations …
Alison
I vote for Tangy Goat Cheese! Love the whole wheat pasta. Why does anyone buy the stripped down white version??!!
Gee
The salad savors idea is great! I’d choose the Crisp White Cheddar; I think my whole family would like this option.
Taylor
Wow! This looks great. And I’m intrigued by the salad topping with the apple chips!
Valentina
I would like to try the Bold Gorgonzola SaladSavors salad topping. It reminds me of a salad from an Italian restaurant.
Taylor
Wow! OK amazing recipe AND a giveaway?? Feels like my birthday lol. Good luck to everyone, and thank you to everyone involved for making a giveaway possible! Happy holidays, hope you and Cookie are staying warm and happy.
Kate
Thank you, Taylor! Happy holidays! :)
~Heather
Oooh, I love a tasty champagne vinagrette!
Katie
The pasta looks fabulous! I just made your lentil soup for dinner tonight, amazing! Can’t wait to make this pasta!
melissa
I would love to try any of the flavors never heard. delicious sounding.
Hanna
Oh, the Salad Savers I’d like to try are Sharp Asiago and Tangy Beets!
Hannah
I’m a vegan, so the SaladSavors don’t appeal to me, but the concept is a good idea!
Jodi
I love roasted broccoli and since I am on a goat cheese feta kick I would ask for feta and walnuts. Yummiliciousness.
Brittni F
So I have been trying to think of an easy and tasty dish to throw in as a meal during the holidays with family. I think I just found it! I had already decided to make your vegan lentil soup as well. Yum! I’m a sucker for blue cheese, so that would be my salad topper of choice. Thanks for the wonderful recipes and happy holidays!
roz b
I would try the ‘fresh’ flavor of SaladSavers with goat cheese. Yum!
Emily H.
I think the Crisp Salad Savers sound delicious! I love apples and cheddar cheese, and toasted almonds are a great addition to that combo! This recipe sounds delicious, can’t wait to try it!
julia
everything looks delicious. I pack salads for my boyfriend every day for lunch, and those salad savers will definitely be something I look out for.
julia
the feta would totally be up his alley!
Sarah
The pasta looks amazing! I would love to try the gorgonzola, dried pear, and toasted almonds flavor, as well as the tangy beet one :)
Anna
Delicious!
Amanda
Looks super yummy! Can’t wait to try the salad savers!
Sarah Gold
the asiago and sundried tomato sound delish!
Erin
Looks amazing! I would go for the Sharp Asiago, personally!
Tara
Another great looking recipe!
Preethi
This pasta looks colorful!
Dani
Fresh goat cheese sounds super yummy!!
Katy Dyer
Love that this dish is heavy on vegetables and uses whole grain pasta!
Shannon
This pasta looks great! I think I’ll try with Brussels.
Mina
I want to try them all! And I can’t wait to make this pasta!
Dorna Hoseiny
Love your blog and want to make all of the dishes. The ones that I have gotten the chance to make, have been delicious. Thank you.
Shamira Anastasia West
So, I have already made literally the first 2 pages of your salad section of the blog haha! I love all of your recipes and have been making them for the past 3 months! I am definitely putting this one on the list to make for sure! I would love to win the Le Creuset French Oven!
Naomi
I’d like to try them all, but especially the Fresh and Zesty combos!
Meredith Candela
Awesome giveaway!
Breana
I miss pasta! I need to eat it more and this recipe seems like a good place to start!
Abigail
Yum! Always love your recipes. I’d love to try the goat cheese salad savor!
Bec
Id love to try the sharp asaigo, artichoke, sundried tomato! I am definitely going to try this recipe as well!!
lauren
Crisp is totally up my taste buds alley!
Alexandra Robertson
I would love to try the zesty feta! This pasta looks amazing!
Rachel Park
This pasta sounds perfect for the cold weather! It has a lot of fresh vegetables too, which is perfect. I would love to try to the glazed pecan SaladSavors (or the marinated beet –it was such a close tie!).
Lisa
I would like to try the SaladSavors- Sharp Asiago!
Gaby
The garbonzo bean sundried tomato one sounds lovely
Angelyna
This looks delicious! Definitely trying this soon!
Noorie
I Love yoir blog! I’ve already made several of your recipes. My favorite is the asian noodle salad!
I’m not a big fan of whole wheat pasta but hoping this recipe will conver me!
Ginger Marie
I was just in this store yesterday! Their cookware is so perfect!
Emily
This pasta looks delicious; looking forward to trying it!
Lisa C
Great Recipe and blog!! Love the easy to follow recipes and easy weeknight meal ideas. Looking forward to trying the Tangy Salad Savers!
Allyson
Great giveaway and those flavor a all look good.
Ewa
Looks delicious!
I’ve never had any of these sauces, but they look interesting
Laura
Can’t wait to try this dish AND the feta SaladSavor!
Christina auldridge
The sharp Asiago Salad Savor sounds delicious, but honestly they all do!
Jerica Demetria Kelly
Omg! This looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try this pasta at home! I’m looking forward to trying the Sharp salad toppers!
Claire Tucker
I would try either the feta or the tangy beet flavor. Thanks!
Emma
I would try Fresh or Crisp!
Rachel
I would definitely try the feta…what could be betta?
kelsey
this looks soo good! I have never heard of these salad savors before but I’ll have to look for them. cheddar and apple sounds great!
Abigail Little
I will be pinning this for later!
Stephanie
I’m a suck for anything goat cheese (and cranberries, really!). I usually do almonds, but walnuts will be an excellent change!
India
The apple crisps ones – yum!
Adam Ducote
Loving the way a salad with goat cheese sounds right now. Happy Holidays!
Ashley
This recipe sounds delicious. As for the saladsavors, I’d love to try the zesty feta. Yum!
Susana
Great recipe. I love pasta!
Bridgid
Very versatile!
Karrie Millheim
I want to try the Pecan
Elise Gahan
Wow what a great giveaway!
Margaret
goat cheese!
Lauren Z.
What a lovely holiday dish and giveaway!
valerie sobus
such a beautifully colorful pasta dish and gorgeous photos! i’ve been kind of obsessed with this dried tomato / goat cheese ravioli at trader joes this month so the fresh goat cheese flavor is the one i’d like to try most :)
Christina
Mmm. Torn between Sharp and Crisp. I love artichoke-anything but the cheddar/apple combo is always a favorite. Good to know DeLallo makes a GF pasta too, cause that’s our road! Thanks!
Abi
I was visually drawn to this because of it’s freshness amidst all the heavy holiday foods!
rebecca M
Love this blog and have LOVED every recipe I’ve made so far. As for SaladSavors – never heard of them but now I want to try the Crisp flavor for this recipe!
Sadie W
I can’t believe I’ve never seen these before. The Cheddar and apples look delicious! I’ll be scouting my local market for sure.
Jillian
All your recipes always look so yummy! I can’t wait to try this one as well!
Rebecca
I really want to try the gorgonzola, dried pear, and toasted almonds! Never knew such a thing existed but I want to try saladsavors now :)
Sabra
Yum! The cheddar/apple one looks great!
Stephanie
Tangy is usually my direction, though Bold could easily sway me!
This looks great!
Jessica
The Crisp salad savor looks great! Never seen these before but would love to try them.
Michael
A wonderful pasta dish for my gluten free friend. I would top with the Feta cheese, lives and sweet pepper mix. Also pick my own spinach from my aquaponic garden.
Patrick
I love asiago cheese on salad so I would love to try that flavor!
Sarah
Sounds delicious – I’ll have to look for the Crisp flavor in my grocery store! Love the colors of the pasta.
Jennifer Long
I would like to try the cheddar and apple!!
Alicia
Thanks for the giveaway! I think I will definitely be trying one of those salad toppers for a quick dinner fix. Bold Gorgonzola looks like the winner!
Meg
Yum! The feta and olive look great!
Eileen
I found your blog this summer when I was looking for new recipes to try with the veggie bounty from CSA. Every recipe w/o fail has been great! Thank you for all of the wonderful recipes, not to mention the giveaway. I would be inclined to try the apple/cheddar
Layton
My Salad Savors choice would be Crisp White Cheddar. Can’t wait to make this recipe!!
Cyndi br
The feta cheese olives and peppers salad savors
Amy H
White cheddar with apple chips sounds amazing
Jeffrey
I’d like to try the Fresh Goat Cheese SaladSavor over a bed of spinach and arugula!
Holly
The Feta Calmata Olive sounds so yummy! Thanks for such a
wonderful give-a-way. I love all the colors they have for Le
Creuset. What a dilemma!
Krista
Mmm, Asiago for sure!
Greta Hunold
I love all of your recipes and this one will definitely go on my to do list! Yum.