Spinach & Mushroom Pasta

I knew I was going to have swordfish tonight because that's what was in the fridge. But I had to think about what to put with it. So, I found a big bunch of spinach in the fridge along with some mushrooms and decided to make a spinach and mushroom pasta with white sauce (milk).

Prep time: 15-20 mins.
Cook time: 15-20 mins (depending on heat).

What I used:

* About 450g of Rigatoni pasta

* 1 desert spoon of olive oil (for frying)

* 1 glove of elephant garlic, minced  (or 3-4 cloves regular garlic, depending on how much you like garlic)

* 1 tbsp of freshly picked lemon thyme

* 1 tbsp of freshly picked rosemary

* 4 cups of button mushrooms, sliced (can use any you like)

* 2 desert spoons of all-purpose flour

* 2 cups milk

* 1 bunch of spinach, washed and ripped roughly

* 1 tsp salt

* Fresh ground pepper
* Freshly grated parmesan cheese (this ingredient is most important)

Photo: Spinach and mushroom pasta. 

Methodology:

1. In a large pot heat the oil on medium-high heat, add garlic, onion, thyme and rosemary and cook for about two minutes.

2. Add mushrooms, cook for about 10 minutes, constantly stirring, mushrooms with begin to release their juices, soften down and go brown. 

3. Mix the flour through, then begin to add the milk slowly, constantly stirring. Turn the heat up to max once all the milk is in the pot, keep stirring. The milk will start to boil, keep stirring until the sauce thickens. 

4. Once the sauce is thick enough turn the heat to low, adding the spinach, salt and pepper and cooking on low heat till the spinach has softened. Once the spinach has softened take it off the heat.

5. Cook the Rigatoni pasta in a separate pot and toss it in with the sauce, stirring  until well combined. Grate fresh parmesan cheese over pasta when served.


I had this pasta with a swordfish steak. The pasta was an amazing side and complemented the fish wonderfully. I pan fried the swordfish on medium-high heat in olive oil for 4 minutes on either side. Here is a photo of the dish (without parmesan):

Photo: Swordfish steak with a side of spinach and mushroom pasta.