Top 10 Spaghetti - with Spinach, Mozzarella and Cherry Tomatoes (vegetarian)

When I think about ingredients that are the most typical for Italian cuisine; spaghetti, mozzarella, tomatoes, olive oil, spinach and garlic would be very high on the list, probably in the top 10. This pasta dish uses all of the ingredients and – except for seasoning and water – only them. It is very easy and quick to prepare but the result is absolutely wonderful.

I used to cook it just for my husband and I when our daughters were small and it was quite normal for us to have different meals. But when the girls started to eat “normal” food and I cooked the same for all of us, I couldn't really make this pasta dish as they wouldn't eat tomatoes or spinach. Luckily now they know what is good (and healthy) for them and we all can enjoy this delicious pasta together.

INGREDIENTS (4 portions):

2 tbsp olive oil,

3 garlic cloves finely sliced,

500g cherry tomatoes, halved,

250g fresh spinach,

250g mozzarella cut into small cubes,

300-400g spaghetti,

Salt and pepper.

METHOD:

1. Heat the olive oil in a big frying pan, add the garlic and fry it for a few seconds (make sure not to burn it).
2. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook them on a medium heat for about 5 minutes.
3. In the meantime cook the spaghetti per the packet instructions. Before you drain the pasta, save a few tablespoons of the cooking water for later use.
4. Add the spinach to the tomatoes and cook till just wilted, adjust the seasoning (you may want to add 0.5 tsp sugar if the sauce is still too tangy).
5. Add the cooked pasta, mozzarella and - if the dish is too dry – a few tablespoons of the kept pasta cooking water, stir and quickly serve (if you wait too long, the mozzarella will melt and it will be difficult to serve).