For This Greek Classic, Key Is In The Greens
By Ali Slagle
New York Times
This baked pasta is inspired by spanakopita, the classic Greek spinach and feta pie. This loose interpretation combines pasta with gooey mozzarella, briny feta, plenty of greens and a rich cream sauce, which is then piled into a dish and baked until golden. The key to this dish is in the greens: Use at least three kinds — a mellow one, a peppery one and a fresh herb or two — to create an exciting mix of flavors. No need to sauté them; just salt and massage them until they wilt slightly. This cozy dish might be the best way to eat your greens all year long.
Baked Spanakopita Pasta With Greens and Feta
Ingredients:
• Salt and black pepper
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• 4 cups chopped spinach, Swiss chard or other mild greens (tough stems removed)
• 4 cups chopped arugula, watercress or other peppery greens
• 1 cup chopped fresh dill or parsley leaves and tender stems, or a combination
• 6 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced, whites and dark green parts separated
• 1 pound tubular or curvy pasta, like rigatoni or fusilli
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
• 8 ounces cream cheese (1 cup), cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 4 ounces mozzarella, grated (1 cup)
• 4 ounces crumbled feta (1 cup)
Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat the oven to 450 degrees.
In a 3-quart/9-by-13-inch baking dish, toss the chopped spinach, arugula, herbs and scallion greens with 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Squeeze the mixture with your hands to wilt, then set aside.
Cook the pasta in the boiling water until 2 minutes shy of al dente; reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside. Return the pot to the stove.
Melt the butter in the pot over medium heat. Add the scallion whites, garlic and a pinch of salt, and cook until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the cream cheese and pasta water and stir until smooth. Stir in the wilted greens, half the mozzarella and half the feta until combined. Stir in the pasta until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Transfer the pasta to the baking dish, then top with remaining mozzarella and feta. Bake until the sauce has thickened and turned bubbly, and the top has browned in spots, 10 to 15 minutes. If you like a crisper top, broil for a few minutes.
Total time: 40 minutes, serves 4.
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