Penne with Pecorino Romano & Black Pepper
When I was a newlywed, I had a phase where I loved to watch The Food Network. One of my favorite shows to watch was Giada at Home. I made a lot of Giada De Laurentiis' recipes and this is one that my husband and I both really enjoy. Rating: 10/10
Ingredients:
1 pound penne pasta
1/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, lightly crushed
4 cups spinach leaves, torn
1 1/2 cups grated pecorino romano cheese
1 cup mascarpone cheese (8 ounces), at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons of salt
1 teaspoon of pepper, split
Directions:
1) Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but still firm to the bite (8-10 minutes). Reserve 3/4 cup of the cooking liquid, then drain the pasta.
2) Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until lightly browned (about 2 minutes). Remove the garlic and discard. Add the spinach and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and cook until the spinach has wilted (about 1 minute).
3) Remove the skillet from the heat and add the pasta. Add the Pecorino Romano cheese, salt and remaining 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Toss until coated.
4) In a medium bowl, whisk together the reserved cooking liquid and the mascarpone cheese until smooth. Pour over the pasta and toss until coated. Season with salt/pepper if needed.
5) Transfer the pasta to a large bowl and serve.
