Fettuccine with Tomatoes, Spinach, & Fresh Burrata

 FETTUCCINE WITH TOMATOES, SPINACH, 
& FRESH BURRATA

Printable Recipe

• 8 oz uncooked fettuccine or zucchini noodles
• 1/3 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes 
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 
• 1 (14.5 oz) can unsalted diced tomatoes, undrained 
• 3/4 teaspoon salt 
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 4 oz fresh burrata or mozzarella cheese
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

 1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt, drain. Or if you are using zucchini noodles just spiralize them & have them ready.

2. While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with a little olive oil. Cut tomatoes in half, arrange them cut side down in skillet. Cook 1-2 minutes or until seared. Stir tomatoes, cook for 30 seconds.

 3. Remove tomatoes from pan, set aside.

 4. Reduce heat to low.  Add olive oil to skillet & swirl to coat. Thinly slice garlic cloves then add red pepper flakes & garlic to skillet, cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant, stir occasionally.

5. Place canned tomatoes in a mini chopper or food processor, process until smooth. Add pureed tomatoes & salt to skillet. Cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Remove skillet from heat. Add cooked pasta, or zucchini noodles, & spinach, toss well until spinach is slightly wilting. 

 7. Arrange pasta mixture into 4 bowls. Top each dish with seated tomatoes & 1-2 dollop of burrata cheese. Sprinkle each with fresh ground pepper. 

Plate Finished Product  

STORY BEHIND THE DISH

Another Meatless Mondays perfection! I love pasta and there is nothing better than a warm & fresh pasta dish. Recently I ordered Cooking Light magazine through my school fundraiser, last week I received the March 2013 issue and this was the dish on the cover. I lasted all of 3 days until I decided I must try this out, it was a simple, clean, delicious recipe that I wanted to share.

MODIFICATIONS/Whole30

To make this dish whole30 or paleo approved use zucchini noodles or cooked spaghetti squash also remove the cheese. You can add many things to this dish, I made it as close to the recipe as possible. I did use cherry tomatoes in place of grape tomatoes, & like I stated above if you cannot find or do not have burrata cheese you can use fresh mozzarella cheese, or simply to with grated Parmesan. You can add sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, grilled chicken, zucchini, Italian squash, etc. Be creative :)