Friday, February 18, 2011

Vegetable Pasta/Pasta Salad

I've been dairy free for over 4 months, and the thing that's the hardest about it is missing out on "creamy" dishes. While this pasta isn't the same as pasta with alfredo sauce...or mac 'n cheese...(yum) it does have a bit of a "creamy" factor. I ate it hot with dinner, then cold the next day for lunch...thus the reason for the double name ;)

1 to 1 1/2 dry pints cherry tomatoes, roasted
1 box rotini pasta (or whatever shape you want)
1 box frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
1/3c. kalamata olives, halved
1 bag baby spinach
1/2c. panko bread crumbs (I used Italian seasoned)
butter or olive oil
Zesty Italian Dressing
Salt/pepper
Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese

To roast the tomatoes, preheat oven to 400. Cut tomatoes in half, toss with a bit of olive oil and salt. Roast for about 15-20 minutes, until starting to turn golden on the edges.

Cook pasta in salted water, until firm (usually a minute or so less than the suggested time on the box). Drain, reserving about 1c of the pasta water.

In a large pan, heat the butter/olive oil over medium heat. Saute the artichoke hearts until they begin to caramelize slightly. Add the spinach and about 1/2 c. of the pasta water, cover and cook until the spinach is wilted. Stir in the tomatoes, olives, and bread crumbs, adding more cooking water if needed to get the consistency you want. Add a few tablespoons of dressing, and s/p to taste. Once everything is mixed and heated thru, stir in the pasta and serve hot or at room temp, topped with parm if you want!

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