Pasta with Creamy White Beans
- Level: Easy
- Yield: 6 servings
-
- Nutritional Analysis
- Per Serving
- Serving Size
- 1 of 6 servings
- Calories
- 616
- Total Fat
- 22
- Saturated Fat
- 9
- Carbohydrates
- 76
- Dietary Fiber
- 7
- Sugar
- 4
- Protein
- 28
- Cholesterol
- 30
- Sodium
- 663
- Total: 25 min
- Active: 25 min
Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for the pasta
1 pound shell pasta
1/4 cup olive oil
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 small red onion, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
One 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
8 ounces smoked provolone or smoked mozzarella, grated (about 2 cups)
One 5-ounce container baby spinach, chopped
Directions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season well with salt. Add the pasta and cook for 3 minutes less than indicated in the package directions, about 7 minutes. Drain well reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the oil, carrot and onion to the skillet. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until fragrant and beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Add the pepper flakes and thyme and cook another minute. Stir in the drained beans and chicken broth. Reduce the heat to medium to maintain a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use the back of a spoon to gently mash some of the beans. Set aside.
- Add the cooked pasta to the sauce. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the pasta and toss to coat well. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and add the 1/2 cup pasta water as needed to maintain a creamy, broth-like sauce. Sprinkle in the spinach and cook until wilted.