Pasta W/ Spinach & Meatballs

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 20 meatballs
• 3/4 lb gemelli pasta
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 12 ounces mushrooms, quartered
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• red pepper flakes (optional or to your own taste)
• 1 -2 garlic clove
• 5 ounces baby spinach
• 1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese (2 ounces)
• salt and black pepper

Recipe

• 1 cook the meatballs according to the recipe directions.
• 2 meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions. reserve ¼ cup of the cooking water; drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
• 3 while the meatballs and pasta are cooking, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. add the mushrooms, thyme, red pepper flakes and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes. add garlic near end to avoid over cooking.
• 4 toss the mushroom mixture with the pasta, meatballs, spinach, pecorino, and the reserved cooking water. season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.