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    Home » Vegetarian Pasta Recipes

    Orecchiette with Spinach and Butter Beans

    Lindsay Moe

    768 shares
    Orecchiette with Spinach and Butter Beans - A fast and easy vegetarian dinner idea that's perfect for weeknights! #easydinner #dinnerideas #vegetarian #vegetariandinnerideas #pasta

    Orecchiette with Spinach and Butter Beans is an easy weeknight dinner that is full of protein, veggies, and delicious pasta!

    top view full bowl of orecchiette with spinach and butter beans with striped dish towel
    Jump to Recipe

    Are you thinking about back to school yet?

    As a homeschooling family there’s always a lot to prepare and decide by the end of the summer. I’ve been trying to wrap my head around it all in the last week and I’m sure it will take me a few more weeks until I feel ready.

    half bowl close up image of orecchiette with spinach and butter beans with silver fork to the side

    We usually start school by the last week of August or so because we like to ease into it, take things slow, and be done by the middle of May. There’s also sports and other activities to think about and register for.

    I’m not overwhelmed, you’re overwhelmed. (I’m overwhelmed.)

    So maybe I need easy weeknight dinners less during those busy school days and more during these busy planning days. I’m excited to share with you today one of the easiest dinner ideas that’s honestly perfect for any time of year!

    wooden bowl with orecchiette with spinach and butter beans

    Are you familiar with orecchiette? Legend has it that it gets it’s name by being shaped like a little ear. I like to think of it as the tiniest delicate cup, but you can use your imagination to make it whatever you want.

    I had to buy a fancier type of pasta (ahem, more expensive) than I usually buy in order to find orecchiette, but it’s really worth it because there are so few ingredients in this dish and high quality pasta really makes it.

    The orecchiette nestles these baby butter beans so perfectly and the spinach curls around it. Remember my obsession with canned butter beans? The saga continues.

    top view image of wooden bowl with a few pieces of orecchiette with spinach and butter beans with a silver fork and a full white bowl to the side with  orecchiette with spinach and butter beans

    Butter beans are just so creamy and flavorful. I like adding a bit of Parmesan cheese (you can usually find a vegetarian version, I like BelGioioso) and a sprinkle or two of nutmeg, which brings out the flavor of the spinach.

    Let’s talk about panfried pasta for a second. Reserve about half a cup of the water you cooked the pasta in, which is full of starches and will help everything come together.

    The starches caramelize and crisp on the edges of the pasta into the most delicious taste and texture. I also love how the beans get a little crispy!

    close up of half full bowl of orecchiette with spinach and butter beans

    Tips for customizing orecchiette with spinach and butter beans:

    • Swap the baby butter beans for large butter beans or another white bean such as great northern or cannellini
    • Double the spinach for extra leafy greens
    • Swap the spinach for another leafy green such as kale, arugula, or or chard
    • Use small or medium shell pasta in place of the orecchiette
    • Use leftover spinach and white beans in place of everything but the orecchiette, adding olive oil as needed
    two wooden bowls with orecchiette with spinach and butter beans

    More butter bean recipes

    • Easy Canned Butter Beans
    • Butter Bean Soup
    • Chipotle Veggie Quesadillas
    • Greek Pizza

    More pasta recipes

    • Eggplant Meatballs
    • Olive Oil Alfredo Sauce
    • Spaghetti Aglio Olio
    • Penne al Pomodoro
    • Spaghetti Arrabbiata

    If you make this recipe be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

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    top view full bowl of orecchiette with spinach and butter beans with striped dish towel

    Orecchiette with Spinach and Butter Beans

    Al dente pasta with creamy butter beans and fresh cooked spinach makes an easy weeknight meal.
    4.43 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 484kcal
    Author: Lindsay Moe

    Ingredients

    • 5 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 16 ounces canned baby butter beans, rinsed and drained
    • 2 cups fresh baby spinach
    • 16 ounces orecchiette
    • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
    • ½ cup reserved pasta water
    • ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg
    • Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook orecchiette according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water at the end of cooking. Drain the pasta and set aside.
    • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to turn golden, about 1 minute.
    • Add the butter beans and spinach and continue to cook, stirring, until the spinach is wilted, about 1 more minute.
    • Add the cooked pasta to the pan along with ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water and cook, stirring, for two minutes.
    • Add the parmesan to the pan. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste, and allow to cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is crispy and browned on the edges, about 8 minutes more.
    • Serve with an extra sprinkling of crushed red pepper flakes and nutmeg if desired. This is delicious served warm or at room temperature.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 484kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 395mg | Potassium: 401mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1035IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 2.8mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theliveinkitchen or tag #theliveinkitchen!

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    1. Marguerita Gillespie says

      November 01, 2018 at 5:55 am

      when do you add the parmesan?

      Reply
      • Lindsay Moe says

        November 01, 2018 at 10:36 am

        Thank you so much for catching my mistake! You would add the parmesan with the salt, pepper, and nutmeg. I have updated the recipe to show this and you can also see it in the recipe video. Enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Caryn Lipkowitz says

      December 15, 2020 at 5:14 pm

      5 stars
      I loved the recipe. It’s so easy, quick and inexpensive! A filling meal that packs just the right amount of spice too. I used large butter beans and medium shells. I also added roasted portabello mushrooms. I’ll definitely make this again!

      Reply

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    lindsay moe in a kitchen with glasses on shelves behind her

    Hi, I'm Lindsay! I've been creating easily customizable vegetarian recipes since 2011. I love the outdoors, brownies, and brand new books. I live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin and founded Wild Flour Media to expand on my love for food photography and videography to my community and beyond.

    More about me →

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    768 shares