I have a tendency to go overboard.
And food blogging only exaggerates it.
For example. That one time. Did I really need to add the grated apple, caramelized onions, butternut squash sauce, and crumbled bacon to what started as a simple mac and cheese? Actually, yes. That was a bad example.
But my over-zealous inner food blogger loves adding extra, sometimes unnecessary, and dare I even say distracting? ingredients to recipes that should be left alone. Simple. Un-messed with. Like homemade brownie batter with a spoon and a glass of milk: basic and perfect.
In way too recent memory, Ginger Coconut Jalapeno Sweet Potato Cabbage Lentils almost became a real recipe name on this blog. Delicious and yet another example of overboard. Instead I named it Creamy Thai Sweet Potatoes and Lentils, because I have a bad habit of naming any recipe with curry paste and coconut milk in it “Thai”, and it’s totally yum. But it was almost annoying.
One thing I’ve really tried hard to do as a food blogger is KEEP THE FOOD SIMPLE.
As in buttered noodles simple.
Part of my Pinch of Yum “job”, whatever that means, is creating recipes that are fun and unique and different and inspiring to all you lovely friends who read my blog, and I truly LOVE FOOD, all the delicious food across the whole wide Earth, so experimenting with new ingredients is reallyreally fun for me.
At the same time, simple and familiar is really my favorite.
Basic dishes with fresh ingredients that people feel comfortable making? I feel so good when that is what comes across through this little internet space.
This spaghetti is that, in a nutshell.
How good does that smell?
It’s like this. –> Butter (I splurged on the expensive stuff, which still isn’t as good as my favorite Market Pantry butter at home, but it’s butter and it’s delicious) bubbling on the stove with a pile of minced garlic and chopped fresh greens. Soft, sticky, carby whole wheat noodles boiling extra long in the pot because al dente isn’t going to cut it for this one. My tiny apartment smelling heavenly. Sea salt sticking to my fingers. My plate heaping with noodles. More butter. More herbs. Searching the fridge for Parmesan cheese. My fork winding its way through a pile of noodles.
Basics like this are why I love food.
And I mean Love. Food.
- 1 lb. whole wheat spaghetti
- 6 tablespoons butter + more for serving
- 8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large bunch basil, chopped
- 1 large bunch baby spinach, chopped
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for topping
- Cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
- Meanwhile, heat the butter together in a large nonstick skillet over medium low heat. Add the minced garlic and saute for 3-5 minutes, until soft and fragrant. Be careful not to burn or over-brown the garlic because it will taste bitter. Low and slow is the winner here.
- Chop the spinach and basil (I had about 5 cups total – it reduces quite a bit as it wilts) into small bite-sized pieces and add to the skillet, stirring for just a minute or two to get the greens softened slightly. Season with salt.
- Add the spaghetti to the skillet (or vice versa depending on pan size) and season with salt and pepper. Toss well to combine and let it all rest for a few minutes to stick together a bit. Serve with an additional pat of butter and/or fresh grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Here’s the nutrition information for 6 servings (a huge heaping plate full, just how I like it) not including cheese.
Q: Do I recommend eating the leftover noodles straight out’the fridge after a long day at work?
A: Have you been spying on me?
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I don’t mind over the top, and I definitely don’t mind simple! This sounds amazing!!
I really really really want a huge plateful of this right this very minute.
No complaints for simple recipes here! Simple is our go-to on weeknights when we get home from work, but it’s easy to get stuck in a rut and have the same things over and over. So thank you for giving us a fresh, simple idea!
while I LOVE complex layers of flavor (which can be achieved with short ingredient lists!), I also love the simple… this to me is childhood, I loved spinach in my (Buttered) spaghetti, but notsomuch the sauce. I want this right now.
With the frigid temps here in KY, I was just day dreaming of walking out to my herb garden and plucking a handful of nature’s bounty to whip something up for dinner. But alas, I’m stuck with the dried variety ): Your “plain” noodles have my mouth watering – even at 9am!
Sometimes all I crave is buttered noodles… but all the extras you just mixed in here are pretty genius!
This looks like just about the most comforting dinner ever! Thanks for sharing.
Buttered noodles, definitely one of my go to favorites! And I totally had a mac and cheese incident the other night…three types of cheese, polish sausage, caramelized onions, garlic, mushrooms, steamed peas, chopped basil, topped with parmesan cheese and Sriracha hot sauce. It was all necessary.
Hahahaha! That’s me. Ov-er-board.
Sounds great though!
Ooooh la la! This simple dish just looks so delicious and FRESH! Gorgeous photos, as always!
Sometimes simple is totally the best way to go. Buttered noodles are one of my favorite quick meals to whip up. I love that you added garlic and greens to this though! It looks amazing and then I feel a little less bad about eating tons of noodles all week long
This looks delicious and simple to make. I am always looking for easy weeknight recipes and pasta is a sure bet!
Stop stop stop. Now I’m craving butter & garlic at 8:04 in the morning!
I love the idea of cooking garlic in butter. That sounds heavenly!
Sounds almost exactly like a family favorite except substitute broccoli for spinach and toss in a bit of crushed red pepper. Never thought to try it with spinach. That sounds really good!
overboard? Yeah that’s me too.
But I don’t mind something simple and easy every now and then and this is how I will take it. A big big big plate of this please. Especially after the long chilly hike I plan to take with our pup this weekend, I know I’ll want something like this to replenish and warm me up!
My favorite way to eat spaghetti! Butter and parma. That is all.
Looks so good! After seeing that picture of butter and garlic, I’m thinking simple sounds pretty good today.
I can’t see. I love this.
Please keep going overboard and creating such yummy recipes. I will keep coming back, drooling and cooking.
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haha glad to know that I’m not the only one that eats leftovers straight out of the fridge after work…. while I’m prepping dinner for the night.. because I’m starving and just can’t wait. I’m so impatient : )
I love the basics. I love pasta. and butter. and garlic. and cheese. This definitely is my kind of meal..and its quick! One of my favorite parts!
Hey there’s nothing wrong with going overboard! But I must say that I love the simplicity of this spaghetti too. Who wouldn’t love a plate of pasta drenched in butter and garlic, with some herby greens for punch?
Mmmmm buttery garlicky noodles…I’ve got my fork ready!
I love simple so no complaints here!
I’m kind of dying over all of that garlic and cheese omg
I don’t need over the top either! This looks perfect for a quick, weeknight meal!
Whenever I’m starting off a dish with cooking garlic my husband always yells out ‘ooh dinner smells good!’ There’s nothing better than garlic!
hahaha – same! He’s like, oooh, wow, what are you making over there?
You are funny (laughter IS the best medicine), and I thoroughly enjoy your blog. Yup, I do that fridge thing, too. And I could never have too much garlic, which is why I will make this recipe then dive into it….no nose plug necessary.
Yum! I’d add a little crushed re pepper too for some zip.
yummmmm.
Beautiful as always, Lindsay!
Overboard is good but I looooove simple. This looks so amazing!
I love garlic and this looks so yumm with garlic flavor
Fast and simple pasta recipes are always great. One thing I discovered a few years ago is that toasted bread crumbs, added right before serving, can totally transform a familiar pasta dish into something new. While it may make the dish a little less simple, it adds so much to the enjoyment…the trade-off is totally worth it.
Oooh yes. that sounds awesome.
My kids love, love pasta. This dish would be perfect for them. Blessings, Diane Roark I really do love your pictures. Your table is beautiful in these pictures. http://www.recipesforourdailybread.com
I tend to go overboard too… but I LOVE the simplicity of dishes like this one. NOTHING is better than pasta with lots of butter and garlic
I adore your blog. Even though I can’t eat pasta I couldn’t resist reading this one because I not only love your recipes but I also love your photos and your voice. You are an inspiration.
Thank you!
I love buttered noodles and I love garlic. . .I’ll take a heaping plateful please!
Yeah I have the same problem with adding ingredients into dishes. Love your mac & cheese example. Your honesty is awesome and so are these pasta pictures. Lots of herbs and lots of cheese and butter over whole wheat pasta – Yum! Comfort to the max. Even as I type this my brain speeds ahead but wouldn’t you want to add bacon or pancetta and some chopped green onion or parsley on top to brighten it? Yeah its a problem. Thankfully the only two things its affect is my gym membership since I have to work out now, and my grocery bill. Keep writing, even if you end up throwing the kitchen sink into a dish someday, I am positive you could make it look good. Kudos for another great blog post.
“But my over-zealous inner food blogger loves adding extra, sometimes unnecessary, and dare I even say distracting? ingredients to recipes that should be left alone.”
Story of my life! I was making dinner last night, and my husband comes over to me and looks in my bowl of shredded carrots, sliced leeks and red onions, halved cherry tomatoes, and black beans and goes, “Really?” I enjoy a mish-mosh, a bite with a lot going on…what can I say? I also needed to clean out my fridge. I feel like as bloggers, we overshop and overbuy, then worry about trying to make a new dish with each ingredient! Sometimes we just need a simple pasta dish – this looks absolutely lovely.
Isn’t that the truth?!
Love this … simple. tasty. perfect.
Had a good laugh at the 1 gram of fat per 1 T of butter per serving. Where do you find butter like that?
Anyways, this looks delicious and way healthier than my favorite Burnt Butter Pasta dish with Mizithra from Old Spaghetti Factory!
Wow. I didn’t even notice that. Sometimes the software that I use doesn’t read my ingredients correctly… so as much as I wish it were true I will go double check that again!
All fixed up! 13g sounds a little more realistic.
Hi Lindsay! Have been lurking for some time now but finally got off my lazy butt to actually comment! Oh my goodness, I am in love with this recipe! Garlic + butter + carbs + cheese = ?!?!?!?!?! So good there aren’t any words for it…yum!! Great post
Thanks for the comment Anjo! Glad you like this one!
In my opinion there is nothing better than butterd noodles and cheese. YUM. I love that you kept this simple and amazing.
Well, seems that somebody really enjoy your recipe http://larepisadesheep.blogspot.com/2013/02/receta-lectura-para-una-tarde-orgasmica.html
Msoo good!! Hubby loved it! And I really didn’t think he would! (he’s picky). I added left over mixed salad bag that had spinach and I also added chicken! Thanks!
Mm! Sounds great!
This was so yummy. I added some sautéed mushrooms and crushed red peppers for a little kick. Thank u for the recipe. Delightful !
going straight… YOU are a SPECIAL TALENTED person Thanks for your recipes and GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS
I didn’t think I liked basil all that much, but I’m hooked now! This was so yummy! It was easy and great! Thank you!
This was delicious and so simple! I think this would go well with some sautéed mushrooms!
Yum!
Your pics are fantastic! I would love to try this recipe.
From the midwest, moved to CA 30 years ago. Butter, garlic & noodles: my favorite go-to then. Now, skip the butter…olive oil! Much healthier & better taste. Use extra virgin. Also, a few capers or saute anchovies, mash, add & cut back on the cheese. Bread on the side or saute some croutons & toss with the pasta.
I’ve been looking for fun recipes to try during Lent (no meat on Friday allowed). Definitely trying this one tonight!
This was a very tasty recipe…WE ALL AGREED TO MAKE IT AGAIN!!!! I added shrimp to it …even better!!!
That sounds awesome!
We tried this for dinner last night and it was DELICIOUS! I did make a few small changes. One I used half olive oil half butter, (just because I love the combination), and I threw in some asparagus while cooking the garlic. This is definitely going to be one of my go to quick dinner recipes from now on.
I’m just curious, how can this recipe have only 1 gram of fat using 6 tablespoons of butter. Even with 6 servings thats 1 tablespoon per servicing, which is roughly 11 grams of fat.
I just made this in less than 15 minutes. Delicious. Such a simple and staple recipe to know. <3 I give this 5 stars (my laptop isn't allowing me to click the stars!)
Shoot! Thanks for the comment anyways!
I’m glad you liked it!
This looks AMAZING!!!
This is delicious! I’m eating it as I type. I added fresh, chopping mushrooms to the butter and garlic too. So yummy! (Not sure how you ever have leftovers!)
I made this on Friday night. My husband and I loved it so much, we’re making it again tonight. Thanks so much for the delicious recipe!
Glad you liked it Monica!
I made this tonight for dinner and it is AMAZING. My kitchen hasn’t smelled so good in weeks. Thanks for sharing.
hi, i was redirect to this page by another blogger and your photos make me really hungry. I wish i could taste them right away instead of waiting till i reach home to cook (sigh). They look really delicious.
This was excellent! Thank you
Glad you liked it Gena!
Butter (I splurged on the expensive stuff, which still isn’t as good as my favorite Market Pantry butter at home, but it’s butter and it’s delicious)
..Butter is so expensive here. I don’t know why. My husband said it’s cheaper in the US. And tastes better too. He also mentioned about the cheese. Cheese is exorbitantly priced here.
It’s a shame! It costs me almost 5 dollars for butter or cheese every time!