This pasta recipe has a unique flavor that comes from allowing the balsamic vinegar to reduce. This mellows and sweetens the flavors, and also thickens the vinegar which allows it to adhere nicely the penne. I added some leftover slices of grilled steak to the pasta make it a little more substantial, but it would also taste great on its own or with grilled chicken.
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Ingredients
- 3 red peppers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- 1 pound penne
- 1/4 pound butter, cut into pieces
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Chop the red pepper into 1 inch pieces. Place on a baking sheet and toss with olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, put the vinegar in a small saucepan. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until 3 tablespoons remain and vinegar has thickened.
- Stir in the brown sugar. Remove from the heat.
- Cook the penne in a large pot of boiling, salted water according to the directions on the box.
- In a small dry saucepan, toast the pine nuts over medium heat until they are just golden brown. Remove from heat.
- Drain the pasta and toss with the butter, vinegar, pepper, pine nuts, spinach, parmesan, and the remaining 1 teaspoons salt.
- Serve with additional parmesan.
Notes
Source: Adapted from Food and Wine
David Webber says
Looks like this and a couple of other pages are missing a bunch of their pictures, which is tragic because your photos are beautiful!
Julie says
Thank you for letting me know. My web guy (husband) is checking into it :0)