Meghan Markle’s Royal Mediterranean Pasta
This light, flavorful pasta brings together cherry tomatoes, garlic, spinach, and whole-grain spaghetti — inspired by Meghan Markle’s love for clean, nourishing food. With a lemon-zest finish and just the right hit of Parmesan, it’s a meal that feels luxurious without being heavy. Vegan and gluten-free adaptable.
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Servings: 4
Calories: 430kcal
Cost: 12
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 12-inch skillet or sauté pan
- Colander
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Citrus zester (optional)
Ingredients
- 12 oz whole-grain spaghetti
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp olive oil cold-pressed preferred
- 2 cups baby spinach
- ½ cup fresh basil chopped
- ½ cup grated Parmesan or more, to taste
- 1 tsp salt for pasta water + ½ tsp for tomatoes
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tsp lemon zest optional
Instructions
- Boil the pasta:
- Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente (about 8–10 minutes). Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta water. Drain the rest and set pasta aside.
- Sauté aromatics:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook tomatoes:
- Add halved cherry tomatoes and ½ tsp salt. Sauté 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes soften and begin to burst.
- Combine and coat:
- Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet along with reserved pasta water. Toss to coat and help form a silky sauce.
- Add greens:
- Mix in spinach and let it wilt (1–2 minutes). Turn off heat.
- Finish and serve:
- Stir in fresh basil, Parmesan, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and lemon zest. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve warm.
Notes
Gluten-free? Use brown rice or chickpea pasta.
Vegan version: Omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast or cashew parmesan.
More protein: Add a cup of white beans or shredded rotisserie chicken.
Meal-prep tip: Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a splash of water when reheating.
Flavor boost: Add 1 tsp honey while cooking tomatoes for natural sweetness.
Nutrition
Calories: 430kcal
