Ciao Belli! This Italian Spinach recipe is a simple yet delicious staple, from Nonna’s kitchen to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Versatile as a side for any meal, I’ve included 3 bonus serving ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plus, you’ll find some Chef/Nonna tips to bump up the flavour and save you time.
I hope you enjoy making and eating this. Let me know what you think!
Growing up, this was Mamma’s go-to spinach dish, cooked straight from Pappa’s garden. The trick? Verdura Ripassata – a quick boil to tenderize, then a flavorful sauté in olive oil. In Italy, they love their greens cooked, not crunchy or al dente, and this method really brings out the best taste while eliminating any bitterness.
I had a lovely version in Italy at a steakhouse in the Marche region, and spotted a similar recipe in London’s Michelin Star River Café cookbook – a testament to its simple beauty. Dishes like this inspire the way I teach my cooking classes.
Okay, enough reminiscing about the inspiration and history; let’s get cooking. Trust me, give it a try! And if you love it, share and link to the deliciousness. Most importantly, always “Eat with those you Love!” ®
Vancouver food lovers! Want to celebrate with your Ma, Italian style? Join me Mother’s Day Weekend at Killarney Community Centre on Saturday, May 10th at 10:30 am. We will make Hand Rolled Roman Fettuccine and a Savoury Sweet Pomodoro Sauce. My May/June classes are filling fast – come cook with me! May & June Class Calendar
Italian Spinach Recipe:
Recipe Gallery
Equipment:
- Large Boiling Pot
- Salad Spinner
- Strainer
- Tongs
- Chef Knives
- Large Sauté Pan
- Cutting Board
- Microplane
- Cheese Grater
- Small Strainer
- Large Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) Fresh Spinach
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 organic lemon
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- Pepperoncini Chilli Flakes (to taste)
- Seasoning Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
- Sea Salt for Boiling Water
- 3 to 4 Litres (Quarts) of Water
Quick Hints for Great Spinach:
- Do multiple wash cycles with new water.
- Spin dry the greens.
- Store with a slightly damp cloth on top of the greens to retain freshness.
- Season your boiling water so that it tastes like the sea.
- Strain off the spinach well after boiling.
- Cook your garlic until golden, and add chilli just before adding spinach.
- Sauté, don’t fry, the greens.
- Season the hot greens.
- Toss the greens so they are fully coated in the oil.
- Add lemon zest and a dash of lemon juice and toss a few more times to get the flavours to pop.
Instructions:
- Wash spinach thoroughly in several changes of water.
- Spin the spinach dry.
- Boil salted water in a large pot.
- Add spinach and cook until tender (1-3 minutes).
- Drain the spinach well.
- Sauté minced garlic in olive oil in a large pan until lightly golden.
- Add chilli flakes (if using) and sauté for another minute.
- Add the squeezed spinach to the pan and toss to coat.
- Cover briefly if it splatters. Cook until the spinach is dark green and the oil is vibrant.
- Stir in lemon juice and zest.
- Serve immediately.
Italian Spinach Recipe 3 Ways: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Breakfast Idea: Place the sautéed Spinach on toast. Even better is if you place the spinach on pan-fried bread. Check out my Italian Caesar Salad Recipe to learn how to pan-fry bread. Top the sautéed spinach with a poached or fried egg and drizzle the cooking liquor over the top.
Lunch Idea: Toast, grill, or pan-fry bread. Grate Pecorino or Parmesan cheese onto the hot bread and drizzle the spinach oil on top. Add the sautéed spinach and top it with shaved cheese. Parmesan, cheddar, Manchego, and comté will all work. If you want to take it to the next level, stick it under a hot broiler for a melted cheesy treat.
Dinner Idea: Cook your favorite pasta until al dente, making sure to save some of the cooking water. Warm up your delicious Italian Spinach. Toss the hot pasta with the spinach, adding a generous amount of grated Pecorino Romano and Parmesan cheese. Stir it all together, using a little of the reserved pasta water to create a light and tasty sauce. Season with a bit more olive oil, more cheese, or a pinch of chilli flakes if you like. Serve right away!
Give this easy and satisfying Italian Spinach recipe a try, share it, and tell me what you think!
Mangia Bene! Eat Well!
Peter
Pasta Boy Peter
Bring the flavors of Italy to your kitchen! Learn more about my cooking classes in Vancouver here.