Pasta with cherry tomatoes and greens

Ingredients

• 4 cups rapini (or 1 bunch)
• 1/4 cup olive oil (plus more for drizzling)
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, kept whole
• 1 lb pasta of your choice (we used gemelli)
• 1 tbsp salt (to add to water for boiling pasta)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes (or to taste)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 2 cups baby spinach (washed and drained (does not need to be completely dry))
• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese (plus more for sprinkling)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare rapini: Prepare your rapini by cutting off about 2 inches from the stem and discarding it. Then, cut the rest of your rapini (stems and leaves) into 2 inch pieces and wash it.

2. 2

   Boil: Fill a large pot with water. Bring the water to a boil and then add the rapini. Bring back to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium and cook the rapini for approximately 2 minutes. Remove the rapini with a sieve or slotted spoon and transfer it to a bowl filled with ice cold water. Do not pour out the water that was used to boil the rapini (you will use it to cook the pasta).

3. 3

   Boil pasta: Bring the water in the pot back to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt and add the pasta. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. When your pasta is cooked, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.

4. 4

   Saute: Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan or pot. Add the onions and cherry tomatoes and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, until the tomatoes start softening and blistering.

5. 5

   Add the garlic, chili flakes and oregano. Stir for 1 minute. Add the baby spinach, and cook until wilted.

6. 6

   Drain the rapini well and add it to the pan. Stir well and heat through.

7. 7

   Combine: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the rest of the ingredients and season with salt and pepper. Mix well.

8. 8

   Cook over medium heat about 5-10 minutes, until all the ingredients have mixed well together. Add some of the reserved pasta water if it is too dry. Turn off the heat.

9. 9

   Add cheese: Add the parmesan cheese, and stir to combine.

10. 10

    Drizzle: Serve, drizzled with additional olive oil and sprinkle with some more parmesan cheese, if desired.

11. 11

    Serve: Enjoy!