Spinach and gorgonzola pasta

Name: Spinach and gorgonzola pasta
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Spaghetti chitarra-style 11.3 oz; Crushed red pepper 4 tsp; Spinach 8.3 cups; Gorgonzola cheese 7 oz; Extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; Peanut seed oil 1.3 cups

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Serving: 4

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PRESENTATION

If you're on the hunt for something different for dinner, let me tell you, this pasta with spinach and gorgonzola is a solid choice. Really solid. It's like a mashup of flavors from both Northern and Southern Italy—super interesting. And the pasta? Spaghetti alla chitarra. It holds onto this creamy spinach sauce so, so well. It is not just smooth; it's packed with flavor, really.

And here's the thing, that pureed spinach gives the sauce this nice depth, making sure every strand is coated perfectly. Then there's the gorgonzola cheese—it adds a sharp, tangy twist. Keeps every bite way, way more exciting. And you know what? The crispy, hand-crushed peperoni cruschi from the South, they bring such a good crunch. Plus, a hint of smokiness. Seriously good. This isn’t your typical creamy gorgonzola pasta—it's like a blend of different Italian traditions. Which is great.

In this spinach gorgonzola pasta recipe, the heart of regional Italian cooking really shines. In the North, bold blue cheeses like gorgonzola are a favorite. Melts beautifully into the sauce, making it extra rich and moist. Meanwhile, the peppery kick from the peperoni cruschi brings in that Southern flair. The combo of cool, earthy spinach and tangy cheese gives the dish its own unique vibe. And look, those crunchy peppers add excitement, preventing it from feeling too heavy. Even if green veggies aren’t usually your thing, you might find the tender creaminess of the spinach here pretty tempting.

Italian home cooks love mixing regional ingredients—creating dishes that feel both classic and bold. Anyone into easy pasta recipes or vegetarian options will have plenty to enjoy. It’s a fun way to explore Italy’s diverse culinary landscape in just one bowl. Once you try it, you might be inspired to discover more spinach pasta sauce ideas—or just crave another helping of this flavor-packed dish. This recipe captures the spirit of Italian fusion, making it a must-try for any pasta lover.

INGREDIENTS

Spaghetti 11.3 oz (320 g) - chitarra-style

Crushed red pepper 4 tsp (10 g)

Spinach 8.3 cups (250 g)

Gorgonzola cheese 7 oz (200 g)

Extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp (30 g)

Fine salt to taste

Black pepper to taste

For frying: Peanut seed oil 1.3 cups (300 g)

Preparation

How to prepare Spinach and gorgonzola pasta

To prepare the spinach and gorgonzola pasta, first bring the water to heat with the salt 1. Once it reaches a boil, add the spinach 2 and cook them for about 3-4 minutes 3.

Drain them into a pitcher 4 and season with oil 5, salt and pepper 6.

Blend with an immersion blender 7 until you obtain a creamy puree 8. Heat the vegetable oil and fry the peperoni cruschi for a couple of minutes 9.

Then drain them on paper towels 10 and let them cool. Cook the spaghetti alla chitarra al dente in the same water you used to cook the spinach 11. Meanwhile, pour the puree into a pan 12.

Add the gorgonzola in pieces 13, taking care to reserve a few spoonfuls for the final decoration, and stir to melt it 14. Now drain the spaghetti 15.

Transfer them directly into the pan with the sauce 16, finish cooking, adding some of the pasta water if necessary 17. Plate the spaghetti immediately 18.

Garnish with the reserved dollops of gorgonzola 19 and the fried peperoni cruschi crumbled by hand 20. Serve the spinach and gorgonzola pasta immediately 21.

Storage

The spinach and gorgonzola pasta can be stored in the refrigerator for one day.

You can prepare the spinach sauce in advance and keep it in the fridge.

Tip

If you can't find peperoni cruschi, you can easily substitute them with chopped walnuts or almonds toasted in a pan, which will give the dish the same pleasant crunch, creating a perfect contrast with the enveloping creaminess of the gorgonzola and spinach.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.

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