Skip to main content

Whole-Wheat Pasta with Lentils, Spinach, and Leeks

If you like, grate some Parmesan cheese over the tossed pasta just before serving, or offer grated cheese on the side.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

2 cups (14 ounces) French green lentils
2 garlic cloves
1 dried bay leaf
1 pound small whole-wheat chiocciole or other small tubular pasta
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 leeks (about 1 3/4 pounds), white and light-green parts only, sliced into 1/8-inch rounds, washed well and drained
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
Freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces baby spinach, washed

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils, 1 garlic clove, and the bay leaf. Add enough cold water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the lentils are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, and discard the garlic clove and bay leaf; set the lentils aside.

    Step 2

    Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta; cook until al dente, according to package instructions, about 7 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Place the pasta in a large bowl.

    Step 3

    Meanwhile, mince the remaining garlic clove. In a large sauté pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, leeks, and thyme; cook, stirring occasionally, until the leeks are soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the cooked lentils and salt; season with pepper.

    Step 4

    Add the spinach and reserved cooking liquid to the pan; toss to wilt the spinach, about 2 minutes. Pour the mixture over the pasta, tossing to combine. Serve immediately.

  2. Fit to eat recipe

    Step 5

    (Per serving)

    Step 6

    Calories: 638

    Step 7

    Fat: 9g

    Step 8

    Cholesterol: 0mg

    Step 9

    Carbohydrate: 120g

    Step 10

    Sodium: 793mg

    Step 11

    Protein: 29g

    Step 12

    Fiber: 11g

The cookbook cover with a blue background and fine typeface.
Reprinted with permission from The Martha Stewart Living Cookbook: The New Classics by Martha Stewart Living Magazine, copyright © 2007. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of The Crown Publishing Group. Buy the full book from Amazon.
Read More
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
This one-pot dinner cooks chicken thighs directly on top of a bed of flavorful cilantro rice studded with black beans for a complete dinner.
Put that half-full tub to use with recipes that go beyond the Italian American classics.
Like Sri Lankan cashew curry and vegan stuffed shells.
Glossy, intensely chocolaty, and spiked with coffee and sour cream, this Bundt is the ultimate all-purpose dessert.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Use this simple vinaigrette to dress a plate of greens, some steamed potatoes, or anything else that strikes your fancy.