Pasta with Cretan Olive Oil

Pasta with Cretan Olive Oil is a light and flavorful dish that showcases the rich, fruity notes of high-quality olive oil from Crete. Paired with fresh herbs and vegetables, this dish is both satisfying and nourishing.

Ingredients

• Pasta (spaghetti or linguine) - 160 grams
• Cretan olive oil - 60 ml
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Cherry tomatoes - 200 grams, halved
• Fresh basil - 20 grams, chopped
• Feta cheese - 50 grams, crumbled
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Red pepper flakes - 1/2 teaspoon (optional)

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the Cretan olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
5. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.
6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the tomatoes and garlic, along with the reserved pasta water.
7. Stir in the chopped basil, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
8. Toss everything together for 2-3 minutes over low heat until well combined.
9. Serve the pasta warm, topped with crumbled feta cheese and additional fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 60 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 20 mg
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in healthy fats from olive oil which support heart health.
• Contains antioxidants from tomatoes and basil that may help reduce inflammation.

Tags