This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ElevateYourMeal #CollectiveBias

Ray (my husband) and I try to incorporate date night…[ehh] once a week at best. With his wonky work schedule, sometimes that can feel impossible. Working nights half the year can be pretty exhausting. So setting aside quality time together is super important.

One of our favorite, and ridiculously simple, date night activities is cooking. As if we don’t do that enough already, right? Well, let’s just say I am usually the better cook in the household.

[Shh], don’t tell him I said that.

Although, Ray is a master when it comes to cooking pasta. We will usually make a dish that we can tackle together in order to have more time focusing on what truly matters: each other.

With Barilla® Collezione pasta, our date night dishes become even more authentic. Made with non-GMO ingredients, this artisanal premium pasta is perfect for when we feel daring in the kitchen, or are really just trying to avoid ordering take out.

There are six pasta shapes to choose from, including the signature Totellini. Each are crafted with traditional Italian bronze plates, which allow for that homemade “al dente” texture we all know and love.

Lately we have been pretty obsessed with the Bucatini pasta – similar to spaghetti, but much thicker and hollow in the center. We picked up a box or 2, maybe 3 (who’s counting, anyway), at Publix to have with a date night recipe. Plus right now if you spend $15 on any Barilla® Collezione products between 09/06/18 and 11/26/18, you’ll receive a $5 reward!

[date night dinner for two]

pasta with lemon, capers and spinach

We really enjoy experimenting with different ingredients, but it can be irritating to go through all the work just to have the sauce separate. You know what I mean? Not to worry, the Collezione pasta holds sauce perfectly with each bite – whether you are using marinara, a thick cream sauce or simply olive oil.

For this week’s date night recipe, we added a handful of fresh ingredients, such as lemon, capers and spinach. This really allows for the pasta to be the star of the show. It’s a quick and delicious weeknight meal in under 20 minutes or the perfect dish for that date night occasion.

Pasta With Lemon, Capers and Spinach

theMRSingLink This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ElevateYourMeal #CollectiveBias Ray (my husband) and I try to incorporate date night…[ehh] once a week at best. With his wonky work schedule, sometimes that can feel impossible. Working nights half the year can be pretty exhausting. So setting […] Date Night Recipes [Date Night Dinner For Two] Pasta With Lemon, Capers and Spinach European

Serves: 2 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes 15 minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

2 Servings of Barilla® Collezione Bucatini
8 Tbsp of olive oil
1 Minced garlic clove
1 1/2 Tbsp capers
3/4 Cup chopped spinach
2 Tbsp lemon juice (1 whole lemon)
1/3 Cup halved cherry tomatoes
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 Cup shaved Romano

Instructions

1. Start a pot of boiling water (4-6 quarts) for the Barilla® Collezione Bucatini pasta, as well as a pan on medium-low heat. TIP: always fill the pot with hot water (it speeds up the boiling process).
2. Add the olive oil, spinach and cherry tomatoes to the pan. Everything should be lightly sauteing without burning (turn down the heat to low if need be). Stir until the spinach incorporates with the olive oil.
3. Add in the minced garlic and two tablespoons of lemon juice. One lemon will get you more than enough for this dish. Allow everything to simmer, stirring occasionally.
4. At this point your pot should have come to a boil. Measure 2 servings of pasta into the pot and set a timer for 7 minutes to ensure that Al Dente texture.
5. Lastly, add in 1 1/2 tablespoons of capers and 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley to the pan. After 7 minutes, drain the pasta and add to the pan. Fold the pasta in with the olive oil mixture thoroughly before serving.
6. Top dish with more fresh parsley and shaved Romano cheese.

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