Pasta with mozzarella and spinach

Instructions:

1. First, prepare all the necessary ingredients.
2. Cook the spaghetti al dente according to the package directions.
3. While the spaghetti is cooking, cut the mozzarella into small cubes.
4. Cut the spinach into strips or leave the leaves whole if they are small.
5. Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet and sauté the chopped garlic until golden.
6. Add the spinach to the skillet and cook until slightly wilted and bright green.
7. Drain the spaghetti in a colander, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water.
8. Add the spaghetti to the skillet with the spinach and garlic.
9. Pour in the reserved cooking water and cook over medium heat for just a couple of minutes to allow the flavors to infuse the spaghetti and the spinach.
10. Add the mozzarella and gently stir until the cheese melts and is evenly distributed throughout the pasta.
11. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
12. Serve the finished pasta with mozzarella and spinach immediately, while it’s hot and the raw mozzarella cubes are still warm.

Professional tips:

• Use fresh mozzarella in brine – it stretches better
• Add spinach in batches – it quickly reduces in volume
• Don’t overcook pasta – al dente is mandatory!
• Serve immediately – mozzarella should be warm and stringy

Useful variations:

• Add sun-dried tomatoes for tanginess
• Sprinkle with pine nuts for crunch
• Add a pinch of nutmeg to the spinach
• Use ricotta instead of some mozzarella

Enjoy!