Sun-dried Tomato & Kalamata Olive Lemon Pasta
I find it amazing how much our taste in food adapts and evolves as we age. Do you know children often need to be introduced to a food 15-20 times before deciding whether they like or dislike it? I must have never given many of the ingredients in this dish a proper chance because if I told my 10-year-old self that I would be happily chowing down a bowl of pasta with mushrooms, garlic, lemon and… olives? Gasp! Unthinkable!
For my whole childhood and early young adulthood, I was an olive hater. It was more than simple dislike of olives; when others ate them I would scrunch my face up and say, “Ew, gross, you like olives??” Clearly I was particularly mature for my age.
But this pasta here, this is miracle pasta. Whether you snarf down olives by the jar or their briny smell makes you run away, you must try this pasta dish. The savory mushrooms and pasta are perfectly balanced by the saltiness of the olives and Parmesan. The lemon and parsley provide a fresh finish and help keep the dish light. This recipe is easily adaptable as you can adjust it to your own preferences. A few more mushrooms, a little less garlic, it’s up to you. If you’re feeling super adventurous you could even load up on the olives.
Since I’m still warming up to olives and don’t want a whole jar of them sitting in our fridge I usually get what I need from the salad bar at my grocery store. Sometimes if you put them in the little dressing container they won’t even charge you! Now hurry up and get cooking!
- 12 ounces thick spaghetti
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, pits removed & chopped
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ⅓ cup fresh grated parmesan, plus more for serving
- ½ cup fresh chopped parsley
- Cook the spaghetti al dente. When draining the cooked pasta, reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.
- While the pasta is cooking heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and mushrooms, stirring occasionally.
- After 5 minutes, or once the mushrooms look almost browned, add the olives, lemon juice and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Add the cooked spaghetti, lemon zest and parsley to the skillet. Toss together in the skillet then add ⅓ cup of the reserved water. Add more reserved water if there is not enough sauce to coat the spaghetti.
- After pasta is tossed, top with the parmesan.
- To serve top with more parmesan if desired.
Recipe adapted from September 2013 issue of Women’s Health.
Dayna
10.09.13 @ 2:14 pm
Looks delicious!! I can’t wait to make it! Maybe I can even get my boyfriend to try it even though he doesn’t like olives haha
Lauren
10.09.13 @ 5:21 pm
Thanks, Dayna! Just don’t tell him that olives are involved and then it will be a pleasant surprise once he starts eating
Matt Schweers
10.11.13 @ 10:50 am
This recipe is really awesome! Glad it was the first post
Lauren
10.11.13 @ 11:57 am
Thanks, Matt!
Clara
08.09.20 @ 11:07 am
This was really simple and delicious, thank you!
Lauren
08.24.20 @ 3:37 pm
Thanks, Clara! I’m glad you enjoyed it!