Mediterranean Italian Noodles Recipe
light, fresh, aromatic noodle dish loaded with veggies, herbs, olive oil, and Italian-Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
For the Noodles
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250g spaghetti or linguine
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Salt (for boiling)
For the Mediterranean Sauce
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3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1 small onion, sliced
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1 cup baby spinach
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½ cup black olives, sliced
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½ cup roasted red peppers, sliced
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¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
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1 tsp oregano
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½ tsp chili flakes
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½ tsp black pepper
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Salt, to taste
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¼ cup fresh basil leaves
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2 tbsp lemon juice
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¼ cup grated Parmesan (optional but recommended)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Noodles
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Boil water with salt.
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Add noodles and cook until al dente.
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Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
Step 2: Prepare the Mediterranean Mix
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Heat olive oil in a pan.
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Add garlic + onion → sauté until fragrant.
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Add cherry tomatoes and cook until soft.
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Add olives, roasted peppers, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes.
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Season with oregano, chili flakes, salt, and black pepper.
Step 3: Combine
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Add cooked noodles into the pan.
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Pour a splash of pasta water to help mix.
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Add lemon juice + basil leaves.
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Toss until everything is coated beautifully.
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Finish with Parmesan cheese.
Serve With
Garlic bread Grilled chicken Fresh salad Extra basil & olive oil drizzle
Q&A
Q1: Can I use any other type of pasta?
Yes, penne, bowtie (farfalle), or fettuccine all work great.
Q2: Can I make it vegan?
Absolutely! Just skip Parmesan and add nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.
Q3: Can I add protein?
Yes — grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas taste amazing.
Q4: How to make it spicy?
Increase chili flakes or add a little harissa.
Q5: Can I store it?
Yes, refrigerate for 2 days. Add a splash of olive oil before reheating.
