One-Pot Penne with Spinach and Feta

Ingredients

• 8 garlic cloves, peeled, 3 left whole, 5 minced
• 4 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• ½ stick (4 tablespoons) butter, melted
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese (generous 4½ ounces), plus more for topping
• ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 ½ cups dry bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 ¾ teaspoons salt, divided
• 4 large eggs
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
• 1 pound penne pasta

Instructions

1. 1
   Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 whole garlic cloves and toast until spotty brown, about 5 minutes. Remove garlic from skillet, smash, and mince.
2. 2
   Meanwhile, break up spinach into a medium bowl. With a fork, mix in butter, cheeses, cracker crumbs, oregano, and ¾ teaspoon salt.
3. 3
   Mix eggs and minced toasted garlic together and stir into spinach mixture with fork until thoroughly combined. Using a 2-tablespoon measure, such as a coffee scoop, form mixture into about 36 balls.
4. 4
   Coat a large heavy roasting pan with 2 tablespoons oil. Add spinach balls and roast in oven until firm, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
5. 5
   Add remaining ¼ cup oil, pepper flakes and remaining 5 minced garlic cloves to roasting pan and set over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring, until garlic is golden, a couple of minutes. Add wine and simmer to reduce by half, about a minute. Add tomatoes and enough water to make a saucelike consistency.
6. 6
   Bring to a simmer, add spinach balls and reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, loosely covered with heavy-duty foil, to blend flavors, 10 to 15 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, add 6 cups water and remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and return to a simmer.
7. 7
   Add penne, cover loosely with foil and cook, stirring gently and frequently, until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Serve, sprinkling each portion with feta cheese.