This pork and white bean ragu does away with the usual tomato sauce and, instead, is made with a milk-based 'blonde' sauce. Providing a lighter alternative to cream, milk works wonderfully with the flavour of pork and herby sage in this warming autumnal dish.
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil for the pasta. Meanwhile, peel and thinly slice eschalot. Thinly slice garlic. Pick sage leaves from their stems and finely chop.
Heat oil in a deep frypan over medium heat. Add eschalot, garlic and sage, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes or until sweet and softened.
Add pork mince to pan and cook, breaking up lumps with a wooden spoon, for 5-6 minutes or until browned. Add stock cube, milk and 160ml (⅔ cup) water and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for a further 5–6 minutes or until sauce has thickened slightly and is fragrant.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in a saucepan of salted, boiling water for 8–10 minutes or until al dente. Drain, reserving 80ml (⅓ cup) pasta water, and set aside.
Rinse and drain beans. Add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, beans and spinach to sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes or until spinach has wilted and sauce has thickened slightly to coat the pasta. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Toss salad leaves with your favourite dressing. Divide pasta between bowls and sprinkle with parmesan to serve.