Creamy Spinach Pasta Recipe: A Speedy Dinnertime Delight

Creamy and vibrant spinach pasta bursts with flavors that dance across your plate.

The silky sauce coats each strand with rich, velvety goodness.

Fresh spinach adds a delightful green brightness to this classic comfort dish.

Simple ingredients come together in less than 30 minutes for a weeknight meal that feels gourmet.

Parmesan cheese melts into the sauce, creating depth and complexity.

Garlic and olive oil form the perfect aromatic base for this satisfying recipe.

One bite will transport you to an Italian kitchen, where simplicity meets deliciousness.

What’s Inside Pasta With Spinach: Easy & Quick

• Pasta: Provides the hearty foundation of the dish, choose a shape that catches sauce well like penne or fusilli.
• Salt: Enhances pasta's flavor and helps season the water during cooking.

• Olive Oil: Adds rich, smooth base for sautéing and brings depth to the dish.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, aromatic punch that elevates the entire recipe.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and vibrant spiciness to balance the greens.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and rounds out the overall seasoning.
• Parmesan Cheese: Contributes salty, nutty complexity and creamy texture.

• Fresh Spinach: Brings vibrant green color, nutritional boost, and tender leafy texture.
• Lemon Juice: Provides bright, zesty finish that cuts through the richness.
• Pasta Water: Helps create silky sauce and helps ingredients bind together smoothly.

Tools You Need To Make Pasta With Spinach: Easy & Quick

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with enough water and salt.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for sautéing garlic and wilting spinach.
• Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Great for stirring and tossing pasta and spinach.
• Cutting Board: Used for chopping garlic and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Required for mincing garlic precisely.
• Measuring Cup: Helps reserve the correct amount of pasta water.
• Cheese Grater: Useful for freshly grating Parmesan cheese.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 3

Cooking Steps For Pasta With Spinach: Easy & Quick

• Pasta Preparation

Boil a pot of water with salt. Cook pasta until soft but firm. Save some pasta water before draining.

• Garlic Infusion

Heat olive oil in a large pan. Add garlic and create a fragrant base. Allow ingredients to mingle and release delicious aromas.

• Leafy Green Magic

Toss fresh spinach into the warm pan. Watch leaves soften and transform into a vibrant green blanket. Season with a gentle sprinkle of salt and pepper.

• Delicious Fusion

Combine cooked pasta with wilted spinach. Gently mix everything together. If mixture looks dry, splash some reserved pasta water to create a silky texture. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese for extra richness.

• Final Touch

Transfer pasta to serving plates. Add a final dusting of Parmesan. For an optional burst of brightness, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top. Enjoy your creation immediately while warm and aromatic.

Suggestions To Try With Pasta With Spinach: Easy & Quick

• Protein Power: Transform this vegetarian recipe by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy tofu for extra protein. Simply cook your preferred protein separately and mix into the pasta just before serving.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly version that still delivers a rich, cheesy flavor. This swap keeps the dish creamy and satisfying without dairy.
• Pasta Flexibility: Experiment with different pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or whole wheat varieties. Each shape will hold the spinach sauce differently, creating unique texture experiences.
• Greens Boost: Mix in additional leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard for more nutrition. Chop them finely and add them alongside spinach to create a more complex and nutrient-dense meal.

What To Serve With Pasta With Spinach: Easy & Quick

• Flavor Burst Sprinkle: Dust extra red pepper flakes and freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta for an instant kick of heat and savory depth.
• Protein Power Move: Top the pasta with grilled chicken strips, crispy shrimp, or pan-seared tofu to transform this simple dish into a complete meal packed with protein.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Chop fresh basil, parsley, or oregano and sprinkle on top just before serving to add bright, aromatic notes that elevate the entire dish's flavor profile.
• Side Companion Pairing: Serve alongside a light garden salad with lemon vinaigrette or garlic bread to create a balanced and satisfying meal that complements the spinach pasta perfectly.

Plan Ahead With Pasta With Spinach: Easy & Quick

• Quick Storage Solutions
• Refrigerator Recovery: Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The spinach might release moisture, so enjoy within this timeframe for best taste and texture.
• Smart Reheating Trick: Warm refrigerated pasta in a skillet with a splash of water to restore moisture and prevent dryness. Stir gently over medium heat until thoroughly heated, about 34 minutes.
• Freezing Strategy: While fresh pasta with spinach doesn't freeze exceptionally well due to potential texture changes, you can freeze plain cooked pasta separately for future use. Store in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 weeks.
• Lunchbox Preparation: Pack cooled pasta in sealed containers with an ice pack. Consume within 4 hours of preparation to maintain optimal food safety and flavor quality.

Vibrant Pasta With Spinach

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• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Creamy spinach pasta brings together Italian comfort and nutritional goodness in one delightful dish. Rich parmesan and fresh spinach create a simple meal that satisfies both hunger and culinary curiosity with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

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• 8 oz (225 g) pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your choice)
• 6 cups (6 oz) fresh spinach
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for garnish)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup reserved pasta water (optional)
• Lemon wedges (optional)

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Instructions

1. Boiling Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, generously salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until al dente, following package instructions. Reserve a cup of starchy cooking water before draining.
2. Aromatic Foundation: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing until fragrant and golden, releasing their essential oils without burning.
3. Spinach Transformation: Gently add fresh spinach leaves to the skillet, stirring until they wilt and transform into a vibrant emerald landscape. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, creating a flavorful base.
4. Harmonizing Ingredients: Combine drained pasta with the wilted spinach, ensuring each strand is lovingly coated. If the mixture seems dry, incorporate reserved pasta water to create a silky, luxurious texture. Generously sprinkle Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt and embrace the pasta.
5. Serving Finale: Plate the pasta, garnishing with an additional dusting of Parmesan. For a bright, citrusy finish, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish just before presenting to eager diners.

Notes

• Choose High-Quality Spinach: Select fresh, vibrant green spinach leaves without wilting or yellowing edges to ensure maximum flavor and nutritional value.
• Control Pasta Moisture: Reserve pasta water strategically – it’s liquid gold for creating a silky, well-coated sauce that helps ingredients cling perfectly to each pasta strand.
• Prevent Garlic Burning: Sauté garlic briefly over moderate heat, watching carefully to achieve a golden color without bitter, scorched undertones that can ruin the entire dish’s delicate flavor profile.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Easily adapt the recipe by using gluten-free pasta for celiac diets, replacing Parmesan with nutritional yeast for vegan versions, or adding protein like grilled chicken for more substantial meals.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg