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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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