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Delicious Spinach Pasta dish featured in a food blog post.

Spinach Pasta Easy Perfect Dinner

This spinach pasta recipe is a quick and easy weeknight meal that's both delicious and healthy. Featuring perfectly cooked pasta coated in a creamy, garlicky sauce with fresh spinach, it's a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound pasta penne, spaghetti, or fettuccine
  • 10 ounces fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes optional
  • 1/2 cup pasta water, reserved after cooking pasta
  • Optional Add-ins: Cooked chicken or shrimp, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced and sautéed mushrooms, toasted pine nuts, 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • large skillet
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Garlic press (optional)
  • Grater
  • knife
  • cutting board
  • wooden spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  5. Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until it has wilted completely, about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Pour in the heavy cream (or half-and-half) and bring to a simmer.
  7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
  8. Simmer for a couple of minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
  9. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the spinach sauce.
  10. Toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
  11. If the sauce is too thick, add a little more of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
  12. Serve immediately and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Variations: Creamy Pesto Spinach Pasta (add pesto), Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach Pasta (add sun-dried tomatoes), Spicy Spinach Pasta (increase red pepper flakes), Cheesy Spinach Pasta Bake (bake with mozzarella cheese).