Bright & Lively Spinach Pasta Recipe to Spark Your Meals

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that satisfy hunger and spark joy with this vibrant pasta with spinach.

Leafy greens bring incredible nutrition and color to classic pasta dishes.

Tender spinach wilts perfectly into warm noodles, creating a creamy and satisfying meal.

Rich parmesan cheese adds depth and complexity to each bite.

Simple ingredients combine to craft a restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen.

The recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy households.

One forkful will transport you to a cozy Italian trattoria, filling your plate with comfort and flavor.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 4

Pasta with Spinach Ingredient List

• Pasta: Choose a variety that catches sauce well, like penne or fusilli for maximum flavor absorption.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and helps season pasta water perfectly.

• Garlic: Adds deep, warm flavor and creates a fragrant foundation for the dish.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking base and rich Mediterranean essence.

• Spinach: Introduces vibrant color, nutritional boost, and tender texture to the pasta.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky sauce with indulgent mouthfeel.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers sharp, salty notes and helps thicken sauce naturally.

• Lemon Juice: Brightens entire dish with tangy, fresh undertone.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Delivers subtle heat and exciting flavor complexity.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and rounded spiciness.

Tools for Tossing a Quick Veggie Pasta

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta with plenty of water.
• Skillet: Perfect for sautéing garlic and spinach with even heat.
• Wooden spoon or tongs: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Knife and cutting board: Used for preparing garlic and chopping spinach.
• Measuring cup: Helps measure pasta water and other ingredients accurately.

How to Make Pasta with Wilted Spinach

• Boil Water

Get a big pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in some salt and bring it to a rolling boil.

• Cook Pasta

Drop the pasta into the bubbling water and cook until perfectly tender. Save a little water before draining.

• Sizzle Garlic

Warm olive oil in a large pan. Toss in minced garlic and let it dance and become fragrant.

• Wilt Spinach

Slide fresh spinach into the pan with garlic. Watch it shrink and turn silky smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

• Create Creamy (Optional)

For extra richness, pour in some cream and let it simmer gently, creating a luxurious sauce.

• Marry Pasta and Greens

Slide the cooked pasta into the spinach pan. Twirl everything together. If it looks dry, splash in some reserved pasta water.

• Finish with Flavor

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and squeeze fresh lemon juice. Give a final taste and adjust seasoning.

• Serve and Enjoy

Plate your creation. Top with extra Parmesan, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of olive oil if you’re feeling fancy.

Tips for Balancing Greens and Garlic

• If garlic starts to brown too quickly, immediately lower the heat to prevent burning and bitter flavors.
• Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini or spaghetti squash for a lighter, vegetable-based alternative that keeps the dish's essence.
• Mix in grilled chicken, shrimp, or crumbled tofu to transform this simple pasta into a more substantial meal with added protein.
• Substitute Parmesan with nutritional yeast for a similar cheesy flavor while keeping the recipe vegan-friendly and dairy-free.

Serve Hot or Cold With Parmesan

• Dining Companions: Pair this pasta with a crisp green salad dressed in light vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
• Protein Power-Up: Top the dish with grilled chicken, shrimp, or pan-seared salmon to transform it into a heartier dinner option.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra Parmesan, crumbled feta, or dollops of creamy ricotta for added richness and depth of flavor.
• Wine Window: Complement the pasta with a chilled white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, which beautifully match the dish's light and fresh profile.

Store Pasta for Next-Day Lunches

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain texture and prevent moisture absorption.
• Warm portions in a skillet with a splash of water or olive oil to restore moisture and prevent pasta from becoming dry. Stir gently while reheating to distribute heat evenly.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Separate spinach and pasta layers to prevent sogginess when thawing.
• Prepare pasta base earlier in the week. Keep spinach and sauce ingredients separate until ready to combine, ensuring maximum freshness and preventing wilting or sogginess.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach?

Yes, you can. Thaw and drain the frozen spinach completely, then squeeze out excess water before adding it to the skillet. Fresh spinach provides a better texture, but frozen spinach works well in a pinch.

• Is this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, this pasta with spinach recipe is vegetarian. If you want to keep it vegetarian, ensure you use vegetarian Parmesan cheese, as traditional Parmesan contains animal rennet.

• How can I make this dish more protein-rich?

Add protein by incorporating cooked chicken, shrimp, tofu, or white beans directly into the pasta. You can also sprinkle some toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds on top for extra protein and crunch.

• What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rotini work great because they hold the spinach and sauce well. However, you can use any pasta shape you prefer or have on hand.

Vibrant Pasta With Spinach Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy spinach pasta blends Italian culinary traditions with comforting flavors. Simple ingredients create a quick weeknight meal that satisfies hunger and delights palates.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your choice)
• 8 oz (226 g) fresh spinach (about 5–6 cups, loosely packed)
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half (optional, for a creamier version)
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp (5 ml) lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
• Salt (for pasta water)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Red pepper flakes
• Additional Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Boiling Pasta: Fill a large pot with water, heavily salt, and bring to a vigorous boil. Cook pasta until al dente, precisely following package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup starchy pasta water before draining.
2. Sautéing Base: Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, releasing its aromatic essence.
3. Wilting Greens: Add fresh spinach to the skillet, allowing leaves to collapse and soften. Season with salt and cracked pepper, stirring periodically until greens reach a tender, vibrant state.
4. Creating Sauce: Lower heat and introduce heavy cream, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and develop rich, velvety undertones. If needed, create a silky consistency by adding reserved pasta water.
5. Combining Elements: Transfer drained pasta directly into the spinach-cream mixture. Thoroughly toss to ensure even coating and flavor distribution.
6. Finishing Touches: Fold in freshly grated Parmesan and a zesty lemon juice splash. Adjust seasoning to taste. Plate the pasta, garnishing with additional Parmesan shavings, red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for an elevated culinary experience.

Notes

• Preserve Pasta Water: Retain starchy pasta water as a magical binding agent to create a silky, smooth sauce without drying out the dish.
• Gentle Spinach Wilting: Cook spinach just until it wilts to maintain vibrant green color and prevent mushiness, preserving nutritional integrity and fresh texture.
• Cream Control: Add cream slowly and simmer gently to prevent separation and achieve a luxurious, velvety sauce consistency without curdling.
• Flavor Balancing: Use lemon juice and Parmesan as final touch points to brighten flavors, cut through richness, and elevate overall taste profile.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 52 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg