Description
Creamy spinach pasta blends Italian culinary traditions with comforting flavors. Simple ingredients create a quick weeknight meal that satisfies hunger and delights palates.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Sautéing Base: Heat olive oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, releasing its aromatic essence.
- 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.
- 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.
- Combining Elements: Transfer drained pasta directly into the spinach-cream mixture. Thoroughly toss to ensure even coating and flavor distribution.
- 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