Description
Quick Spinach Pasta is a fast and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe combines fresh spinach, pasta, garlic, and Parmesan for a nutritious and satisfying dish ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your choice)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 cups fresh spinach, washed and chopped
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Sauté Garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Spinach: Gradually add the chopped spinach to the skillet. Stir continuously, cooking until the spinach wilts, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
- Combine: Once the spinach is wilted, add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is coated in the garlic oil and spinach.
- Moisten: If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Season: Sprinkle the red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper over the pasta. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Finish with Cheese: Add the grated Parmesan cheese and mix until melted and incorporated throughout the pasta.
- Serve: Plate the pasta while hot and garnish with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of lemon juice to elevate the flavors.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh spinach.
- Adjust seasoning to your personal preference.
- Add nuts like toasted pine nuts or walnuts for added crunch.
- Experiment with different cheeses like feta or goat cheese.
- For a creamy version, add heavy cream or ricotta cheese.
- This dish is great for meal prep and can be stored for 3-4 days.
- It can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw and reheat gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: N/A