Quick Spinach Pasta is your new weeknight savior, offering a delicious and incredibly easy meal that comes together in minutes. This adaptable dish is perfect for those busy evenings when you crave something satisfying without the fuss.
Key Ingredients for Quick Spinach Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti work best)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- 5 ounces fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
- Optional additions: cooked chicken, shrimp, cherry tomatoes, or toasted pine nuts
How to Make Quick Spinach Pasta
This Quick Spinach Pasta recipe is designed for speed and flavor, proving that delicious, satisfying meals don’t need to be complicated. In under 20 minutes, you’ll have a creamy, vibrant pasta dish that’s both wholesome and incredibly tasty. The simple yet effective technique creates a beautiful sauce that coats every strand of pasta perfectly, making it a joy to eat.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté the Aromatics: While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter.
- Wilt the Spinach: Add the 5 ounces of fresh spinach to the skillet. It might seem like a lot, but it will wilt down considerably. Stir the spinach continuously until it has softened and reduced in volume, which should take about 2–3 minutes.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half. Stir well to combine with the spinach and garlic. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 2 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- Combine and Season: Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the spinach sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. Gradually stir in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Adjust Consistency and Season: If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir everything together until well combined and the sauce is gloriously coating every piece of pasta.
- Serve: Serve the Quick Spinach Pasta immediately. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and any optional toppings you desire, such as toasted pine nuts for crunch or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Why You’ll Love This Quick Spinach Pasta
You’ll absolutely adore this Quick Spinach Pasta for its incredibly vibrant green hue and luxuriously creamy texture. It’s a true budget-friendly hero; making this at home saves you a significant amount compared to ordering takeout or dining out, without compromising on taste.
What truly sets it apart are the simple yet impactful flavor boosters like fragrant garlic, a hint of heat from red pepper flakes, and the rich finish of Parmesan cheese, all coming together to create a dish that rivals any fancy restaurant pasta. Unlike a simple garlic and oil pasta, this recipe packs a nutritional punch and a more satisfying, complex flavor profile. Get ready to make this your new go-to, and let us know how you enjoy it!
Storing and Reheating Tips
This Quick Spinach Pasta is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be wonderfully preserved for future enjoyment.
Refrigeration: Allow the pasta to cool completely before storing. Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating:
- Stovetop (Recommended): For the best texture, reheat the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or milk to help loosen the sauce and prevent it from drying out. Stir frequently until heated through.
- Microwave: Place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish, add a tablespoon or two of water, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until heated through. Be aware that microwaved pasta can sometimes have a slightly softer texture.
Freezing: While not ideal for maintaining optimal texture, you can freeze this pasta. Cool completely, portion into freezer-safe containers or bags, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating using the stovetop method.
Final Thoughts
This Quick Spinach Pasta is the epitome of simple, satisfying comfort food that you can feel good about serving. Give it a try for a delicious and easy meal solution that will surely become a family favorite.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Quick Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your 12 ounces of pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.12 ounces pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
- Sauté the Aromatics: While the pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant but not browned. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter.2 tablespoons olive oil, 4 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Wilt the Spinach: Add the 5 ounces of fresh spinach to the skillet. It might seem like a lot, but it will wilt down considerably. Stir the spinach continuously until it has softened and reduced in volume, which should take about 2–3 minutes.5 ounces fresh spinach
- Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in 1/2 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half. Stir well to combine with the spinach and garlic. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 2 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly.1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- Combine and Season: Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the spinach sauce. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly. Gradually stir in 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.12 ounces pasta (linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti), 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Adjust Consistency and Season: If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir everything together until well combined and the sauce is gloriously coating every piece of pasta.1 cup pasta cooking water, to taste salt, to taste black pepper
- Serve: Serve the Quick Spinach Pasta immediately. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and any optional toppings you desire, such as toasted pine nuts for crunch or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat.1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes