Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pasta
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pasta, a luscious weeknight dinner that’s as easy to make as it is impressive. This recipe combines tender penne pasta with a rich, velvety sauce made from cream cheese and Parmesan, infused with the bold flavors of sautéed garlic and a hint of spice from optional red pepper flakes. The addition of nutrient-packed spinach and tangy artichoke hearts gives the dish a vibrant, gourmet twist reminiscent of the classic dip everyone loves. Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pan pasta is perfect for busy evenings, yet elegant enough for entertaining. Garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness, this dish will quickly become a favorite in your dinner rotation. Tag this recipe under creamy pasta, spinach artichoke recipes, and quick dinner ideas for a quick SEO boost!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Milk
- 4 oz Cream cheese
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
- 1 cup Artichoke hearts (quartered, canned or jarred, drained)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, minced, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Melt the butter in the skillet with the garlic, then whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously, until the flour is slightly golden.
Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the cream cheese to the sauce, stirring until smooth. Then, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
Fold in the spinach and artichoke hearts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out by adding some of the reserved pasta cooking water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy your Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pasta!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2792 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 118.1 g | 151% | |
| Saturated Fat | 60.2 g | 301% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 304 mg | 101% | |
| Sodium | 5323 mg | 231% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 334.1 g | 121% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 32.3 g | 115% | |
| Total Sugars | 31.8 g | ||
| Protein | 115.7 g | 231% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.5 mcg | 27% | |
| Calcium | 2057 mg | 158% | |
| Iron | 21.5 mg | 119% | |
| Potassium | 3223 mg | 69% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
