Italian Style Spinach
Transform your greens into a taste of Italy with this vibrant and easy-to-make Italian Style Spinach recipe. Packed with the bold flavors of garlic, red pepper flakes, and a zesty squeeze of fresh lemon, this quick side dish takes just 20 minutes to prepare and is the perfect complement to any main course. The spinach is gently sautéed in extra virgin olive oil, creating a tender, aromatic base, while the optional finishing touch of Parmesan cheese adds a delightful savory note. Healthy, flavorful, and irresistibly simple, this dish is a go-to option for busy weeknights or elegant dinner spreads. Perfectly seasoned and brimming with freshness, Italian Style Spinach is a must-try recipe for lovers of quick, nutritious, and Mediterranean-inspired meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 450 grams fresh spinach
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 large garlic cloves
- 0.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 0.5 whole lemon
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Wash the spinach thoroughly under cold running water and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
Peel and thinly slice the garlic cloves.
In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
Add the sliced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and just starting to turn golden (do not let it burn).
Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes and stir for an additional 30 seconds to infuse the oil with a slight kick of heat.
Gradually add the spinach to the skillet, working in batches if necessary. As it wilts, keep turning it with tongs or a spatula to coat it evenly with the garlic-infused oil.
Once all the spinach has wilted, season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to evenly distribute the seasoning.
Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the spinach, tossing gently to combine. Adjust the amount of lemon juice to your taste preference.
Remove the skillet from the heat and transfer the spinach to a serving dish.
Optionally, sprinkle the spinach with grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
431 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 31.1 g | 40% | |
| Saturated Fat | 5.9 g | 30% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 6 mg | 2% | |
| Sodium | 1678 mg | 73% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 26.0 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.7 g | 45% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.8 g | ||
| Protein | 16.2 g | 32% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 575 mg | 44% | |
| Iron | 15.0 mg | 83% | |
| Potassium | 148 mg | 3% | |
*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.
