Pasta and Spinach
Elevate your weeknight dinner game with this quick and nutritious Pasta and Spinach recipe! Featuring perfectly al dente pasta tossed with tender, garlicky spinach and a light, flavorful sauce, this dish comes together in just 25 minutes. A handful of simple pantry staples—like olive oil, fresh garlic, and grated Parmesan—transform into a rich, savory combination that's both comforting and wholesome. The addition of reserved pasta water creates a silky, restaurant-quality texture, while optional red pepper flakes provide a hint of heat. This vegetarian pasta is perfect as a standalone meal or served alongside a crisp salad and crusty bread. Ideal for busy evenings, "Pasta and Spinach" pairs quick preparation with gourmet flavor for a meal the whole family will love! Keywords: pasta recipes, spinach pasta, quick dinner ideas, vegetarian pasta, easy Italian recipes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams Pasta (e.g., spaghetti, penne)
- 150 grams Fresh spinach leaves
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 whole Garlic cloves
- 50 grams Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper (freshly ground)
- 0.25 teaspoon Red pepper flakes (optional)
- 120 milliliters Pasta cooking water
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 120 milliliters of the pasta cooking water before draining.
While the pasta cooks, rinse the spinach and allow it to drain completely.
Peel and finely slice the garlic cloves.
In a large skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the sliced garlic to the heated oil and sauté for 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant and slightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the fresh spinach to the pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wilted.
Season the spinach with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine with the spinach and garlic.
Pour in the reserved pasta cooking water and mix well to create a light sauce that coats the pasta evenly.
Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Toss once more to combine.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and freshly ground black pepper if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1116 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 59.9 g | 77% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.1 g | 80% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 3248 mg | 141% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 105.3 g | 38% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.6 g | 34% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.8 g | ||
| Protein | 41.6 g | 83% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 743 mg | 57% | |
| Iron | 5.9 mg | 33% | |
| Potassium | 1073 mg | 23% | |
*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.
