Popeye Pasta
Dive into a bowl of rich and velvety Popeye Pasta, a quick and easy dinner recipe that merges simple ingredients with big, comforting flavors! This creamy penne pasta dish features tender baby spinach wilted to perfection in a luscious garlic-infused parmesan cream sauce, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal for busy weeknights. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal way to sneak leafy greens into your family’s diet while indulging in restaurant-quality flavor. Customize it with a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat or garnish with fresh parsley for an herby finish. Whether you’re cooking for four or meal-prepping for the week, this one-pot marvel promises to be a new favorite. Perfectly creamy, easy to make, and brimming with spinach goodness—Popeye Pasta is spinach lover's heaven!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 pieces garlic cloves
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the skillet. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the baby spinach to the skillet in batches, stirring until wilted. This should take 3-4 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
Gradually add the grated parmesan cheese to the skillet, stirring constantly until a smooth and creamy sauce forms.
Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to combine, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, add the reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time to reach your desired consistency.
Garnish with fresh parsley (if using) and serve the Popeye Pasta warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2651 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 138.1 g | 177% | |
| Saturated Fat | 68.3 g | 342% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 320 mg | 107% | |
| Sodium | 2760 mg | 120% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 260.1 g | 95% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.3 g | 62% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.0 g | ||
| Protein | 79.7 g | 159% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1076 mg | 83% | |
| Iron | 18.6 mg | 103% | |
| Potassium | 762 mg | 16% | |
*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.
