Spinach Garlic Penna Pasta
Indulge in the creamy, garlicky goodness of Spinach Garlic Penne Pasta, a quick and satisfying weeknight dinner that’s bursting with flavor! This vibrant dish combines tender penne pasta with a luscious spinach-infused cream sauce, enriched by the savory depth of sautéed garlic and perfectly melted parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between hearty and wholesome, with fresh spinach adding a pop of color and nutrients to every bite. Simple seasoning with black pepper and optional red pepper flakes brings just the right amount of kick to the silky sauce. Ideal for family dinners or casual entertaining, this easy pasta recipe delivers restaurant-quality comfort food with minimal effort. Serve it warm, topped with extra parmesan for an irresistible finishing touch! Perfect keywords: creamy spinach pasta, garlic penne, easy weeknight pasta recipes, vegetarian pasta recipes, 30-minute meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 250 grams penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves
- 200 grams fresh spinach leaves
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 50 grams grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 4 liters water
- 2 teaspoons salt for pasta water
Instructions
Bring 4 liters of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the boiling water.
Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
While the pasta cooks, peel and finely mince the garlic cloves.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
Add the fresh spinach leaves to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted.
Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine the spinach, garlic, and cream.
Add the grated parmesan cheese to the skillet and stir until it melts into the sauce.
Season the sauce with 1 teaspoon of salt, 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper, and 0.25 teaspoon of red pepper flakes, if using. Mix well.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, stirring until the desired consistency is reached.
Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld, then remove the skillet from heat.
Serve the Spinach Garlic Penne Pasta warm, garnished with extra parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2213 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 128.2 g | 164% | |
| Saturated Fat | 62.4 g | 312% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 290 mg | 97% | |
| Sodium | 7454 mg | 324% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 195.2 g | 71% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.4 g | 51% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.7 g | ||
| Protein | 58.2 g | 116% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 1019 mg | 78% | |
| Iron | 15.0 mg | 83% | |
| Potassium | 1677 mg | 36% | |
*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.
