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Pasta with Spinach Sauce

A creamy, flavorful dish with fresh spinach, garlic, and cream cheese, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying lunch.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz Pasta (penne, rigatoni, spaghetti)
  • 1 Tbsp Olive oil
  • 2–3 cloves Garlic, finely sliced or minced
  • 9 oz Baby spinach, washed
  • 5 oz Cream cheese
  • 1 oz Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • ¼ tsp Ground nutmeg
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve some cooking water before draining.
  2. Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  3. Add the Spinach: Gradually add the washed baby spinach to the skillet, stirring until it wilts and remains vibrant green, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Make the Cream Sauce: Stir in the cream cheese, adding about 1/3 cup of reserved pasta water. Mix until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
  5. Mix in Cheese and Nutmeg: Add the grated parmesan cheese and ground nutmeg to the sauce. If needed, adjust the consistency with additional cooking water to achieve your desired creaminess.
  6. Toss the Pasta: Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to ensure every piece is coated in the delicious spinach sauce.
  7. Serve the Dish: Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra parmesan and black pepper to taste.

Notes

Use high-quality parmesan cheese for the best flavor; freshly grated cheese melts better. Don’t overcook the spinach; it should retain its bright color and nutrients.

  • Author: jayne
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 44g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 15g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: pasta, spinach sauce, creamy pasta, vegetarian pasta