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A dish of creamy spinach pasta garnished with fresh herbs.

Weeknight Wonder Creamy Spinach Pasta

This creamy spinach pasta is a quick and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights, combining tender pasta with a rich and flavorful spinach cream sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 oz short pasta (penne, rotini, farfalle)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2-3 garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
  • 5-6 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or chicken broth
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet or deep pan
  • Ladle

Method
 

Cooking Instructions
  1. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add chopped spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
  4. Pour in heavy cream and broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  5. Reduce heat to low, stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth, then season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
  6. Add drained pasta to the sauce in the skillet and toss to coat; add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
  7. Serve in bowls, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese.

Notes

For an extra boost of flavor, you can add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end. Feel free to add cooked chicken or shrimp for a more substantial meal.