Creamy Spinach Pasta with Garlic (Printable)
Tender pasta envelopes fresh spinach in a rich, velvety garlic cream sauce. This comforting Italian-inspired dish comes together in just 30 minutes.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine
→ Vegetables
02 - 7 oz fresh baby spinach, washed
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce
05 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp heavy cream
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
10 - Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving
11 - Freshly cracked black pepper
# How To Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until translucent.
03 - Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in the spinach and cook for 2–3 minutes until wilted.
05 - Pour in the heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer, and add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. Add nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
06 - Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen.
07 - Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan and freshly cracked black pepper.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in the time it takes to boil water making it a lifesaver after a long day.
- The sauce is impossibly rich yet uses ingredients you probably already have in your fridge.
02 -
- Do not let the cream come to a rolling boil or it might separate and ruin the texture.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining because it is liquid gold for binding the sauce.
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre grated bags for a smoother sauce.
- Add the spinach in batches if your pan is small so it cooks evenly.