Pasta with Spinach Sauce Recipe: Creamy Dinner Magic

Pasta with spinach sauce combines vibrant green goodness and comfort in one delightful dish.

Home cooks appreciate this versatile recipe for its simple yet elegant approach to weeknight dining.

Nutritious spinach enhances ordinary pasta into a remarkable meal bursting with flavor and health benefits.

The creamy sauce captures the earthy essence of leafy greens, creating a smooth and luxurious coating for each perfectly cooked noodle.

Mediterranean culinary traditions inspire this delectable preparation, blending fresh ingredients with traditional cooking techniques.

Incredibly quick to assemble, this recipe offers a perfect balance between convenience and gourmet quality.

Hungry diners will find themselves drawn to the rich, velvety texture and bright, verdant appearance.

Pairings That Elevate Pasta with Spinach Sauce to Dinner Status

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Grab a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy, earthy spinach sauce. Its bright acidity cuts through the richness of the cream cheese and Parmesan.
• Match with Fresh Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette on the side. The peppery greens and tangy dressing balance the smooth, mild pasta perfectly.
• Serve with Crusty Garlic Bread: Slice a rustic baguette, brush with olive oil, and toast until golden. The crunchy texture and garlic notes enhance the delicate spinach sauce and provide a satisfying contrast.
• Add Protein Option: Top with grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp for extra protein. The lean meat adds depth without overwhelming the sauce's delicate spinach flavor.

Flavorful Twists to Change Up Pasta with Spinach Sauce Anytime

• Green Power Boost: Replace cream cheese with protein-packed Greek yogurt for a tangy, healthier version that maintains creamy texture while adding extra nutrients.
• Protein-Packed Punch: Add grilled chicken strips or sautéed shrimp to transform the pasta into a complete meal with additional protein and rich flavor.
• Mediterranean Mix: Incorporate sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese to give the pasta a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired profile with salty and bright notes.
• Spicy Herb Kick: Blend in red pepper flakes, fresh basil leaves, and a splash of lemon juice to elevate the sauce with zesty, aromatic dimensions that complement the spinach's earthiness.

Pasta with Spinach Sauce That Feels Like a Hug in a Bowl

• Whip Up Creamy Comfort: This pasta dish delivers a luscious, velvety sauce that wraps tender pasta in a rich, comforting embrace, perfect for those seeking a quick and satisfying meal.
• Transform Spinach into Magic: Witness how ordinary spinach transforms into a vibrant, silky sauce that packs a nutritional punch while maintaining a gorgeous green color and fresh flavor.
• Master Effortless Gourmet Cooking: Create a restaurant-quality meal in just 15 minutes with simple techniques that make you feel like a professional chef, using minimal ingredients and one-pan convenience.

Green Goodness in Every Bite of Pasta with Spinach Sauce

• Pasta: Classic choice for creamy spinach sauce, choose short shapes like penne or fusilli for better sauce coverage.

• Baby Spinach, Cream Cheese: Fresh spinach provides vibrant green color and nutrients, while cream cheese creates rich and smooth sauce texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty flavor and helps thicken the sauce with its natural texture.

• Garlic: Provides deep, pungent base flavor for the sauce, use fresh cloves for best taste.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté garlic and creates smooth foundation for sauce, extra virgin type adds rich flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Nutmeg: Essential seasonings that enhance overall taste profile, freshly ground versions recommended.

How to Toss Together Pasta with Spinach Sauce Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare Pasta

Boil water in a large pot. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until perfectly tender. Before draining, scoop out pasta water and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Base

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 3: Wilt Vibrant Spinach

• Fresh spinach leaves
• Pinch of salt

Stir gently until leaves collapse and turn bright emerald green, maintaining their lively color.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Cream cheese
• Reserved pasta water

Stir until silky smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 5: Enhance Sauce Flavor

• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Nutmeg

Adjust sauce consistency by adding extra pasta water if needed.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Transfer drained pasta into skillet. Toss thoroughly until every strand is beautifully coated.

Step 7: Serve and Garnish

• Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Additional Parmesan cheese

Savor your delightful creation!

Easy Tips to Keep Pasta with Spinach Sauce Creamy and Bright

• Prevent Garlic Burning: Cook garlic on medium heat and stir constantly to release flavor without turning bitter or brown.
• Preserve Spinach Color: Add spinach in batches and cook briefly to maintain its vibrant green color and nutrients.
• Create Silky Sauce: Gradually add reserved pasta water to help cream cheese melt smoothly and create a velvety sauce consistency.
• Control Sauce Thickness: Add pasta water incrementally to adjust sauce texture, ensuring it coats pasta perfectly without being too runny or thick.
• Enhance Final Flavor: Finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the dish's overall taste profile.

Storing Pasta with Spinach Sauce Without Losing the Lush Texture

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Avoid leaving the dish at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or milk to restore moisture and prevent sauce from drying out. Stir frequently to ensure even heating and maintain creamy texture.
• Freeze: For best quality, freeze pasta without cream cheese for up to 1 month in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat carefully to prevent sauce separation.

Pasta with Spinach Sauce Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

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

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Description

Creamy spinach pasta brings Italian comfort right to your kitchen. Mediterranean flavors mingle deliciously with silky sauce, inviting you to savor each delightful forkful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 8 ounces (225 grams) pasta (penne, rigatoni, spaghetti, etc.)

Spinach Sauce Ingredients:

• 5 ounces (140 grams) cream cheese
• 1 ounce (30 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 9 ounces (250 grams) baby spinach

Seasoning and Oils:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil or extra virgin olive oil, plus more to serve
• 2–3 garlic cloves, finely sliced or minced
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt, plus more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, or ⅓ of freshly grated nutmeg, or according to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil, preparing to cook the pasta until it reaches a tender yet firm consistency.
2. Submerge the pasta in the boiling water, cooking according to package instructions. Carefully extract and reserve a portion of the starchy cooking liquid before draining.
3. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, creating a fragrant base for the sauce.
4. Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, gently sautéing until it releases its aromatic essence without scorching.
5. Gradually incorporate baby spinach into the skillet, seasoning with salt and gently wilting each batch. Ensure the leaves maintain their vibrant green color and delicate texture.
6. Blend cream cheese into the wilted spinach, incorporating reserved pasta water to create a smooth, creamy consistency.
7. Enrich the sauce with grated Parmesan and a whisper of nutmeg, stirring thoroughly to marry the flavors. Adjust the sauce’s thickness by introducing additional pasta water if needed.
8. Transfer the perfectly cooked pasta into the spinach-laden skillet, delicately tossing to ensure each strand is generously coated with the verdant sauce.
9. Present the dish immediately, embellishing with a delicate drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, and an additional dusting of Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• Quick and creamy sauce transforms simple pasta into a luxurious meal in just 15 minutes.
• Reserved pasta water is the secret weapon for creating a silky, perfectly textured sauce.
• Wilting spinach quickly preserves its vibrant green color and maintains maximum nutritional benefits.
• Cream cheese adds rich, smooth consistency while Parmesan brings depth and salty complexity.
• Adjusting sauce consistency with pasta water ensures ideal coating and prevents dryness.
• Fresh cracked black pepper and extra virgin olive oil elevate the final dish with bright, zesty notes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 16 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg