Description
A quick and nutritious pasta dish featuring sautéed fresh spinach and garlic, tossed with your choice of pasta and finished with a touch of Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a healthy weeknight meal ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your choice)
Vegetables & Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 oz fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Finishing
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
- 1/4 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Sauté garlic and red pepper flakes: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes if using, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Cook the spinach: Add the roughly chopped spinach to the skillet. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and tender.
- Combine pasta and spinach mixture: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the spinach mixture. Pour in the reserved pasta water to help create a light sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly to combine and coat the pasta evenly.
- Season and serve: Season the pasta with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese for extra flavor if desired.
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you prefer; penne or spaghetti work well.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be adjusted for spice level.
- Vegetarian but add cheese only if not avoiding dairy.
- Reserve pasta water to help create a silky sauce that clings to the pasta.
- For a vegan option, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
