Looking for a delicious and easy pasta recipe that will impress your family and friends? Look no further than this easy creamy spinach pasta recipe. With a perfect balance of heat and creaminess, this dish is sure to become a new favorite in your household.
Easy Creamy Spinach Pasta Recipe
Creamy spinach pasta is perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a fun weekend dinner party. It's easy to prepare, uses readily available ingredients, and offers a flavor profile that caters to both those who crave a touch of spice and those who prefer a milder taste.
Why This Recipe is a Must-Try
Quick and Easy to Make: One of the best things about this recipe is how quick and easy it is to make. With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in no time. This makes it perfect for busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.
Versatile and Customizable: This recipe is also very versatile and can be customized to your liking. If you prefer a milder spice level, you can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes used. You can also add in other ingredients such as chicken or shrimp to make it a heartier meal. The possibilities are endless with this recipe.
Healthy and Nutritious: This recipe is delicious and packed with nutrients. Spinach is a great source of vitamins and minerals, and the creamy tomato sauce adds lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.
If you want to try more creamy and delicious meals, you'd love my:
- One pot Creamy Mushroom Pasta With Chicken recipe
- Delish Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe
- Creamy Jerk Chicken Jamaican Rasta Pasta
- One Pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Ingredients for Creamy Spinach Pasta
- Pasta: This is the main base of the dish. You can use spaghetti or fettuccine.
- Olive oil: Use this to fry the onion and garlic. This adds flavor and helps to create the sauce.
- Onion (chopped): It makes the sauce taste good and goes well with the other things in the dish.
- Garlic (minced): Enhances the overall taste of the dish
- Fresh spinach: This is perfect for that pop of color and freshness.
- Heavy cream: Creates a creamy sauce that coats the pasta.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a rich, cheesy flavor to the sauce.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients and balances the dish.
- Black pepper: Adds a hint of warmth and depth to the flavors.
- Red pepper flakes: Offers optional spiciness for those who enjoy a bit of heat.
- Freshly grated Parmesan: for garnish
How to make Creamy Spinach Pasta
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
- Meanwhile, sauté onion in olive oil until translucent, then add garlic and spinach.
- Lower the heat and add heavy cream, Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Stir until the cheese is melted.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet and stir until coated with the sauce.
- Add reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Serve with grated Parmesan on top.
Tips to note while cooking Creamy Spinach Pasta
- Cook the pasta until it is al dente, meaning it should be cooked but still have a slight bite to it. Avoid overcooking the pasta, as it can become mushy when combined with sauce.
- To create a flavorful base for the sauce, fry chopped onions and minced garlic in olive oil until they turn golden.
- Use freshly grated parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
- For an extra kick of heat, add more red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, add more heavy cream or pasta water.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth in the recipe.
Serving Suggestions
What food goes well with creamed spinach?
- Garlic Bread: Pair your creamy pasta with some garlic bread or toasted bread slices. It's perfect for soaking up and scooping the creamy sauce.
- Salad: Serve the pasta with a simple side salad, such as a mix of fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette. The salad adds a refreshing contrast to the creamy pasta.
- Grilled Chicken: If you're looking for some protein, consider adding grilled or baked chicken on the side. The chicken's flavors will complement the creamy sauce nicely.
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted veggies like cherry tomatoes or bell peppers make a colorful and tasty side dish that pairs well with creamy pasta.
- If you're into wine, consider a light to complement the creamy flavors. Vermentino or Sauvignon Blanc are great examples, especially if you are in a celebration mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any type of pasta?
Definitely. You can use any type of pasta you prefer.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream?
Using milk might result in a thinner sauce and a slightly different flavor, but it's possible. Just keep in mind that heavy cream contributes to the richness and creaminess of the dish.
How can I make this dish healthier?
You can make the dish healthier by using whole wheat pasta, reducing the amount of cheese or opting for a lighter cheese, and using less cream or substituting it with a lower-fat alternative.
Can I omit the red pepper flakes and get a full tasty experience if I don't like spicy food?
Absolutely, the red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted if you prefer a milder flavor.
Leftovers?
You can store creamy spinach pasta as leftovers for later, but be sure to keep food safety in mind. If you're uncertain about the condition of the leftovers, use your discretion to decide whether or not you want to consume it.
Refrigerate: Let the pasta cool down a bit before putting it in the refrigerator. Hot food can raise the temperature inside the fridge and potentially affect other items. Leftovers can generally be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days. Consider adding a bit of milk or cream to the dish to restore its creaminess.
Reheating: When you're ready to enjoy the leftovers, you can reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop. If the sauce thickens in the fridge, you can add a bit of milk or cream while reheating to restore the creaminess.
Other creamy and delicious recipes to try
- Easy Tuscan Salmon with Creamy Sauce
- Simple and Creamy Polenta Recipe
- Classic Creamy Risotto Recipe
- Creamy Mushroom Chicken Recipe
- One Pot Creamy Chicken Alfredo Recipe
Creamy Spinach Pasta
Equipment
- Large Pot To boil the pasta.
- Frying Pan To fry the onions, garlic, and spinach, and to make the creamy sauce.
- Wooden spoon or spatula To stir and mix the ingredients in the pan.
- Measuring cups and spoons To accurately measure the ingredients.
- Knife and Cutting Board For chopping onions, garlic, and spinach.
- Grater To grate the Parmesan cheese, if using a block of cheese.
- Plates or Bowls For serving the finished dish
Ingredients
- 400 grams pasta spaghetti or fettuccine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups fresh spinach chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes if you want some heat
- Freshly grated Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion to the skillet, sautéing until it becomes translucent.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for another minute until the garlic becomes aromatic.
- Add the chopped spinach to the skillet, cooking until it wilts.
- Lower the heat and add the heavy cream, grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir until all the ingredients are well combined and the cheese is melted.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, stirring to ensure that the pasta is fully covered with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Serve the pasta in individual dishes, garnishing with additional freshly grated Parmesan. Enjoy your Creamy Spinach Pasta!
Nutrition
Let’s make our friendship official on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Don’t forget to give me a shout-out with your dish snaps using @cheflolaskitchen on Instagram and Facebook. Can’t wait to see what you’re cooking up! 🍲🥘🌟