Description
A delightful and creamy pasta dish featuring a velvety spinach sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8oz (225 grams) pasta (penne, rigatoni, spaghetti)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (or extra virgin olive oil), plus more to serve
- 2–3 garlic cloves, finely sliced or minced
- 9oz (250 grams) baby spinach, washed
- ¼ tsp fine salt, plus more to taste
- 5oz (140 grams) cream cheese
- 1oz (30 grams) freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, or ⅓ of freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Begin by cooking your pasta until it reaches al dente, following the directions on the package.
- Before draining, reserve at least 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set it aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the garlic and sauté for about 1 to 2 minutes until it becomes fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.
- Gradually add part of the spinach, seasoning it with salt. Stir until each handful wilts before adding the next.
- Once the spinach is wilted but still vibrant green, incorporate the cream cheese and 1/3 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water.
- Add the grated parmesan cheese and nutmeg to the sauce, stirring until smooth. The sauce will come together in just a couple of minutes.
- Drain the pasta and transfer it to the skillet. Toss everything together to combine well.
- Serve immediately with an extra drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of black pepper, and additional freshly grated parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding fresh herbs or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for easy incorporation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pasta, spinach, creamy, quick dinner, comfort food, vegetarian
