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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta with Spinach

creamy garlic parmesan pasta with spinach - featured image
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A quick and easy creamy garlic parmesan pasta with fresh spinach, perfect for cozy dinners and packed with rich, comforting flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) pasta (fettuccine, linguine, or penne)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for sautéing spinach)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) of pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. While pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and sauté gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden but not browned.
  3. Add 2 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach to the skillet. Stir and cook until just wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil if the pan looks dry.
  4. Pour 1 cup heavy cream into the skillet with garlic and spinach. Bring to a low simmer, stirring occasionally, and let thicken gently for 3-4 minutes.
  5. Lower the heat and gradually stir in 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Avoid boiling once cheese is added.
  6. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of pasta water. Add pasta to the skillet with the sauce and toss together, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.
  7. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Toss once more and remove from heat.
  8. Serve immediately, optionally sprinkling extra Parmesan on top.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Avoid burning garlic by sautéing gently over medium heat. For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt (add off heat). Gluten-free pasta can be used as a substitute. Frozen spinach can be used if thawed and excess water squeezed out.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan pasta, spinach pasta, easy pasta recipe, comfort food, quick dinner, homemade pasta sauce

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/creamy-garlic-parmesan-pasta-with-spinach-easy-homemade-recipe-for-savory-comfort/