This pasta with spinach sauce is a fast, easy, and delicious weeknight meal that the whole family will love. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s creamy, packed with fresh spinach, and perfect for a healthy dinner without the hassle.
If you enjoy quick pasta recipes like cream cheese pasta or white bean pasta, this vibrant spinach sauce will be your new favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in 15 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights
- Creamy and flavorful – no heavy cream required
- Nutrient-packed – loaded with fresh baby spinach
- Flexible – add vegetables, protein, or seafood for variety
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the pasta:
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or spaghetti)
For the spinach sauce:
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, plus extra for serving
- 2–3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced or minced
- 9 oz (250 g) baby spinach, washed
- ¼ tsp fine salt, plus more to taste
- 5 oz (140 g) cream cheese
- 1 oz (30 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (or ⅓ tsp freshly grated)
- Black pepper, to taste
How to Make Pasta with Spinach Sauce
- Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Prepare the sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Wilt the spinach: Add a handful of spinach at a time, season lightly with salt, and stir until wilted. Repeat until all spinach is cooked but still bright green.
- Add creaminess: Stir in cream cheese and ⅓ cup of the reserved pasta water. Mix until smooth.
- Finish the sauce: Add Parmesan and nutmeg, stirring to combine. Adjust the sauce consistency with remaining pasta water if needed.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly.
- Serve: Plate the pasta, drizzle with extra olive oil, season with black pepper, and sprinkle with more Parmesan if desired. Enjoy immediately!
Tips & Variations
- Wilt spinach evenly: Use a wide skillet and add spinach gradually to prevent overcrowding.
- Add vegetables or protein: Cherry tomatoes, peas, grilled chicken, bacon, shrimp, or salmon pair beautifully.
- Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1–2 days. Reheat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
- Flavor boost: A pinch of red pepper flakes or lemon zest can brighten the dish.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 544
- Carbs: 62 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
- Sodium: 567 mg
- Fiber: 4 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Vitamin A: 8,527 IU
- Vitamin C: 24 mg
- Calcium: 259 mg
- Iron: 4 mg
This creamy spinach pasta is simple, healthy, and satisfying — a must-try for quick dinners that taste gourmet!
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