Description
A quick and flavorful pasta dish featuring sautéed garlic and fresh spinach, tossed with your choice of pasta and finished with a touch of Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a nutritious and satisfying meal ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (spaghetti, penne, or your choice)
Vegetables & Seasonings
- 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
For Serving
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté garlic and spices: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for about 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook the spinach: Add the roughly chopped fresh spinach to the skillet. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted and tender.
- Combine pasta and spinach: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the spinach mixture. Pour in the reserved 1/4 cup pasta water to help create a light sauce. Toss everything together thoroughly to combine and heat through.
- Season and serve: Season the pasta with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Serve immediately, topped with grated Parmesan cheese if desired for extra flavor.
Notes
- Feel free to use any type of pasta you prefer, such as spaghetti, penne, or fusilli.
- The red pepper flakes add a gentle heat, but you can omit them for a milder dish.
- Reserving some pasta water helps the sauce cling to the pasta for better flavor.
- You can add a squeeze of lemon juice or some toasted pine nuts for extra brightness and texture.
- For a vegan version, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with a vegan cheese alternative.
