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Unveiling the Ultimate Weeknight Hero: Your New Favorite Pasta with Spinach Sauce

Unveiling the Ultimate Weeknight Hero: Your New Favorite Pasta with Spinach Sauce
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This Pasta with Spinach Sauce is a quick, comforting, and wholesome weeknight meal that comes together in under 15 minutes. It’s creamy, garlicky, and packed with fresh spinach for a nutritious twist on classic pasta. Perfect for busy evenings when you want something delicious and satisfying without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta:

  • 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, spaghetti, or your favorite type)

Spinach Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or extra virgin olive oil), plus more for serving

  • 2–3 garlic cloves, finely sliced or minced

  • 9 oz (250 g) baby spinach, washed

  • ¼ teaspoon 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 teaspoon ground nutmeg (or freshly grated nutmeg, to taste)

  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
Before draining, reserve ½ cup of pasta cooking water and set aside.

2. Make the Spinach Sauce

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant (do not brown).

Add spinach a handful at a time, seasoning with salt and stirring until wilted and bright green.

3. Add the Creaminess

Stir in the cream cheese and about ⅓ cup of the reserved pasta water. Mix until smooth and creamy.
Add Parmesan cheese and nutmeg, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.
If needed, add a little more pasta water to loosen the sauce.

4. Combine and Serve

Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat in the sauce.
Serve immediately with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, black pepper, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy your creamy green pasta masterpiece!

Notes

  • Don’t skip the pasta water: It helps the sauce cling perfectly to the pasta and creates that silky texture.

  • Want extra veggies? Add sautéed mushrooms, peas, or zucchini for more flavor and nutrients.

  • Lighter option: Replace cream cheese with ricotta or Greek yogurt for a lighter but still creamy version.

  • Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water.

Find it online: https://biteseason.com/unveiling-the-ultimate-weeknight-hero-your-new-favorite-pasta-with-spinach-sauce/