Quick Spinach Pasta
This Quick Spinach Pasta is a delicious and wholesome dish that can be prepared in under 30 minutes, packed with nutrients from fresh spinach.
Equipment
- 1 large pot
- 1 colander
- 1 frying pan
- 1 wooden spoon
- 1 cooking tongs
- 1 measuring cups
- 1 measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta e.g., spaghetti or penne
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 lemon juiced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Add the fresh spinach to the frying pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until wilted, stirring regularly to combine the spinach with the garlic oil.
- Once the spinach is wilted, add the drained pasta to the frying pan. Pour in the reserved pasta water and lemon juice. Toss everything together until well combined.
- Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
You can customize this recipe by adding cooked chicken or shrimp for added protein.
For a vegetarian twist, consider adding nuts such as pine nuts or walnuts for extra crunch.
Adjust the amount of garlic and red pepper flakes based on your spice preferences.