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Easy Creamy Spinach Pasta

A close-up shot of penne pasta tossed in a vibrant creamy spinach sauce and topped with grated Parmesan cheese, showcasing the creamy spinach pasta.
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Make this rich and smooth creamy spinach pasta for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This recipe uses simple ingredients for a comforting flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or penne work well)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Add the chopped sun dried tomatoes, if using, and cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet in batches, stirring until it wilts down completely. This will take about 3 to 4 minutes.
  5. Pour in the heavy cream and broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  6. Reduce the heat to low. Add the cream cheese cubes and stir constantly until the cream cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.
  7. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until fully incorporated. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
  9. Serve immediately with extra grated Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian option, always use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • If you want a richer flavor, substitute half of the heavy cream with half-and-half.
  • To make this a one pot creamy spinach pasta, cook the pasta directly in the sauce mixture, adding extra broth as needed during the cooking process.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/creamy-spinach-pasta-recipe/