Description
Creamy spinach pasta is a rich and comforting dish. It consists of fettuccine tossed in a velvety Parmesan cream sauce and tender wilted spinach. It’s quick to prepare, flavorful, and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
8 oz (225 g) fettuccine or preferred pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups half-and-half (or heavy cream)
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
5 oz (140 g) fresh spinach
Salt and pepper, to taste
Reserved pasta water (as needed)
Optional: red pepper flakes, nutmeg, lemon zest
Instructions
Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Whisk in flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
Slowly pour in the half-and-half, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens.
Stir in grated Parmesan and let melt completely.
Add fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes.
Toss in the drained pasta and mix well. Use reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and black pepper on top.
Notes
Frozen spinach can be used, but it must be thawed and drained well.
Add grilled chicken, mushrooms, or shrimp for a protein boost.
For a vegan version, use oat milk, vegan butter, and nutritional yeast.
Avoid boiling the sauce to prevent curdling.
Freshly grated Parmesan yields a smoother sauce than pre-shredded.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired
Keywords: creamy spinach pasta, easy pasta recipe, vegetarian pasta, comfort food, pasta with cream sauce, spinach recipes, garlic parmesan pasta, weeknight dinner