Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces of pasta (spaghetti or penne)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 4 cups of fresh spinach
- 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add the fresh spinach and red pepper flakes to the skillet, and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the spinach and garlic. Toss to combine.
- If the pasta seems dry, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- For a creamier sauce, add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of ricotta cheese.
- You can substitute other greens like kale or arugula if preferred.
- To make this dish vegetarian, omit the Parmesan cheese or use a vegetarian alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 grams
- Sodium: 200 milligrams
- Fat: 12 grams
- Saturated Fat: 2 grams
- Carbohydrates: 50 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Protein: 12 grams
- Cholesterol: 5 milligrams