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Quick Creamy Parmesan Spinach Pasta

Close-up of creamy spinach pasta tossed in a rich sauce and topped with grated Parmesan cheese.
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Make this rich and satisfying creamy Parmesan spinach pasta in under 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz pasta (fettuccine or penne)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 5 oz fresh spinach
  • 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 starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic brown.
  3. Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low.
  4. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Add the salt and pepper.
  5. Add the fresh spinach to the sauce. Stir until the spinach wilts completely, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  6. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
  7. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one splash at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese instead of pre-shredded.
  • If you prefer a tomato element, add 1/2 cup of sun-dried tomato pesto to the sauce when you add the cream.
  • You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be slightly thinner.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://sundayflavor.com/creamy-parmesan-spinach-pasta/