Easy Pasta with Sautéed Spinach and Garlic Recipe– a quick and easy weeknight dinner with only a few ingredients. This Spinach Pasta is tossed in a garlicky olive oil sauce and flavored with lemon, red pepper flakes, basil, and plenty of parmigiano cheese.

This will become a family-favorite pasta recipe! Serve with breaded chicken recipe or your favorite pasta side dishes.

Simple Ingredients

With a few fresh ingredients and pantry staples, you will create a delicious and simple pasta dish that you will come back to time and time again. Yes, this simple pasta dish is that good.

• Spaghetti or bucatini, any long pasta of choice will work
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Garlic cloves
• Fresh baby spinach
• Red pepper flakes
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Fresh basil
• Salt and Pepper to taste 
• Reserved pasta cooking water 
• Parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan cheese), plus more for serving  
• Optional: season with homemade toasted breadcrumbs or toasted pine nuts 

See the recipe card for quantities.

What Kind of Pasta for Spinach Pasta Recipe

For this Spinach Pasta Recipe, you can use a variety of pasta shapes, depending on your preference. Here are some popular pasta shapes that work well with spinach:

• Linguine: Linguine is a long, thin pasta that pairs well with spinach.
• Penne: Penne is a tube-shaped pasta that’s great for holding sauces. It’s a good option for more texture.
• Farfalle: Farfalle, also known as bowtie pasta, is a fun and whimsical shape that adds visual interest to the dish.
• Fusilli: Fusilli is a spiral-shaped pasta that works well with spinach.
• Spaghetti: Spaghetti is a classic pasta shape that pairs well with spinach. It’s a good option for a fun pasta to twirl with a fork.
• Rotini: Rotini is a corkscrew-shaped pasta that’s great for holding sauce. It’s a good option for fun pasta with more texture.

Ultimately, the pasta shape comes down to personal preference, so feel free to experiment and try different shapes to find the one you like best. I suggest using high-quality pasta for the best results.

How to Make Easy Pasta with Sautéed Spinach and Garlic Recipe (Step-by-Step Photos)

This pasta dish is so easy to make. You will love it!

Substitution for Spinach

Although spinach is the star of the show in this recipe, you can use other greens. Here are some good options for you to try:

• Kale: Kale is a leafy green with a similar texture and taste profile to spinach. It’s slightly tougher than spinach, so you may need to cook it a little longer to soften it. Like spinach, kale is also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
• Swiss Chard: Swiss chard is another leafy green that can be used as a substitute for spinach. It has a similar earthy flavor and is slightly sweeter than spinach. You can use the leaves and stems of Swiss chard in your pasta dish; make sure to remove the tough stems before cooking.
• Arugula: If you’re looking for a peppery and slightly bitter taste, arugula is a good substitute for spinach. It’s a leafy green with a distinct flavor and can add a unique taste to your pasta dish.
• Broccoli Rabe: Broccoli Rabe is a vegetable that has a slightly bitter and nutty flavor. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a substitute for spinach with a more pronounced taste. Make sure to blanch the broccoli rabe before adding it to your pasta dish to remove some bitterness.
• Collard Greens: Collard greens are another leafy green that can be used as a substitute for spinach. They have a slightly tougher texture than spinach, so you may need to cook them longer. Collard greens have a slightly bitter and earthy flavor that can complement your pasta dish.

Variations

The Pasta with Sautéed Spinach and Garlic Recipe is a classic, but there are many variations you can try to mix things up and add your own twist to the dish. Here are a few ideas:

• Add protein: You can add protein to the dish by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or even tofu. This will make the dish more filling and add an extra layer of flavor.
• Use different types of pasta: Instead of using traditional pasta, try using a different type of pasta like penne, angel hair, linguine, or fettuccine. You can also try using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to make the dish healthier.
• Add veggies: In addition to spinach, you can add other veggies like roasted cherry tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, or grilled zucchini. This will add more nutrients and flavors to the dish.
• Use different herbs: You can try using different herbs like parsley, oregano, or thyme to add more flavor.
• Make it creamy: You can make the dish creamy by adding a splash of heavy cream or a bit of cream cheese. This will make the dish richer and add a velvety texture to the spinach sauce.
• Add nuts: You can add some crunch to the dish by adding toasted pine nuts or chopped almonds. This will add a nutty flavor and texture to the dish.
• Spicy variation: If you like spice, add a variety of chili peppers to the oil before adding the spinach. This will add a kick of heat and complement the garlic and spinach flavors.

Storage

Store leftover garlic pasta with spinach in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat quickly on the stovetop over medium heat, adding more olive oil or a splash of water as necessary to prevent it from drying out.

FAQs

More easy pasta recipes

• Creamy Truffle Pasta
• Classic Carbonara
• Fried Zucchini Pasta
• Malloreddus alla Campidanese
• Cheesy Rotini Pasta

More Recipes

Looking for other recipes to try? Here are a few:

What to Serve with Easy Pasta with Sautéed Spinach and Garlic Recipe

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Easy Pasta with Sautéed Spinach and Garlic Recipe:

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