Garlic Spinach & Cream Pasta
A rich and creamy pasta dish with tender spinach, garlic, and a touch of Parmesan for a cheesy finish. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs spaghetti, fresh spinach, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 8 oz fresh spinach
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: Melt 3 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant — do not let it brown.
- Step 3: Add 8 oz fresh spinach, tossing to coat. Cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted and slightly softened.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and stir until warmed through. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Fold in cooked pasta, adding 1/2 cup pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Step 6: Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and a sprinkle of black pepper.








