Half-Cheese Spinach Pasta
Creamy pasta with half the cheese, enhanced by fresh spinach and a perfect balance of herbs. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 35 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup, roughly chopped fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- to taste salt
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/4 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Step 3: Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Step 4: Stir in spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted and reduced in volume.
- Step 5: Add drained spaghetti, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano to skillet.
- Step 6: Toss pasta until cheese melts and sauce coats strands evenly, adding more pasta water if needed to reach creamy consistency, about 2 minutes.
- Step 7: Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Half-Cheese Spinach Pasta take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Half-Cheese Spinach Pasta?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Cheese Spinach Pasta?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Half-Cheese Spinach Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Half-Cheese Spinach Pasta?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
