Mediterranean Spinach and Feta Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-23 · Updated 2026-03-23

A simple, flavorful dish with fresh spinach, feta cheese, and garlic in a drizzle of olive oil. This mediterranean-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs pasta, spinach, feta cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

★ 4.5 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving

Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

1 lb pasta
2 cups spinach
1/2 cup feta cheese
2 cloves garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 lb pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water. Tip: Add salt to the boiling water to enhance the pasta’s flavor.
Step 2: In a large non-stick skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 2 minced cloves garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant and golden. Tip: Cook garlic slowly to avoid burning it.
Step 3: Add 2 cups spinach to the skillet, stirring frequently until it wilts and collapses, about 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir in 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the cheese softens and begins to melt. Tip: Avoid overcooking spinach—it will become mushy.
Step 4: Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat with the oil-garlic-spinach mixture. If the pasta seems dry, stir in 1-2 tbsp reserved pasta water to create a loose sauce. Tip: Pasta water contains starch, which helps thicken the sauce.
Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice, mixing until the sauce becomes glossy and coats the pasta evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Tip: Lemon juice adds brightness—add it at the end to preserve its flavor.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Mediterranean Spinach and Feta Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Mediterranean Spinach and Feta Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic?

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 pasta from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Mediterranean Spinach and Feta Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic?

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 Mediterranean Spinach and Feta Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic 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.

Is Mediterranean Spinach and Feta Pasta with Olive Oil and Garlic vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.