One-Pan Garlic Spinach Pasta

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-20 · Updated 2026-04-20

A simple weeknight dinner featuring tender spaghetti tossed in a savory garlic and spinach sauce with Parmesan cheese. Ready in 30 minutes with minimal cleanup. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, 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
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. 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.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant — do not let garlic brown.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups chopped spinach to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until wilted and reduced in volume.
4. Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to the skillet along with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Toss vigorously for 1 minute until cheese melts and sauce coats strands evenly, adding more pasta water if too dry.
5. Step 5: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, then serve immediately.