One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan
A quick, easy pasta dish where tender noodles are cooked in a garlic butter broth with fresh spinach and finished with Parmesan cheese for a simple, comforting meal. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs spaghetti, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large deep skillet or saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and golden but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 8 oz dry spaghetti noodles broken in half and 3 cups low sodium chicken broth to the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender and most of the broth is absorbed.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 cups fresh baby spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes if using.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 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 One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan?
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 One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan?
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 One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan 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 One-Pot Garlic Butter Pasta with Spinach and Parmesan 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.
