One-Pot Garlic Butter Penne with Spinach
A straightforward pasta dish with tender penne enveloped in a rich garlic butter sauce, brightened by fresh spinach leaves. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs penne pasta, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced 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.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large deep skillet or pot, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Pour in 4 cups water and 12 oz penne pasta, stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and water has mostly absorbed.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 cups fresh spinach leaves, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and mix in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy, coating the pasta evenly. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Garlic Butter Penne with Spinach 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 Penne with Spinach?
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 penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Garlic Butter Penne with Spinach?
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 Penne with Spinach 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 Penne with Spinach 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.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
