Quick One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta with Spinach

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A vibrant and speedy pasta dish featuring fresh spinach and bright lemon garlic sauce, perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs spaghetti, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 390 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large deep skillet or sauté pan, heat 3 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  2. Step 2: Add 8 oz uncooked spaghetti broken in half, and pour in 3 cups vegetable broth along with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for about 9-10 minutes until pasta is al dente and most liquid is absorbed.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 5 cups packed fresh spinach, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp lemon juice; cook for 2 minutes until spinach wilts.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and mix in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper as needed.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately garnished with additional lemon zest or Parmesan if desired.

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