Quick One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta with Spinach
A vibrant and speedy pasta dish featuring fresh spinach and bright lemon garlic sauce, perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced 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.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 5 cups packed fresh spinach
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 5: Serve immediately garnished with additional lemon zest or Parmesan if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta 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 Quick One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta 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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta 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 Quick One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta 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 Quick One-Pan Lemon Garlic Pasta 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.
