Sautéed Garlic Lemon Spinach with Toasted Pine Nuts

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Bright and tender spinach quickly sautéed with garlic and finished with toasted pine nuts and a splash of fresh lemon juice. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 12 minutes pairs fresh baby spinach, extra virgin olive oil, garlic cloves, thinly sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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: 7 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 120 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and golden, taking care not to burn.
  2. Step 2: Add 1/4 cup pine nuts to the skillet and toast them with the garlic for 2-3 minutes, stirring often until golden and aromatic.
  3. Step 3: Increase heat to medium-high and add 10 oz fresh baby spinach in batches, stirring and allowing each batch to wilt slightly before adding more. Cook for 3-4 minutes until all spinach is wilted but still bright green.
  4. Step 4: Remove skillet from heat and immediately stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss to combine and serve warm as a vibrant side.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Lemon Spinach with Toasted Pine Nuts take to make?

Total time is about 12 minutes (5 min prep + 7 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 Sautéed Garlic Lemon Spinach with Toasted Pine Nuts?

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 fresh baby spinach from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Lemon Spinach with Toasted Pine Nuts?

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 Sautéed Garlic Lemon Spinach with Toasted Pine Nuts 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 Sautéed Garlic Lemon Spinach with Toasted Pine Nuts 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.

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