Sauteed Garlic Spinach with Toasted Pine Nuts

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

Bright, tender spinach leaves quickly sautéed with fragrant garlic and topped with crunchy toasted pine nuts for a simple, elegant side. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian ready in about 13 minutes pairs washed and dried fresh spinach, olive oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 130 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: 8 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 130 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1/4 cup pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and just starting to turn golden.
  3. Step 3: Add 10 oz fresh spinach, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Toss continuously with tongs for 2-3 minutes until spinach is wilted but still bright green.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest and the toasted pine nuts over the spinach. Serve immediately.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 13 minutes (5 min prep + 8 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 Sauteed Garlic 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sauteed Garlic 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 Sauteed Garlic 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.

What goes well with Sauteed Garlic Spinach with Toasted Pine Nuts?

Mediterranean vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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