Sautéed Garlic Spinach with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

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 drafted and published.

A simple Whole30-compliant side of tender sautéed spinach enhanced with fragrant garlic and crunchy toasted pumpkin seeds for texture. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe (whole30, gluten free), ready in about 15 minutes, pairs fresh spinach leaves, olive oil, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 110 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds and toast, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove seeds and set aside.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium-low heat for 2 minutes until garlic is fragrant and just starting to turn golden—be careful not to burn.
  3. Step 3: Add 10 oz fresh spinach leaves to the skillet and toss with the garlic oil. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the spinach is wilted but still bright green.
  4. Step 4: Season with 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp finely grated lemon zest. Stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat, sprinkle the toasted pumpkin seeds over the top, and serve warm as a nutritious side.

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