Sautéed Garlicky Spinach with Toasted Pine Nuts
Fresh spinach quickly wilted with garlic and finished with crunchy toasted pine nuts for a flavorful side dish. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian ready in about 15 minutes pairs fresh baby spinach, extra virgin 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 140 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
- 10 oz fresh baby spinach
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup pine nuts and toast, stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Remove pine nuts and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn.
- Step 3: Add 10 oz fresh baby spinach to the skillet and toss with the garlic and olive oil. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the spinach is fully wilted but still vibrant green.
- Step 4: Season the spinach with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then drizzle with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Toss to combine.
- Step 5: Transfer spinach to a serving dish and sprinkle the toasted pine nuts on top for a crunchy finish. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlicky Spinach with Toasted Pine Nuts take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 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 Garlicky 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 Garlicky 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 Garlicky 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 Sautéed Garlicky 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.
