Sautéed Spinach and Pine Nut Pasta
A light, vibrant pasta dish with wilted spinach, toasted pine nuts, and Parmesan, ready in 15 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 20 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups, fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup, toasted pine nuts
- 1/4 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook 8 oz spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Step 3: Add 4 cups fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until wilted.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, tossing to coat. Stir in 1/4 cup grated Parmesan and 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts, seasoning with salt and pepper.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Spinach and Pine Nut Pasta 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 Sautéed Spinach and Pine Nut Pasta?
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 Sautéed Spinach and Pine Nut Pasta?
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 Spinach and Pine Nut Pasta for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Spinach and Pine Nut Pasta 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
