Sautéed Spinach with Garlic and Red Chili Flakes
Quick and vibrant sautéed spinach infused with garlic and a touch of heat from red chili flakes, perfect as a healthy side dish. This Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 12 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 70 calories and feeds 3, 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 spinach leaves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon zest
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Equipment for this recipe
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Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until garlic is golden and fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 10 oz fresh spinach leaves in batches, stirring continuously until all leaves are wilted, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 3: Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, stirring to combine.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tsp lemon zest over the spinach to add a fresh aromatic brightness before serving immediately.
