Three-Cheese Spinach Pasta with Crispy Garlic
Creamy pasta with wilted spinach and three cheeses, topped with golden garlic crisps for irresistible crunch in every bite. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs pasta, fresh spinach, low-moisture mozzarella for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 8 oz pasta
- 4 oz fresh spinach
- 1 cup low-moisture mozzarella
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 4 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic slices and cook slowly for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy, turning once. Transfer garlic to a paper towel to drain.
- Step 3: Add spinach to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes until wilted. Stir in ricotta, mozzarella, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan until melted and smooth.
- Step 4: Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat, adding 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to create a creamy sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Step 5: Season with salt and black pepper, then toss in 1/4 cup additional grated parmesan. Serve immediately topped with crispy garlic slices.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Three-Cheese Spinach Pasta with Crispy Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Three-Cheese Spinach Pasta with Crispy Garlic?
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 pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Three-Cheese Spinach Pasta with Crispy Garlic?
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 Three-Cheese Spinach Pasta with Crispy Garlic 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 Three-Cheese Spinach Pasta with Crispy Garlic?
Italian pasta 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
