Description
A vibrant and zesty pasta dish featuring fresh spinach, garlic, and lemon, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- Pasta (spaghetti or linguine)
- Fresh Spinach (baby spinach or kale)
- Garlic (fresh, minced)
- Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
- Red Pepper Flakes (to taste)
- Olive Oil (extra virgin)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
- Parmesan Cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook your pasta until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
- Sauté the Garlic: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat, add garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the Spinach: Toss in fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in the Pasta: Transfer the cooked pasta into the skillet, bringing reserved pasta water along with it.
- Add Flavor Boosts: Squeeze in lemon juice and add a splash of reserved pasta water, tossing everything together.
- Season: Add red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Finish with Parmesan: If using, add Parmesan cheese and stir until melted smoothly into the pasta.
- Serve Hot: Plate your pasta and garnish with lemon zest and olive oil if desired.
Notes
For a heartier meal, consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp. You can also use nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan for a vegan option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: lemon pasta, spinach pasta, vegetarian pasta, easy pasta recipes, Italian cuisine