About
Dinner deserves to be better than bland! It deserves to be something remarkable, something to spark excitement! Something just like the Strong-Personality Spinach Pasta, in fact! It certainly leaves an impression! Bright, leafy spinach, a creamy, tangy cheese sauce, and tender pasta all come together for a bold, inviting, comforting flavor you'll have to taste to believe. It might have a strong personality, but Strong-Personality Spinach Pasta is also speedy to boot, ready in 15 minutes or less! Dinner is never going to be boring again!
Ingredients
- For the pasta:
- 8 ounces pasta, of your choice
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (9-ounce) package baby spinach, washed
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fine salt
- 5 ounces cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Optional, for serving:
- extra-virgin olive oil, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- parmesan cheese, to taste, freshly grated
Directions
Step 1 -In a large pot of salted, boiling water, add the pasta and cook it to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 2 -Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain the pasta, and set the pot aside.
Step 3 -In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
Step 4 -Add the garlic to the hot oil and cook, while stirring, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 5 -Add the spinach to the garlic and season it with the salt.
Step 6 -Cook the spinach, while stirring, until wilted but still bright green, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 7 -Add the cream cheese and 1/3 cup of the pasta water to the spinach mixture and stir to combine until the cream cheese is melted.
Step 8 -Add 4 tablespoons of the parmesan cheese and the nutmeg to the spinach mixture and stir to combine.
Step 9 -Add the pasta to the spinach mixture, tossing to combine.
Step 10 -Use the remaining pasta water to thin the sauce, as needed.
Step 11 -Serve topped with the extra olive oil, the black pepper, and the extra parmesan cheese.
