Creamy Garlic Spinach Pasta

$- 300g pasta (fettuccine or linguine works well) - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 200g fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped - 1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for a dairy-free option - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan option) - Salt and pepper to taste - Pinch of nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat) - Fresh basil leaves for garnish I love how simple yet delicious this dish is. The garlic adds a rich flavor. Spinach gives a nice color and healthy touch. Cream makes it all creamy and smooth. Parmesan cheese melts perfectly into the sauce, giving it a savory kick. I recommend using fettuccine or linguine for this dish. They hold the sauce well. You can also try penne or farfalle if you like. Just make sure to cook them until al dente. This way, they stay firm and tasty. If you want a dairy-free option, coconut cream works great. It keeps the richness while being vegan. For a gluten-free meal, use gluten-free pasta. Nutritional yeast is a fantastic choice instead of Parmesan for vegans. These substitutions keep the dish flavorful while meeting dietary needs. Start by boiling salted water in a large pot. Add 300 grams of pasta, like fettuccine or linguine. Cook it according to package instructions until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta but save about half a cup of the water. Set the pasta aside for now. In a big skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes until it smells great. Be careful not to let it burn. Next, add 200 grams of chopped spinach. Cook it for 3-4 minutes while stirring often. The spinach will wilt and shrink down in size. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream or coconut cream if you prefer dairy-free. Stir it well to mix with the garlic and spinach. Let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes. After that, add in 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy and smooth. Now it's time to add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce looks too thick, add a small amount of the reserved pasta water. Keep mixing until you reach the perfect consistency. When serving, use deep bowls for the pasta. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. For some crunch, you can top it with crushed walnuts or pine nuts. Enjoy your creamy garlic spinach pasta! To get that nice creamy feel, use heavy cream. If you want a dairy-free option, coconut cream works great. Always add the cream slowly while mixing. This helps keep the sauce smooth. If it feels too thick, add some pasta water. This will loosen it up without losing flavor. Seasoning makes a big difference. Start with salt and pepper. Add a pinch of nutmeg for warmth. If you like heat, sprinkle in red pepper flakes. Taste as you go to find your perfect balance. Fresh basil on top adds a wonderful aroma and taste. Don’t rush the garlic. Sauté it slowly to avoid burning. Always use a large skillet. This gives you space to mix the pasta and sauce well. When cooking the spinach, stir often. You want it to wilt but not lose its bright color. Remember to save your pasta water! It’s a secret tool for making sauces creamy. {{image_2}} To make vegan creamy garlic spinach pasta, swap heavy cream for coconut cream. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese. This keeps the dish rich and creamy without any animal products. You still get that lovely garlic flavor and fresh spinach. You will love how simple it is to adjust! You can add proteins to this dish for more heartiness. Grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp works great. Just cook them in the skillet before adding garlic. Toss them in with the pasta and creamy sauce. This adds flavor and makes the meal more filling. If you need a gluten-free option, choose pasta made from rice or quinoa. Many brands offer gluten-free fettuccine or linguine. Cook them as you would regular pasta. The sauce will still taste amazing, and you won’t miss the gluten. To store your creamy garlic spinach pasta, let it cool first. Place the pasta in an airtight container. Keep it in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to three days. Make sure to keep the sauce with the pasta to keep it creamy. When you are ready to eat, reheat the pasta on the stove. Use a low heat setting. Add a splash of water or cream to help the sauce stay smooth. Stir it often until it is warm. You can also use a microwave. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. If you want to freeze it, use a freezer-safe container. Let the pasta cool completely before you pack it. It can last up to three months in the freezer. To eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat as described above for the best taste and texture. Yes, you can use other vegetables. Broccoli, kale, or bell peppers work great. Just chop them small and add them when you sauté the garlic. They will cook quickly and add more flavor and color. You can mix and match to fit your taste. You have options! Coconut cream is a great dairy-free choice. You can also use cashew cream or even silken tofu blended until smooth. These substitutes still give a creamy texture without the dairy. If you want a lighter option, try Greek yogurt mixed with a bit of milk. To add heat, use more red pepper flakes. You can also add chopped fresh chili peppers or a dash of hot sauce. For a smoky flavor, try adding some smoked paprika. Just remember to start small, so you can adjust to your heat preference. This pasta goes well with a fresh salad or garlic bread. A simple side salad with mixed greens and a lemon vinaigrette works perfectly. You can also serve it with roasted veggies or a light soup to complete your meal. This blog post covered how to make creamy garlic spinach pasta. We looked at the best ingredients, cooking steps, and useful tips. You also learned tasty variations and how to store leftovers. In conclusion, this pasta dish is simple and fun to make. Adjust it to fit your needs, whether you want it vegan or gluten-free. Enjoy your creamy garlic spinach pasta and share it with friends!$

Indulge in a deliciously easy creamy garlic spinach pasta that will elevate your weeknight dinners! This simple recipe combines fresh spinach, garlic, and a rich creamy sauce for a satisfying dish that everyone will love. Perfect for busy evenings or impressing guests, it's ready in just 25 minutes! Click through for the full recipe and discover how to bring this tasty meal to your table tonight. Enjoy every bite!

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Ingredients

300g pasta (fettuccine or linguine works well)

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

200g fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped

1 cup heavy cream or coconut cream for a dairy-free option

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegan option)

Salt and pepper to taste

Pinch of nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.

Sauté the Garlic: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.

Add the Spinach: Slowly add the chopped spinach to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until wilted and reduced in size.

Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes, then mix in the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.

Season: Add salt, pepper, nutmeg, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Combine with Pasta: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.

Serve: Remove from heat and let it sit for a minute to thicken slightly.

- Presentation Tips: Serve the pasta in deep bowls, garnished with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. For added texture, consider adding crushed walnuts or pine nuts on top.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes | Servings: 4