Introduction
Remember those nights when you just needed something comforting, delicious, and ridiculously easy to whip up? This Spaghetti with Garlic and Spinach is exactly that! It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for those busy weeknights or whenever you crave a simple yet satisfying meal. I first made this when I was short on time and ingredients, and it quickly became a go-to in my kitchen. It’s so wonderfully simple, you’ll wonder why you haven’t made it a million times before!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: From start to finish, this meal comes together in under 20 minutes!
- Easy: Seriously, if you can boil pasta, you can make this. No fancy techniques required.
- Giftable: While not a baked good, you can easily pack up the dry ingredients with a cute tag explaining the recipe for a thoughtful gift!
- Crowd-pleasing: Even picky eaters usually love the simple garlic and Parmesan flavors. It’s a universally loved combo!
Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to dinner magic! Here’s what you’ll need:
- 8 ounces spaghetti: The classic pasta that’s perfect for soaking up all those delicious flavors.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil: A good quality extra virgin olive oil adds a lovely richness.
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced: Don’t be shy with the garlic! Slicing it thinly helps it infuse the oil beautifully without burning too quickly.
- 6 cups fresh spinach: This might look like a lot, but spinach wilts down so much! It’s a fantastic way to sneak in some greens.
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional): Just a little pinch to add a gentle warmth that complements the garlic. You can totally skip this if you prefer no heat.
- Salt and black pepper, to taste: Essential for bringing all the flavors to life!
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving): The ultimate salty, nutty topping that makes everything better.
- Lemon wedges (for serving): A little squeeze of fresh lemon brightens up the whole dish. Trust me on this!
How to Make It
Let’s get cooking! It’s truly as simple as it sounds.
- Cook Your Pasta: Get a big pot of salted water boiling and cook your spaghetti according to the package directions. Make sure it’s nice and al dente – not too mushy!
- Get Your Garlic Ready: While the pasta is doing its thing, grab a large skillet. Pour in your olive oil and heat it over medium heat. Add your thinly sliced garlic. You want to cook it until it’s fragrant and just starting to turn golden, about 1 minute. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn – burnt garlic is no fun!
- Wilt That Spinach: Now, toss your spinach into the skillet with the fragrant garlic oil. If you’re using the red pepper flakes, sprinkle them in now too. Stir everything around until the spinach wilts down, which only takes about 2-3 minutes. It’ll shrink dramatically, I promise!
- Drain and Save: Once your spaghetti is cooked, drain it well. BUT – before you dump all that water away, scoop out about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. This is our secret weapon for creating a luscious sauce!
- Combine Everything: Add the drained spaghetti directly into the skillet with the wilted spinach and garlic. Give it all a good toss to combine, making sure every strand of pasta gets coated in that garlicky goodness.
- Create the “Sauce”: Now, if the pasta looks a little dry, this is where your reserved pasta water comes in. Add a splash (or two!) of it to the skillet. As you toss, the starch from the water will mingle with the olive oil to create a light, glossy sauce that clings beautifully to the spaghetti. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust – this is your moment!
- Serve It Up: Dish out your delicious spaghetti immediately. Top each serving with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a wedge of lemon on the side for squeezing. It’s pure comfort food bliss!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to play around and make it your own.
- Add Protein: Cooked chicken, shrimp, or even some white beans would be fantastic additions. Just toss them in at the same time you add the pasta.
- Veggie Boost: Cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, or a handful of peas would be lovely additions. Add them in with the spinach to warm through.
- Nutty Crunch: Toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds sprinkled on top add a wonderful texture and flavor.
- Herbaceous Notes: Fresh basil or parsley chopped and stirred in at the end is always a good idea!
- Lemon Zest: For an extra punch of citrusy brightness, add some lemon zest along with the pasta water.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks to ensure your spaghetti turns out perfectly every time.
- Don’t Burn the Garlic: This is the most important tip! Keep the heat on medium and watch the garlic carefully. If it starts to brown too quickly, lower the heat or even briefly remove the pan from the heat.
- Salt Your Pasta Water: It’s crucial for flavoring the pasta from the inside out. The water should taste like the sea!
- Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: That cloudy liquid gold is what emulsifies the oil and creates your light sauce. It’s essential!
- Prep Ahead: You can slice your garlic and wash your spinach ahead of time to make the cooking process even faster.
- Adjust Seasoning: Always taste and adjust salt and pepper at the end. Parmesan cheese is salty, so keep that in mind when seasoning.
How to Store It
Leftovers are delicious, but they do change texture slightly. Store any cooled pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a tiny splash of water or olive oil if needed to loosen it up. You can also microwave it, but be sure to stir halfway through for even heating.
FAQs
- Can I use dried spinach instead of fresh? While fresh is preferred for its texture and quick wilting, you could use about 1 cup of dried spinach, rehydrated according to package directions, but the texture and flavor will be different.
- Is this recipe vegetarian? Yes, it is! And it can easily be made vegan by omitting the Parmesan cheese or using a vegan alternative.
- How spicy is this dish? The red pepper flakes are optional and only add a mild warmth. You can adjust the amount or omit them entirely for a completely non-spicy dish.
Easy Garlic Spinach Spaghetti
A comforting, delicious, and ridiculously easy spaghetti dish with garlic and spinach, perfect for busy weeknights. Ready in under 20 minutes!
Equipment
- Large pot For cooking pasta
- Large skillet For wilting spinach and combining ingredients
- Colander For draining pasta
Ingredients
Hauptzutaten
- 8 ounces spaghetti Classic pasta perfect for soaking up flavors
- 2 tablespoons olive oil Good quality extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic Thinly sliced
- 6 cups fresh spinach Wilt down a lot, packed
- 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional, for gentle warmth
- salt and black pepper To taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese For serving
- Lemon wedges For serving
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti in a big pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente.8 ounces spaghetti
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add thinly sliced garlic and cook until fragrant and just starting to turn golden (about 1 minute), being careful not to burn.8 ounces spaghetti
- Add spinach and optional red pepper flakes to the skillet. Stir until spinach wilts down (about 2-3 minutes).8 ounces spaghetti
- Drain spaghetti, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water. Add drained spaghetti to the skillet with the spinach and garlic.8 ounces spaghetti
- Toss everything to combine. If the pasta seems dry, add a splash of reserved pasta water to create a light sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.8 ounces spaghetti
- Serve immediately, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a lemon wedge on the side.8 ounces spaghetti
Notes
This recipe is adaptable. Feel free to add protein like chicken or shrimp, other vegetables like cherry tomatoes, or a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or fresh herbs like basil or parsley. For extra brightness, add lemon zest with the pasta water. Always taste and adjust seasoning at the end, keeping in mind the saltiness of Parmesan.