A quick, cozy, and irresistibly tasty dinner featuring spaghetti tossed with garlic, fresh spinach, and a touch of lemon.
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Cook Time20 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Easy, Quick
Servings: 4servings
Calories: 400kcal
Cost: Budget-friendly
Equipment
Large Pot
Skillet
Ingredients
Pasta
8ouncesspaghetti
Cooking Oil
2tablespoonsolive oil
Garlic
4clovesgarlic, thinly sliced
Vegetables
6cupsfresh spinach
Spices
1/2teaspoonred pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Toppings
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the sliced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant but not browned. If you like a bit of spice, add the red pepper flakes now.
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet. Cook, tossing gently, until the spinach is just wilted—about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet, tossing it with the spinach and garlic. If the mixture looks dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until your desired sauciness is achieved.
Serve immediately, topped generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Notes
For best results, use high-quality olive oil and avoid burning the garlic. You can substitute fresh spinach with baby kale or arugula if needed.