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Plate of spaghetti with garlic and spinach garnished with herbs
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Spaghetti with Garlic & Spinach

Creamy, garlicky, and surprisingly light — this Spaghetti with Garlic & Spinach is comfort food that doesn’t weigh you down.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time22 minutes
Course: Main
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Easy
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 400kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Skillet

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 oz Spaghetti dry, any long pasta will work

Cooking Oil

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil extra virgin for best flavor

Garlic

  • 4 cloves Garlic thinly sliced, fresh for best aroma

Vegetables

  • 6 cups Fresh Spinach stems removed if thick, loosely packed

Spices

  • 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes optional, for a gentle heat

Seasoning

  • Salt to taste, kosher salt recommended
  • Black Pepper to taste

Cheese

  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese for serving

Lemon

  • 1 whole Lemon cut into wedges for serving

Instructions

  • Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti until al dente, following the package directions. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
  • Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until it’s fragrant and just turning golden (be careful not to burn it).
  • Step 3: Add the spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until wilted (about 2–3 minutes). Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.
  • Step 4: Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with the spinach and garlic. Pour in a bit of the reserved pasta water, then toss everything together so the noodles are coated and glossy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Step 5: Plate up the spaghetti, then top with plenty of freshly grated Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness.

Notes

Don’t burn the garlic: cook it just until fragrant and lightly golden; burnt garlic tastes bitter. Reserve pasta water: the starchy water helps the sauce cling to the noodles and creates a silky finish.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 300mg | Potassium: 600mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2500IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 200mg | Iron: 3mg