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Spinach Pasta

Spinach Pasta

This creamy spinach pasta is a garlicky, lemony dish with sun-dried tomatoes, making it an easy and delicious 20-minute dinner.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 300 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces whole wheat penne rotini, or pasta shape of choice
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced (about 4 teaspoons)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 can (12-ounce) reduced-fat evaporated milk
  • cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus additional for serving
  • 2 cups baby spinach roughly torn or chopped
  • cup diced sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to the package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, melt the butter in a Dutch oven or similar large, deep pot over medium heat. Once it melts, stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the top. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 to 2 minutes, until the white bits of flour completely disappear and the mixture looks dark golden.
  • Slowly pour in the milk, pausing to whisk as you go to dissolve any lumps. Bring to a steady simmer. Let simmer, stirring often and scraping a wooden spoon along the bottom of the pot to keep the sauce from sticking, until the sauce is reduced, about 3 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the Parmesan until smooth.
  • Add the spinach a handful at a time, stirring until it wilts. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes. If your pasta is not ready yet, turn off the heat.
  • As soon as you drain the pasta, add it to the sauce and squeeze the lemon juice over the top. Stir gently to combine. If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen it. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Sprinkle with the parsley. Serve hot, with additional Parmesan sprinkled on top.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 300mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 5000IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 3mg
Keyword creamy pasta, Garlicky Pasta, Pasta with Spinach, quick dinner, Spinach Pasta, Vegetarian Pasta
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