Imagine twirling your fork into a plate of lusciously creamy pasta, where every bite bursts with rich garlic flavor and tender spinach, creating a culinary experience that transforms an ordinary meal into an extraordinary dining adventure. This Italian-inspired Creamy Garlic Veg Pasta isn't just a recipe—it's a quick, luxurious escape from mundane weeknight dinners that will have your taste buds dancing and your family begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 8 oz of pasta, 1 cup of heavy cream, 4 cloves of garlic (minced), 1 cup of spinach, 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add a generous amount of salt to the water.
- Add the pasta of your choice to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of olive oil or a tablespoon of butter to the skillet.
- Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until it becomes fragrant but not browned.
- Add the spinach to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring until the spinach has wilted down.
- Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with the garlic and spinach mixture.
- Allow the cream to simmer gently for about 2-3 minutes, then add the grated parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy garlic sauce. Toss the pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Season the pasta with salt and pepper to taste, mixing well to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed.
- Once everything is well combined and heated through, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve the creamy garlic veg pasta warm, garnished with additional parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Always salt your pasta water generously—it should taste like the sea to ensure well-seasoned pasta.
- Use fresh garlic for maximum flavor; pre-minced garlic lacks the vibrant punch of freshly chopped cloves.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining, as its starchy goodness helps create a silkier, more cohesive sauce.
- Keep the heat low when adding cream to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, luxurious texture.
- For extra richness, consider adding a splash of white wine when sautéing the garlic.
- Don't overcook the spinach—it should just wilt, maintaining its bright green color and nutrients.
- Experiment with different pasta shapes like penne or fusilli to catch more of that delicious creamy sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 471kcal
Carbohydrates: 46g
Protein: 14g
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Cholesterol: 85mg
