Are you ready to transform an ordinary weeknight dinner into a gourmet experience? This Pasta with Blue Cheese Spinach Sauce is not just a meal—it's a culinary adventure that combines the bold, tangy flavor of blue cheese with the delicate earthiness of fresh spinach. In just 35 minutes, you'll create a restaurant-worthy dish that will have your family and friends begging for seconds, all while thinking you've secretly trained in an Italian kitchen!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of your choice
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 8 oz of pasta, 2 cups of fresh spinach, 1 cup of crumbled blue cheese, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Once the water is boiling, add the pasta of your choice. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the spinach sauce. In a large skillet, add the heavy cream over medium heat. Allow it to warm for a minute or two.
- Add the fresh spinach to the skillet with the cream. Stir gently until the spinach wilts and reduces in volume, about 2-3 minutes.
- Once the spinach has wilted, lower the heat and add the crumbled blue cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheese melts and combines with the cream, creating a smooth sauce. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Remember that blue cheese can be quite salty, so taste before adding too much salt.
- When the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the blue cheese spinach sauce. Toss the pasta gently to coat it evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Once the pasta is well coated, remove the skillet from heat. Stir in the chopped walnuts for added crunch and flavor.
- Serve the pasta immediately, garnishing with extra crumbled blue cheese and walnuts if desired. Enjoy your delicious Pasta with Blue Cheese Spinach Sauce!
Tips
- Choose a pasta shape that holds sauce well, like fusilli or penne, to maximize flavor in every bite.
- Don't overcook the spinach—it should be just wilted to retain its vibrant color and nutrients.
- Reserve pasta water before draining; its starchy goodness helps create a silkier, more cohesive sauce.
- Use high-quality blue cheese for the most intense and complex flavor profile.
- Toast the walnuts lightly before adding them for an extra layer of nutty depth.
- If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water to achieve the perfect creamy consistency.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 470kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 17g
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 63mg
