Description
Quick spinach pasta sauce is a creamy, vibrant green recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a flavorful weeknight dinner. Made with spinach, garlic, onion, and Parmesan, it’s silky and indulgent while packing in plenty of greens. Ready in under 30 minutes, this spinach sauce is perfect for spaghetti, penne, or your favorite pasta shape. Nutritious, budget-friendly, and comforting, it’s a go-to recipe for busy nights.
Ingredients
1 onion, diced
3–4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
180 g fresh spinach
80 g Parmesan, finely grated
280 g spaghetti
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt & black pepper
1 tsp dried parsley
Optional: chilli flakes
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium-low. Add onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook until softened (about 6 minutes).
- Meanwhile, cook spaghetti in salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than package instructions.
- Add spinach, dried parsley, and 200ml pasta water to the onions. Cook for 2 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Transfer to a blender and blitz until smooth.
- Return sauce to the pan. Add spaghetti and two-thirds of the Parmesan. Toss well, loosening with extra pasta water if needed.
- Serve topped with remaining Parmesan, black pepper, and optional chilli flakes.
Notes
- Add toasted pine nuts or walnuts for a nutty depth.
- Stir in cream or mascarpone for extra richness.
- Swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast for a vegan version.
- Add grilled chicken, prawns, or chickpeas for protein.
- Blend in fresh basil or mint for a herby kick.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Blending
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
