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Quick Creamy Lemon Parmesan Pasta with Spinach

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A quick and easy creamy pasta dish featuring fresh spinach, Parmesan cheese, and a bright lemon flavor, perfect for a cozy dinner in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne)
  • 4 cups (about 120 grams) fresh spinach, loosely packed, washed and roughly chopped
  • 1 cup (about 90 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano preferred)
  • 1 medium lemon, zested and juiced
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Toss in 4 cups (120 grams) chopped fresh spinach. Cook, stirring frequently, until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. The spinach should look bright green and tender.
  4. Reduce heat to low and pour in ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream. Stir to combine and gently warm the mixture for 1-2 minutes. Do not let it boil.
  5. Gradually add 1 cup (90 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring constantly to melt it into the cream. The sauce should become smooth and slightly thickened.
  6. Stir in the zest and juice of 1 medium lemon. Mix thoroughly to distribute the bright citrus flavor throughout the sauce.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to coat. If the sauce feels too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water (a tablespoon at a time) until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Remember Parmesan adds saltiness, so season lightly at first.
  9. Plate the pasta while warm. For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit more Parmesan and a crack of black pepper on top.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to loosen the sauce without watering down flavor. Keep heat low when adding cheese to prevent clumping. Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor. Add lemon zest and juice at the end to avoid curdling the sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: quick pasta, creamy pasta, lemon pasta, Parmesan pasta, spinach pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/quick-creamy-lemon-parmesan-pasta-with-spinach-recipe-for-easy-dinner/