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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pasta Recipe with Spinach and Cherry Tomatoes

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A quick and easy creamy garlic parmesan pasta with fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes, perfect for a comforting yet light meal that comes together in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine or linguine
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (about 150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 cups (roughly 120 g) fresh spinach, washed and trimmed
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (90 g) finely grated parmesan cheese
  • About ½ cup (120 ml) reserved pasta water
  • Salt to taste (kosher preferred)
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, a pinch)
  • Lemon zest (optional, about 1 teaspoon)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and juices release.
  4. Stir in 4 cups fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes.
  5. Pour in 1 cup heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if sauce is too thick.
  6. Lower heat to medium-low and stir in 1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is creamy. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
  7. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat with sauce. Add more reserved pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.
  8. Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon lemon zest over pasta and toss again.
  9. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with extra parmesan and cracked black pepper.

Notes

Do not overcook garlic to avoid bitterness. Use reserved pasta water to emulsify the sauce and help it cling to pasta. Freshly grate parmesan for best melting and creaminess. Wilt spinach just before adding cream to keep it vibrant. Multitask by prepping garlic and tomatoes while pasta water boils. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and parmesan with nutritional yeast. Gluten-free pasta options like brown rice or chickpea pasta work well.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic parmesan pasta, spinach pasta, cherry tomato pasta, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, one-pan pasta, comfort food

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/creamy-garlic-parmesan-pasta-recipe-with-spinach-and-cherry-tomatoes-easy-and-delicious/