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Creamy Lemon Garlic Pasta with Spinach

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A quick and easy creamy lemon garlic pasta with fresh spinach, combining bright citrus notes with garlicky richness in a velvety sauce. Perfect for a comforting homemade meal ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine or linguine pasta
  • 4 cups (about 120 g) fresh spinach, washed and roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable or chicken broth, to thin sauce if needed
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes, optional pinch

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water before draining to use in the sauce.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant and just starting to turn golden—watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
  3. Toss in 4 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach. Stir for 2-3 minutes until wilted but still vibrant green. If the pan gets dry, add a splash of broth or pasta water to keep things moist.
  4. Lower heat to medium-low. Add 4 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, lemon zest from 1 lemon, and juice from the lemon. Stir continuously until cream cheese melts and sauce is smooth. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time (about 1/2 cup or 120 ml) to reach your desired creamy consistency.
  5. Add drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat. If sauce is too thick, add more pasta water or broth. Season with salt, pepper, and optional pinch of red pepper flakes.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and a wedge of lemon on the side.

Notes

Do not rinse pasta after draining to help sauce cling better. Stir pasta directly in the sauce pan for better flavor integration. Use softened cream cheese at room temperature for smooth sauce. Avoid overcooking garlic to prevent bitterness. Fresh spinach is preferred over frozen for best texture and flavor. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently with broth or water to loosen sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy lemon garlic pasta, spinach pasta, easy pasta recipe, comfort food, quick dinner, homemade pasta sauce, lemon garlic sauce, vegetarian pasta

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/creamy-lemon-garlic-pasta-with-spinach-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal/