Description
Rich, creamy, and loaded with flavor, this Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Pasta is the ultimate comfort food! With tender spinach, tangy artichokes, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, it’s a quick and easy dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, spaghetti, or your choice)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups fresh spinach (or 1 ½ cups thawed frozen spinach)
- 1 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Add fresh spinach to the skillet and sauté until wilted. Remove spinach from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, pour in the heavy cream and add the softened cream cheese. Stir continuously over medium heat until the cream cheese is fully melted and combined with the cream.
- Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
- Toss the chopped artichoke hearts and sautéed spinach into the sauce, mixing well to coat.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Use the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes, if desired.
Notes
- You can use frozen spinach instead of fresh, but make sure to thaw and squeeze out excess moisture before using.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream for the best results.
- Add mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or even cooked chicken or shrimp to customize this dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes