Name: Creamy Spinach and Cheese Pasta
Ingredients: Pasta: 1 pound of your favorite pasta shape (penne, fusilli, farfalle, or shells work particularly well to capture the sauce). Choose a good quality pasta for the best texture and flavor.; Fresh Spinach: 10 ounces (about 300g) of fresh spinach, thoroughly washed. Fresh spinach provides a vibrant color and a slightly earthy flavor that complements the creamy sauce beautifully. Baby spinach is particularly convenient as it is pre-washed and tender.; Heavy Cream: 1 cup (240ml) of heavy cream. Heavy cream is essential for achieving that luscious, rich, and creamy texture that defines this pasta dish. It provides the perfect base for the cheese and spinach to meld together.; Milk: 1 cup (240ml) of milk (whole milk or 2% milk work best). Milk helps to thin out the heavy cream slightly, creating a sauce that is creamy but not overly heavy. It also adds a touch of sweetness and lightness.; Cream Cheese: 4 ounces (113g) of cream cheese, softened. Cream cheese adds a wonderful tanginess and creaminess to the sauce, contributing to its depth of flavor and luxurious texture. Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the best results.; Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup (about 50g) of grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving. Parmesan cheese brings a salty, savory, and nutty flavor to the sauce. Its hard texture melts beautifully into the cream, adding richness and umami. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.; Mozzarella Cheese: ½ cup (about 50g) of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully and adds a mild, milky flavor and wonderful stretch to the pasta dish. It complements the other cheeses perfectly and provides a satisfying cheesy pull.; Garlic: 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced. Garlic is a crucial aromatic ingredient that infuses the sauce with its pungent and savory flavor. Minced garlic releases its flavor best when sautéed in butter or oil.; Butter: 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce, and it’s perfect for sautéing the garlic and creating a flavorful base. Unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the dish.; Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Olive oil is used for sautéing the garlic and spinach. It adds a subtle fruity flavor and prevents the butter from burning. Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for its superior flavor.; Salt: To taste. Salt is essential for seasoning the pasta water and the sauce. It enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients and balances the richness of the cream and cheese. Kosher salt or sea salt are preferred for their pure flavor.; Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Black pepper adds a pungent and slightly spicy note that complements the creamy sauce and cheeses. Freshly ground pepper has a more intense and aromatic flavor than pre-ground pepper.; Nutmeg (optional): A pinch of ground nutmeg. Nutmeg adds a warm, slightly sweet, and aromatic note that enhances the creamy flavors of the sauce. It’s a classic spice pairing with spinach and cream.; Red Pepper Flakes (optional): A pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Red pepper flakes add a subtle kick of spice that can balance the richness of the sauce and add complexity to the flavor profile. Adjust the amount to your preference.

Ingredients

Pasta: 1 pound of your favorite pasta shape (penne, fusilli, farfalle, or shells work particularly well to capture the sauce). Choose a good quality pasta for the best texture and flavor.
Fresh Spinach: 10 ounces (about 300g) of fresh spinach, thoroughly washed. Fresh spinach provides a vibrant color and a slightly earthy flavor that complements the creamy sauce beautifully. Baby spinach is particularly convenient as it is pre-washed and tender.
Heavy Cream: 1 cup (240ml) of heavy cream. Heavy cream is essential for achieving that luscious, rich, and creamy texture that defines this pasta dish. It provides the perfect base for the cheese and spinach to meld together.
Milk: 1 cup (240ml) of milk (whole milk or 2% milk work best). Milk helps to thin out the heavy cream slightly, creating a sauce that is creamy but not overly heavy. It also adds a touch of sweetness and lightness.
Cream Cheese: 4 ounces (113g) of cream cheese, softened. Cream cheese adds a wonderful tanginess and creaminess to the sauce, contributing to its depth of flavor and luxurious texture. Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the best results.
Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup (about 50g) of grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving. Parmesan cheese brings a salty, savory, and nutty flavor to the sauce. Its hard texture melts beautifully into the cream, adding richness and umami. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor.
Mozzarella Cheese: ½ cup (about 50g) of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully and adds a mild, milky flavor and wonderful stretch to the pasta dish. It complements the other cheeses perfectly and provides a satisfying cheesy pull.
Garlic: 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced. Garlic is a crucial aromatic ingredient that infuses the sauce with its pungent and savory flavor. Minced garlic releases its flavor best when sautéed in butter or oil.
Butter: 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Butter adds richness and flavor to the sauce, and it’s perfect for sautéing the garlic and creating a flavorful base. Unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness of the dish.
Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Olive oil is used for sautéing the garlic and spinach. It adds a subtle fruity flavor and prevents the butter from burning. Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for its superior flavor.
Salt: To taste. Salt is essential for seasoning the pasta water and the sauce. It enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients and balances the richness of the cream and cheese. Kosher salt or sea salt are preferred for their pure flavor.
Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Black pepper adds a pungent and slightly spicy note that complements the creamy sauce and cheeses. Freshly ground pepper has a more intense and aromatic flavor than pre-ground pepper.
Nutmeg (optional): A pinch of ground nutmeg. Nutmeg adds a warm, slightly sweet, and aromatic note that enhances the creamy flavors of the sauce. It’s a classic spice pairing with spinach and cream.
Red Pepper Flakes (optional): A pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Red pepper flakes add a subtle kick of spice that can balance the richness of the sauce and add complexity to the flavor profile. Adjust the amount to your preference.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. “Al dente” means “to the tooth” in Italian, and it refers to pasta that is cooked through but still firm to the bite. This texture is ideal for pasta dishes as it holds its shape and sauce better. While the pasta is cooking, you can prepare the sauce. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. Pasta water is starchy and will help to create a smoother and more emulsified sauce. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
Sauté Garlic in Butter and Olive Oil: In a large, deep skillet or pot (large enough to eventually hold all the pasta), melt the butter together with the olive oil over medium heat. The combination of butter and olive oil prevents the butter from burning and adds a richer flavor. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the minced garlic. Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic will taste bitter. The aroma of sautéed garlic should be noticeable and pleasant. Stir constantly to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet with the garlic. You might need to add the spinach in batches as it wilts down significantly. Stir continuously as the spinach cooks. The heat from the skillet will quickly wilt the spinach. Cook until the spinach is completely wilted and has reduced in volume, usually about 3-5 minutes. Excess moisture will be released from the spinach as it cooks. Continue cooking until most of this moisture has evaporated, but don’t let the spinach become dry.
Create the Creamy Sauce Base: Pour in the heavy cream and milk into the skillet with the spinach and garlic. Stir to combine all the ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Simmering allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly. Be careful not to boil the cream, as boiling can cause it to curdle or separate. Reduce the heat if necessary to maintain a gentle simmer.
Melt in the Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese to the simmering sauce, a tablespoon at a time, stirring continuously until it is completely melted and incorporated into the sauce. Ensure the cream cheese is softened before adding it to the sauce to prevent lumps. Stirring constantly is crucial to ensure smooth melting and prevent sticking to the bottom of the skillet. The sauce will start to thicken as the cream cheese melts.
Incorporate the Parmesan and Mozzarella: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella cheese. Continue stirring until both cheeses are fully melted and the sauce is smooth, creamy, and cheesy. The Parmesan will add a salty, savory flavor, while the mozzarella will contribute to the cheesy stretch and mildness. Taste the sauce at this stage and adjust seasoning as needed.
Season to Perfection: Season the sauce with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional nutmeg and red pepper flakes to taste. Start with a pinch of salt and pepper, and then adjust according to your preference. Nutmeg and red pepper flakes are optional but can enhance the flavor profile of the dish. Taste again and adjust seasoning until the sauce is perfectly balanced to your liking.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy spinach and cheese sauce. Toss the pasta gently to coat it evenly with the sauce. Ensure every strand of pasta is coated in the luscious sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency. Toss again to incorporate the pasta water.
Serve Immediately: Serve the Creamy Spinach and Cheese Pasta immediately while it’s hot and creamy. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh black pepper, if desired. Serving immediately ensures the pasta is at its best texture and the sauce is still creamy and melted. Garnish adds visual appeal and extra flavor. Enjoy your delicious and comforting Creamy Spinach and Cheese Pasta!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 750
Protein: 30g