Description
A vibrant and creamy spinach pasta recipe featuring a flavorful sauce made from blanched spinach, garlic, walnuts, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of lemon juice. This quick and easy dish combines fresh ingredients to create a healthy, satisfying meal perfect for weeknights or casual dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 350 grams Spaghetti
Sauce
- 8 cloves Garlic
- 4 tbsp Walnuts
- 5 cups Spinach (chopped)
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese
- 4 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp Lemon Juice
- Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Boil Water: Take a large cooking pot and fill it with water. Bring the water to a full rolling boil and add salt to taste to season the pasta water.
- Blanch Garlic and Walnuts: Add the garlic cloves and walnuts directly into the boiling water. Blanch them for 30 seconds to soften and release their flavors, then remove them from the water with a slotted spoon and set aside in a bowl.
- Blanch Spinach: Add the chopped spinach into the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds until it turns bright green and wilts. Drain the spinach using a strainer and transfer it to a blender.
- Prepare Sauce: Into the blender with the spinach, add the blanched garlic and walnuts, Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend all ingredients until the mixture is creamy and smooth, creating a vibrant green sauce.
- Cook Pasta: Add the spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve some of the pasta cooking liquid to adjust the sauce consistency later. Drain the pasta in a colander and return it to the cooking pot.
- Combine and Serve: Pour the prepared green sauce over the hot pasta along with some of the reserved pasta water. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. Serve immediately with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for added flavor and shine.
Notes
- Blanching the garlic and walnuts quickly enhances their flavor without overpowering the sauce.
- Reserving pasta water is essential to adjust sauce consistency and help it cling better to the pasta.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and creaminess.
- You can substitute walnuts with pine nuts or almonds if preferred.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the fresh vibrant flavors and creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: spinach pasta, creamy spinach sauce, easy Italian pasta, garlic walnut pasta, healthy pasta recipe
