Description
This simple creamy spinach pasta recipe features springtime fresh spinach and peas. It comes together quickly for a weeknight meal and is so delicious it will please picky eaters.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 cups peas (thawed if frozen)
- 8 oz. spaghetti
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 5 oz. baby spinach
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3 oz. cream cheese
- 2 oz. grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/2 tsp. table salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- zest from 1 lemon, plus wedges for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add peas and cook until just tender, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon or small colander; set aside in a small bowl.
- Return pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions; reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking liquid. Strain and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add spinach and cook until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and transfer to a clean kitchen towel. Cool slightly then squeeze out the water from the spinach (tip: do this under cold running water to avoid burning your hands and to seal the vibrant green color). Transfer mixture to a food processor and add cream cheese, parmesan cheese and salt. Pulse, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until smooth, about 10-20 pulses.
- Transfer sauce to the large pot and add pasta. Toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time to thin out sauce to desired consistency. Divide pasta among 4 serving bowls and top with peas, pecans, lemon zest and more grated parmesan. Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Notes
- Squeeze out as much moisture from the spinach as possible. Run the spinach in a towel under cold water to seal the color and cool the spinach slightly.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Cold and room temperature leftovers taste great.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautee
- Cuisine: Healthy