Creamy Spinach Pasta
Creamy Spinach Pasta
A Luxurious Weekend Dish Made with Leftover Spinach!
I made a delicious spinach cream pasta using half a bunch of spinach left in the fridge.
Ingredients- Spaghetti for 2 servings
- Thinly sliced garlic, to taste
- Ham or bacon (your preference)
- 1/2 Onion
- 2 Tbsp Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 Tbsp Salt (for pasta water and seasoning)
- Pinch of Black pepper
Sauce Ingredients- 1 cup Milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1/2 bunch Fresh spinach
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1/2 bunch Fresh spinach
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the spinach. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, add 1/3 Tbsp of salt, and blanch the spinach for just 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook it, as this can dull the vibrant green color and make it mushy.
Step 2
After blanching, immediately rinse the spinach under cold water to stop the cooking process. Squeeze out as much water as possible. Then, place the blanched spinach and 1 cup of milk into a blender and process until smooth. This forms the creamy base for your sauce.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to cook the pasta. In a large pot, bring plenty of water to a boil. Add 1/3 Tbsp of salt to season the water, then add the spaghetti for 2 servings. Cook for about 8-9 minutes, or 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest, for al dente pasta. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
Step 4
Heat a pan over medium heat and add a little oil or butter. Sauté the sliced garlic until fragrant, then add the thinly sliced onion. Cook them together until the onion becomes translucent and slightly sweet.
Step 5
Add your chosen ham or bacon to the pan and sauté with the garlic and onions until lightly browned and slightly crispy. This step builds a wonderful flavor base for the sauce.
Step 6
Pour the blended spinach mixture into the pan with the sautéed ingredients. Let it simmer gently for a moment. Then, pour in 1 cup of heavy cream to create a rich, creamy sauce. Season with 1/3 Tbsp salt and a pinch of pepper. Stir in 2 Tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese for extra depth of flavor.
Step 7
Increase the heat slightly to medium-high and let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired consistency. Be careful not to let it boil too vigorously or overcook, as it can thicken too much. Your vibrant and flavorful spinach cream sauce is ready!
Step 8
Drain the cooked spaghetti well and add it directly to the pan with the sauce. Toss everything together gently until the pasta is evenly coated with the delicious spinach cream sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up. Serve immediately and enjoy your delightful homemade pasta!
