Creamy Lemon Spinach Pasta
Silky lemon pasta with wilted spinach, gentle garlic and an easy cream-cheese sauce.
Sample recipe in development. Cooking times are estimates; kitchen testing is still pending.
A note on this recipe
The sauce starts thick because cream cheese needs the hot pasta water to loosen it. Add the water gradually and toss over low heat; the starch helps it coat the penne instead of pooling in the bowl.
Ingredients
- 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese
- ¾ cup reserved pasta water
- 4 cups baby spinach
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp finely grated Parmesan, optional
How to make it
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente and reserve a cup of cooking water.
Warm olive oil over medium-low heat; stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
Reduce heat. Whisk softened cream cheese with ½ cup reserved pasta water until smooth.
Add spinach and stir gently until wilted.
Toss in pasta, lemon zest and juice. Loosen with more pasta water, season and serve.
Kitchen notes & substitutions
Reserve the pasta water
Scoop it out before draining the pasta. Plain hot water can loosen the sauce, but it does not bring the same starch.
A useful variation
Baby kale can replace spinach. Add lemon juice at the end to keep the flavor lively.
Storage & making ahead
Refrigerate promptly for 3–4 days and reheat gently until thoroughly hot, adding a splash of water.
For temperature guidance, see FoodSafety.gov.
Questions about this recipe
Can I skip cream cheese?
You can use another suitable creamy base, but the texture will be different.
Creamy Lemon Spinach Pasta
Silky lemon pasta with wilted spinach, gentle garlic and an easy cream-cheese sauce.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente and reserve a cup of cooking water.
- Warm olive oil over medium-low heat; stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
- Reduce heat. Whisk softened cream cheese with ½ cup reserved pasta water until smooth.
- Add spinach and stir gently until wilted.
- Toss in pasta, lemon zest and juice. Loosen with more pasta water, season and serve.
Sample recipe, not yet kitchen-tested. Image illustrative.
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