Spinach One-Pot Pasta Recipe
This easy and delicious Spinach One-Pot Pasta combines tender pasta and fresh spinach with a savory anchovy and Parmesan sauce. Prepared in a single pot, this flavorful dish is perfect for a quick weeknight meal that delivers comfort and nutrition with minimal cleanup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- Salt, to taste
- 12 ounces short-shaped pasta, such as orecchiette or fusilli
- 1 pound mature spinach, tough ends trimmed, or about 1 1/4 pounds (two 10-ounce bags) baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 4 to 6 oil-packed anchovies, depending on preference
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnishing, if desired
- 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
- 1 lemon, halved
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and adjust the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Cook until just shy of al dente, about 1 minute less than the package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Drain Pasta over Spinach: Place the spinach in a large colander set in the sink. Drain the pasta directly over the spinach, allowing the hot pasta water and residual heat to slightly wilt the greens. Drizzle the pasta and spinach with olive oil and stir gently to prevent noodles from sticking.
- Prepare Anchovy Sauce: Wipe out the pot and place it on medium-high heat. Carefully add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the anchovies (the oil may splatter). Stir continuously until the anchovies dissolve and form a flavorful base, about 30 seconds.
- Combine and Cook: Pour the pasta and spinach mixture back into the pot with the anchovy oil. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and red-pepper flakes. Stir continuously until a glossy sauce forms and the spinach fully wilts, about 1 to 2 minutes. If the mixture appears too dry, add the reserved pasta water a tablespoon or two at a time to loosen the sauce. Use two forks if necessary to separate spinach clumps.
- Finish and Serve: Squeeze the juice of one lemon half over the pasta, stirring to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or lemon juice as needed. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese if desired, then serve immediately.
Notes
- Using oil-packed anchovies adds a rich umami flavor and eliminates the need for extra salt, so season carefully.
- Adjust the number of anchovies to your preference for intensity of flavor.
- Reserve pasta water carefully; it helps create a smooth sauce that clings to noodles.
- Use two forks to gently separate spinach clumps for even distribution.
- For a milder dish, reduce or omit the red-pepper flakes.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese gives the best flavor and melts smoothly into the sauce.
Keywords: spinach pasta, one-pot pasta, Italian pasta, quick pasta recipe, anchovy pasta, healthy pasta dish
Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/spinach-one-pot-pasta-recipe/
