Creamy Feta Spinach Pasta (Printable Version)

Luscious pasta with crumbled feta and tender spinach in a velvety tangy sauce

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)

→ Dairy

02 - 7 oz feta cheese, crumbled

→ Vegetables

03 - 5 oz baby spinach, washed
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pantry

05 - 3 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes (optional)
08 - Salt, to taste

→ Garnish (optional)

09 - Zest of 1 lemon
10 - Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until wilted approximately 2 minutes.
04 - Add the hot, drained pasta to the skillet with the wilted spinach. Sprinkle crumbled feta evenly over the top.
05 - Pour about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water into the skillet. Toss vigorously until feta melts slightly and forms a velvety sauce. Add more pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
06 - Season with black pepper, chili flakes if using, and salt to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with lemon zest and fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something from a proper Italian restaurant
  • The creamy sauce happens naturally, no heavy cream required
  • You can customize the greens based on what's wilting in your crisper drawer
02 -
  • The pasta water trick only works if you add the hot pasta directly to the skillet, not the other way around
  • If the sauce breaks or looks oily, add another splash of pasta water while the pasta is still hot and toss again
03 -
  • Use a wooden spoon or tongs to toss the pasta, they coat everything more evenly than a spatula
  • Have your pasta water measured and ready before you drain, trying to rescue it from the sink is a lesson you only need once
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