If you’re craving a quick yet comforting dish that’s simple to prepare, our creamy spinach pasta hits the mark. We use mascarpone cheese in place of heavy cream to create an incredibly smooth, velvety sauce, and add a splash of milk to lighten things up without sacrificing richness.
We’ve kept the rest of the flavors clean and simple: a little garlic, a little onion, some Parmesan cheese for depth, and a pinch of nutmeg as a finishing touch.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Here’s what you need to know about the key ingredients in this recipe. The complete list, including quantities, is in the printable recipe card below.
FRESH SPINACH: We recommend using fresh spinach for best texture and flavor. If you need to substitute frozen spinach, be sure to thaw it thoroughly, whether overnight in the fridge, in the microwave, or under cool running water. Once thawed, squeeze out as much excess water as possible to avoid a runny sauce.
MASCARPONE CHEESE: Mascarpone has a buttery richness and smooth texture that’s ideal for making creamy pasta sauces. You can use softened cream cheese as a substitute in a pinch, but the flavor will be slightly tangier and the sauce less silky.
NUTMEG: Nutmeg is a classic ingredient in creamed spinach, and it adds a warm, nutty note that elevates the flavor of this simple sauce, as well. It’s optional, but just a pinch can make a big difference. Omit it if you prefer, but we recommend giving it a try.
Prep Overview
How to Make Creamy Spinach Pasta
Planning to make this recipe? Here’s a quick overview of how it’s done. Detailed, step-by-step instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
Once you get the pasta water going, this dish comes together in no time. While the linguine cooks, sauté some onion and garlic in a combination of butter and olive oil until soft and aromatic. Fresh spinach goes in next and wilts down in a minute or two to form the base of the sauce.
Once the spinach is tender, stir in the mascarpone mixed with a little milk, and let it melt into the spinach to create a smooth, creamy coating. Add a pinch of nutmeg, then add the pasta and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese to deepen the flavor. Toss until the pasta is nicely coated and it’s ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
We usually like to serve this dish with a salad on the side for a simple meatless meal, but if you’d like to work in some extra protein, top each serving with a poached or fried egg with a runny yolk.
More Easy Meatless Pasta Dinners
If you enjoy this creamy spinach pasta, you might also like these easy vegetarian dinners that highlight simple ingredients and fresh flavor. Our Creamy Tomato Pasta is a nice twist on red sauce that also uses mascarpone. Eggplant and Mushroom Pasta is a hearty main dish with rich, earthy flavors, and Roasted Butternut Squash Pasta with fresh sage and pine nuts is a sweet-savory seasonal favorite.
Creamy Spinach Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces linguine, (see notes)
- 3/4 cup mascarpone cheese, (see notes)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 10 ounces fresh spinach
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the linguine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mascarpone and milk until smooth.
- Add the linguine to the boiling water and cook according to package directions.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until softened and pale golden, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the spinach and cook, tossing with tongs, until fully wilted, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in the mascarpone mixture and season to taste with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 minutes, just until the sauce begins to thicken.
- Drain the linguine and add it to the pan along with the Parmesan cheese. Toss until the pasta is well coated in the sauce.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Serve immediately, garnished with a little extra nutmeg and Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Excellent meal. Many thanks for this wonderfully simple, but tasteful, recipe…
Hi Philip,
Glad you enjoyed the pasta. Thanks for letting us know!