Garlic Butter Pasta with Wilted Greens
Garlic Butter Pasta with Wilted Greens
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, for pasta water
For the Garlic Butter Sauce and Greens
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 1/2 cups of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet with the garlic butter. Cook, tossing frequently, until the spinach has completely wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the wilted greens and garlic butter. Pour in 1 cup of the reserved pasta water, the lemon zest, and the lemon juice. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Toss everything together vigorously until the pasta is well coated and the sauce has emulsified into a creamy consistency. If the sauce seems too thick, add more reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Garlic Butter Pasta with Wilted Greens
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, for pasta water
For the Garlic Butter Sauce and Greens
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 8 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 1/2 cups of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the thinly sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet with the garlic butter. Cook, tossing frequently, until the spinach has completely wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Season with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the wilted greens and garlic butter. Pour in 1 cup of the reserved pasta water, the lemon zest, and the lemon juice. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Toss everything together vigorously until the pasta is well coated and the sauce has emulsified into a creamy consistency. If the sauce seems too thick, add more reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min