Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pasta

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pasta, a luscious weeknight dinner that’s as easy to make as it is impressive. This recipe combines tender penne pasta with a rich, velvety sauce made from cream cheese and Parmesan, infused with the bold flavors of sautéed garlic and a hint of spice from optional red pepper flakes. The addition of nutrient-packed spinach and tangy artichoke hearts gives the dish a vibrant, gourmet twist reminiscent of the classic dip everyone loves. Ready in just 30 minutes, this one-pan pasta is perfect for busy evenings, yet elegant enough for entertaining. Garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness, this dish will quickly become a favorite in your dinner rotation. Tag this recipe under creamy pasta, spinach artichoke recipes, and quick dinner ideas for a quick SEO boost!

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz Penne pasta
• 2 tablespoons Butter
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Milk
• 4 oz Cream cheese
• 1 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup Frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
• 1 cup Artichoke hearts (quartered, canned or jarred, drained)
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, minced, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Step 3

Melt the butter in the skillet with the garlic, then whisk in the flour to create a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously, until the flour is slightly golden.

Step 4

Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Continue to cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 5

Add the cream cheese to the sauce, stirring until smooth. Then, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).

Step 6

Fold in the spinach and artichoke hearts, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.

Step 7

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it in the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can thin it out by adding some of the reserved pasta cooking water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy your Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pasta!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1576.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2791.6

Total Fat 118.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 60.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.1g
Cholesterol 304.3mg	0%
Sodium 5323.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 334.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.3g	0%
Total Sugars 31.8g
Protein 115.7g	0%

Vitamin D 219.2IU	0%
Calcium 2056.6mg	0%
Iron 21.5mg	0%
Potassium 3223.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.1%

Protein: 16.2%

Carbs: 46.7%