Dinner

Creamy Spinach Pasta Recipe

ByNoah Steele January 1, 2026January 1, 2026

Introduction

This creamy spinach pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for any night of the week. Made with a rich Parmesan sauce, fresh spinach, and tender pasta, it comes together quickly and easily, making it ideal for home cooks looking for a satisfying meal.

This image shows a close-up of a large metal pan filled with creamy pasta. The pasta pieces are short tubes, pale yellow in color, coated evenly in a thick, smooth white sauce. Bright green spinach leaves are mixed throughout, adding contrast in color and texture. The sauce looks rich with a slightly glossy finish, and small black pepper specks are scattered on the pasta and sauce. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface with a clean and fresh look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried parsley

½ teaspoon mustard powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder

4 tablespoons salted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup half and half (half milk, half cream)

3 teaspoons lemon juice
¾ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1 ½ cups spinach

½ pound ziti rigati or penne pasta

Instructions

Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Prepare all ingredients so everything is ready before you start cooking.
Step 2: Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3: In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter and let it heat for about 2 minutes. Add the minced garlic and continue cooking until the butter foams and starts to brown slightly, swirling the pan occasionally.
Step 4: Increase the heat to medium, whisk in the flour, and cook until the mixture turns a darker brown and the raw flour smell disappears, about 2 minutes.
Step 5: Slowly add the chicken broth in small splashes, stirring continuously to combine.

Step 6: Gradually stir in the half and half, then add the dried oregano, parsley, mustard powder, garlic powder, and lemon juice.
Step 7: Reduce the heat to low and mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy.
Step 8: Add the spinach to the sauce and stir until wilted.

Step 9: Combine the drained pasta with the sauce and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
Add cooked chicken or sautéed mushrooms for extra protein and flavor.

Use fresh herbs in place of dried for a brighter taste.
To make it lighter, use milk instead of half and half, but expect a thinner sauce.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth if the sauce thickens too much.