Creamy Feta Spinach Pasta (Printable)

Creamy pasta with feta cheese and spinach, tossed in a tangy, silky sauce. A quick Mediterranean-inspired dinner for four.

# 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 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
08 - Salt to taste

→ Garnish

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

# How-To Steps:

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, then drain the pasta in a colander.
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 baby spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until completely wilted, approximately 2 minutes.
04 - Transfer the hot drained pasta to the skillet with the spinach. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese evenly over the mixture.
05 - Pour 1/2 cup reserved pasta water into the skillet. Toss vigorously until the feta melts slightly and forms a creamy sauce, adding additional pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
06 - Season the pasta with black pepper, chili flakes if desired, and salt to your preference. Toss gently to distribute seasonings evenly.
07 - Serve immediately while hot. Top with lemon zest and fresh chopped herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce creates itself with just pasta water and crumbled feta, no heavy cream needed
  • Everything cooks in one pan while the pasta boils, meaning minimal cleanup
  • It transforms humble ingredients into something that tastes restaurant special
02 -
  • Never skip reserving the pasta water, that starchy liquid is the magic ingredient that transforms crumbled feta into a creamy sauce
  • Add the pasta water gradually, tossing between additions, to reach your perfect sauce consistency
  • The pasta continues cooking in the skillet, so pull it from the boiling water just before it reaches your preferred doneness
03 -
  • Let your feta come to room temperature before crumbling for easier melting and better incorporation
  • If the sauce looks too thick, pasta water is always better than plain water or cream for maintaining the proper consistency
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