Creamy Feta Spinach Pasta (Printable)

Luscious pasta with crumbled feta and spinach in a tangy, creamy sauce. A quick, satisfying Mediterranean dish ready in just 25 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 ounces dried pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)

→ Dairy

02 - 7 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

→ Vegetables

03 - 5 ounces baby spinach, washed
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Pantry

05 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin 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 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add the spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring continuously, until wilted, approximately 2 minutes.
04 - Add the hot, drained pasta to the skillet with the spinach. Sprinkle in the crumbled feta cheese evenly throughout.
05 - Pour 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water into the skillet. Toss all ingredients vigorously until the feta melts slightly and forms a creamy sauce, adding additional pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
06 - Season the dish with black pepper, chili flakes if desired, and salt to taste. Adjust seasonings as needed.
07 - Transfer to serving dishes immediately. Garnish with lemon zest and fresh herbs if desired. Serve while hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • That luxurious sauce comes from clever chemistry not heavy cream
  • Ready in under 30 minutes with ingredients you probably have
  • The feta creates restaurant quality richness with minimal effort
02 -
  • That pasta water is what transforms crumbled cheese into sauce
  • The sauce tightens fast so serve straight from the pan
  • Feta saltiness varies so taste before adding more salt
03 -
  • Reserve more pasta water than you think you need
  • Use the hottest skillet you can handle for better emulsification
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