20 Minute Spinach Feta Pasta
Ready fast, our 20 Minute Spinach Feta Pasta is a vegetarian meal that’s delicious and nutritious! It turns the classic flavor combination into an easy, family-friendly meal!
Dinner in 20! Is there anything better on a super busy weeknight when you have family members coming and going in all sorts of different directions? We love a quick, easy, nutritious, and delicious dinner, and our 20 Minute Spinach Feta Pasta is exactly that. Plus, it combines one of my favorite super healthy greens and salty, briny cheese into one tasty meat-free meal!
Ingredients Needed
- Pasta – We love penne pasta for this, but you can use whatever is your favorite!
- Spinach – Fresh baby spinach is our go-to, but you can also use frozen (thawed and the excess liquid removed). Also, we use a full lb of spinach for this recipe, but you can use less, half a lb (8 oz) or
- Feta and Parmesan Cheese – Spinach and feta are such a classic flavor combination that we love, and a little bit of nutty Parmesan cheese is a great addition!
- Garlic and Onion – The aromatics of the dish!
- Olive Oil and Lemon Juice – Just enough to saute with and then deglaze with!
- Fresh Dill – This is a great herb to add that complements all of the flavors and adds a lovely herbal pop!
- Salt and Pepper – To season, of course!
So EASY to Make
This meal is SO easy to make and is almost a one-pot meal except for the extra pot for the pasta, which is really what takes the most time of the 20 Minute Spinach Feta Pasta. Otherwise, it’s just a saute of the garlic and onion, deglaze with the lemon juice, wilt of the spinach, add the dill, salt, pepper, and finally the cheeses.
Save some pasta water!
While that pasta is cooking, be sure to save some of it to add to the saute pan with the spinach and onion before you add the cheese. The starch from the pasta water will help all that cheesy goodness stick to the pasta!
Add the cooked pasta and mix well and done! A pasta dinner with one of our favorites, spinach!
20 Minute Spinach Feta Pasta! Salty, tangy feta and loads of super healthy spinach, this meal will ensure that you’re getting in your greens!
You Also Might Like
- Crustless Spinach and Feta Quiche
- Spinach and Feta Egg Cups
- Spinach Artichoke Pasta
- 10 Min Spinach and Feta Breakfast Quesadilla
- 20 Minute Spinach Ricotta Pasta
Enjoy! As always, if you make this recipe or any of my others, I love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, email me, or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
If you want to see more, be sure to sign up for my 5 Easy Ways to Start Cooking From Scratch!
20 Minute Spinach Feta Pasta
Equipment
- Large skillet at least 3 qt
Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 1 lb fresh baby spinach 16 oz
- 6 oz feta cheese 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 cups
- 1 oz parmesan cheese shredded, 1/3 cup
- 1/2 cup onion minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill minced
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Heat a large pot of salted water on the stovetop and bring to a boil. Once it comes to a boil, add the pasta and cook until al dente per the instructions on the box, or for just 2-3 minutes if using fresh pasta!
- Prep Veggies: While the water comes to a boil, prep the veggies and have the other ingredients in place and ready. Shred the Parmesan cheese from a brick to achieve the best melt!
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and once hot, add the olive oil just as the water begins to bubble. Once the pasta is added to the boiling water, add the onions and garlic and saute for 2 minutes.
- Sauté Spinach: Deglaze the pan with lemon juice and then add the spinach in bunches, turning with tongs as it wilts and adding more as space allows until all of the spinach is added and wilted. Add salt, pepper, and dill and mix.
- Add Pasta Water: By now, the pasta should be nearly done. Before draining the pasta, take 1/4 cup of pasta water and add it to the pan with the spinach and mix well.
- Cheese and Pasta: Add the cheeses and mix well, and then add the drained pasta and mix well. Finish with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
- Serve and Enjoy!
