Spinach Artichoke Pasta

The spinach artichoke dip from my childhood was always my favorite but I dreamed of converting it into an entire dinner. Now you can! With its main course transformation, Spinach Artichoke Pasta provides an appetizer favorite to satisfy your entire meal. The preparation of this pasta dish requires no more time than what it takes to finish cooking.

You will produce a generous serving of six portions because it offers better value than the $8 price of an appetizer-sized portion.

This dish costs little preparation time and provides an effortless preparation method that results in amazing taste. The recipe becomes a must-serve dish due to its fun and gratifying qualities.

Is it a healthy diet?

The nutritional value of spinach artichoke pasta depends on how you prepare it since this pasta dish shares similarities with traditional pasta dishes. 

This dish incorporates vitamins along with minerals and dietary fiber so it uses spinach along with maybe artichokes as key ingredients. Both spinach contains iron alongside vitamins A and C and artichokes comprise low-calorie foods which supply antioxidants.

A combination of whole wheat pasta with white beans or Greek yogurt will make the dish healthier than when using regular pasta with heavy cream and high-fat cheese. Using this technique helps restrain cream usage in the recipe which subsequently cuts down the meal’s total caloric value.

This pasta has about 212 calories per serving, so as long as other ingredients are used in its preparation, it can be considered a healthy food. Spinach Artichoke Pasta is not unhealthy when you use the correct combination of ingredients and observe proper bite size. 

Spinach Artichoke Pasta Ingredients

• 12 oz. bowtie pasta
• 1 14 oz. can quartered artichoke hearts
• 1/2 lb. frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• Four cloves garlic
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• Four oz. cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• There are a few dashes of hot sauce
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Let’s Get Cooking…

Easy Making Instructions

1. Pasta Time

First, pour a lot of water into a large pot and put salt in it. Bring it to a rolling boil. The bowtie pasta should be cooked after 8 to 10 minutes of cooking. We want it juicy but not overcooked at the same time. When draining pasta, it is recommended to reserve a cup of pasta water for later use. I always do this and use it later.

2. Garlic Magic

Take the same pot and warm the olive oil on medium heat. Add the chopped garlic, then sauté it until the aroma comes out—according to my estimate, it’s approximately one minute. However, do not let it become fully brown.

3. Veggie Action

Now add the spinach and artichoke hearts. Stir them around and cook for 2-3 minutes. I discovered the following requirements while reading the quinoa salad and black beans recipes. At this stage, we feel a delightful aroma from the kitchen.

4. Sauce Creation

Reduce the heat slightly and stir in the cream cheese, sour cream, white wine, and milk. Stir the mixture again until all the ingredients melt and create space at the bottom. At this point, the sauce begins to take shape. If it seems too thick, pour in more milk or that reserved pasta water you can use now.

5. Bringing It Together

Toss the pasta in the sauce by dumping the drained pasta into the sauce. Finally, stir everything carefully to make sure that the pasta is evenly coated. If it feels too thick, add more pasta water to get it right.

6. Final Touches

Add the Parmesan cheese to the sauce and help it to stew. I always prepare an extra spicy kick here, so I add hot sauce or red peppers. If you want, you can add at this point. Then, stir the multiple constituents properly in salt and pepper according to your preference.

7. Serve and Enjoy

Dish it up right away! Want to get fancy? Add more Parmesan cheese on the top, or toss in more red pepper flakes. You can complement this dish with a crisp white wine or a light salad.

How to Store Leftover Pasta?

We often prepare a large quantity of pasta, and the storage process is wider than just Spinach Artichoke Pasta. Many people need to learn how to store even boiled pasta properly. I want to explain in detail how I store pasta.

Method 1: Store Boiled Pasta in Refrigerator

After cooking pasta until it’s firm:

1. Drain it and rinse with cold water.
2. Let it cool, then add a tablespoon of olive oil to keep it from sticking.
3. Store it in a sealed container or a resealable bag, making sure not to overcrowd.

Keep it in the refrigerator to stay fresh for up to a week.

Method 2: In the Freezer

Mix cooled pasta with olive oil for long-term storage and put it in a sealed container. It’s Freezing Duration: 3 Months. When ready to use it, reheat it with your favorite sauce.

Method 3: With Sauce

If you mix pasta with sauce, store it in a sealed container. It stays good for three days in the fridge. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Dip the pasta in boiling water or heat it in the oven wrapped in foil at 150°C (300°F) for 10 minutes to reheat.

Why We Make So Much Pasta

1. Busy families usually prefer to make a large amount of pasta at once because there is an option to store it. 
2. Pasta can be paired with sauces, vegetables, and proteins, so whenever pasta is made, the aim is to prepare a larger quantity. Then, whatever is paired with it can be reheated in the same amount for whoever will eat it.
3. You can save leftover pasta to eat later, which helps reduce wasting food and gives you quick and easy meals during the week.

Spinach Artichoke Pasta FAQs

How long can I keep this pasta in the refrigerator? 

• You can keep the dish sealed in a container for three or four days. To recover its smooth consistency add some milk when you reheat it before consumption. Avoid exposing this dish to excessive microwave heating since oxidation will occur from repeated treatment.

Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

• Yes. If you’re using fresh spinach, try about 4 to 5 cups. Sauté it merely until it wilts before mixing it into the sauce. Fresh spinach will give the dish a nice bright color and a slightly different feel.

Is this dish suitable for meal prep?  

• Definitely! It’s perfect for meal prep. You can make it ahead of time and divide it into separate containers. When reheating, add a little milk to keep the sauce nice.

Must Try It

The creamy spinach artichoke pasta provides 30 minutes of cooking time to produce a yummy heart-compatible meal which only needs basic components and one cooking vessel. 

This dish featuring fresh spinach and artichokes with Greek yogurt provides strong tastes that pair well for evening dinner consumption or weekend lunch events. 

The dish represents a low-calorie version of spinach and artichoke dip which pleasures its creaminess without triggering guilt feelings. 

You should prepare this dish at home to experience the effortless creation of a delicious meal packed with tasteful elements. Take advantage of the cooking tips during preparation while you should think about incorporating this meal into your regular eating plan.