This garlicky, creamy spinach pasta sauce is a game-changer for your weeknight meals. It takes a mere 15 minutes to make and requires only five ingredients. Pair it with your favorite pasta and a generous sprinkle of vegan parmesan for a quick and satisfying meal.
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Looking for more vegan pasta sauces? Then I highly recommend trying my vegetable pasta sauce, vegan pesto pasta, and creamy harissa tahini pasta sauce. They are easy, delicious, and perfect for busy weeknights.
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❤️ Why you’ll love it
I absolutely adore the creamy texture of this spinach pasta sauce, which is thanks to the combination of dairy-free cream and nutritional yeast. It is not only incredibly smooth but also has this velvety feel that makes every bite a true pleasure.
The use of spinach in this recipe is a real game-changer. It adds a fresh, vibrant color to the sauce that makes it visually appealing and appetizing. Plus, the slight tanginess from the nutritional yeast, which is similar to traditional parmesan, adds an extra depth of flavor that is simply irresistible.
This recipe is so easy to make, and it only requires five simple ingredients. The use of garlic in the sauce not only adds a savory note to the dish but also makes it a bit more aromatic. It is a great way to add some depth of flavor to this simple yet delicious dish.
The best part is that you can have this delicious, creamy, and healthy sauce ready in just 15 minutes. It is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want to make something quick and tasty.
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🧾 Key ingredients
This spinach pasta sauce is a simple yet delicious dish that can be made with ingredients that are easy to find. You can buy these items at your local grocery store, and you may even have some of them in your kitchen already.
Fettucini pasta is the heart of this dish. Its wide, flat shape and silky texture provide the perfect foundation for the creamy spinach sauce. The pasta, when coated with this rich, dairy-free sauce, provides a perfect balance of flavor and comfort.
Olive oil and garlic are essential to infuse the sauce with a rich, garlicky flavor. The garlic, when finely chopped and sauté in olive oil, releases its aroma and flavor, which adds a depth of savoriness to the sauce. It is a simple yet crucial step in this recipe that should not be skipped.
Fresh spinach or spinach puree is the star ingredient of this sauce. It not only gives the sauce its vibrant green color but also adds a fresh, earthy flavor that pairs well with the creaminess of the sauce.
Dairy-free cream and nutritional yeast are the key to achieving a creamy, vegan sauce that is still rich and flavorful. The dairy-free cream adds a lusciously creamy texture to the sauce, while the nutritional yeast adds a cheese-like flavor that complements the spinach and garlic perfectly.
🛒 You can find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
🥘 Equipment
For this creamy and garlicky spinach pasta sauce, the most crucial piece of equipment you will need is a good quality blender. It will help you achieve an incredibly smooth and creamy texture for your sauce.
👩🍳 Instructions
Preparing the Ingredients
Step 1
Start by cooking your pasta in a pot of boiling water. Follow the instructions on the pasta package for the best results.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, prepare your garlic. Peel the garlic cloves and mince them into small pieces. This can be done using a knife or a garlic press.
Step 3
If you are using fresh spinach, it’s time to chop it. You can do this with a food processor to ensure the spinach is chopped into tiny pieces. If you are using frozen spinach puree, make sure it is thawed before using it.
Making the spinach pasta sauce
Step 1
Heat a frying pan or wok on medium heat. Add the olive oil to the pan.
Step 2
Next, add the minced garlic to the pan and stir it into the oil. Allow the garlic to sauté for about a minute.
Step 3
Now, add the chopped spinach to the pan. Mix it well with the garlic and sauté for about a minute.
Step 4
Add the dairy-free cream and the nutritional yeast to the pan. Stir all the ingredients together, making sure the cream and yeast are well incorporated into the sauce. Continue to cook the sauce until it begins to boil. This should take about a minute.
Step 5
Once the sauce is ready, use an immersion blender to make it extra smooth and creamy. If you don’t have an immersion blender, you can skip this step. Your sauce will have small pieces of spinach, which is also fine.
Step 6
Finally, drain the cooked pasta and add it to the pan with the creamy spinach sauce. Stir the pasta and sauce together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Serve your spinach pasta while it is hot.
💡 Expert tip
If you are batch cooking, you can skip the last step of mixing the pasta with the spinach sauce. It is best to keep the sauce and cooked pasta separate, especially if you plan on storing them for several days. This helps prevent the pasta from becoming soggy and losing its texture.
🔄 Variations
Try a different type of pasta. Instead of fettucini, why not experiment with spaghetti or fusilli? Each pasta shape will give a unique texture to the dish, keeping it interesting and fun. You can also go for rice noodles, quinoa spaghetti, or edamame spaghetti for this recipe.
Incorporate some extra veggies. This spinach pasta sauce is a great opportunity to add some more vegetables to your meal. Try mushrooms, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, green peas, or sweet corn. They will not only add color and texture but also increase the nutritional value of the dish.
If you like a bit of heat in your food, consider adding red pepper flakes. This will give your spinach pasta sauce a nice kick without overpowering the other flavors.
🥣 Serving ideas
Spinach pasta is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in many ways. It pairs beautifully with a wide variety of toppings. For a burst of umami flavor, add some grated parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast. If you want to add a bit of crunch, vegan bacon bits or toasted pine nuts are a great choice.
Fresh herbs are also a wonderful addition. A sprinkle of basil or parsley will not only add a pop of color but also a refreshing flavor that complements the creamy spinach sauce.
If you are looking for a heartier meal, consider adding some sauteéd mushrooms, pan-fried oyster mushrooms, or roasted asparagus and mushrooms. The earthy flavors of the mushrooms pair beautifully with the creamy spinach sauce, and the added mushrooms will make the dish even more filling and satisfying.
And, of course, no pasta dish is complete without a side of bread. A warm, crusty baguette or some garlic bread on the side will perfectly complement the flavors of this dish.
If you are not vegan, you can also add some protein to this dish. It goes well with tofu, grilled chicken, or even shrimp.
❄️ Storing tips
Storing and reheating this creamy spinach pasta is easy, and it does not compromise the flavor. In fact, the flavors tend to meld and become even more delicious after a day or two in the fridge.
To store, allow the pasta to cool completely. Once cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for about 3-5 days.
I do not recommend freezing this particular dish. The creamy spinach sauce, which is made with dairy-free cream, can separate and become grainy when frozen and then thaw. This can significantly affect the overall texture and consistency of the dish.
When you are ready to enjoy your leftovers, you can reheat it easily. Simply place the desired portion in a saucepan and heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is heated through. If the sauce seems a bit thick, you can add a splash of dairy-free milk to loosen it up.
🤔 FAQs
Absolutely! If you are using frozen spinach, make sure to thaw it and squeeze out any excess liquid before adding it to the recipe.
While using an immersion blender is the best way to achieve a perfectly smooth and creamy sauce, it is not absolutely necessary. If you do not mind small pieces of spinach in your sauce, you can skip this step.
Yes, you can. If you are not vegan or dairy-free, feel free to use grated Parmesan or any other type of cheese you like.
Absolutely! This pasta dish is a great canvas for adding protein. You can add sauté chicken, tofu, or even chickpeas to make it a complete, filling meal. Just make sure to cook the protein separately and add it to the dish at the end.
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Creamy Spinach Pasta Sauce
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 servings Fettuccine pasta or spaghetti or any other type of pasta you like
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic (finely chopped)
- 7 oz Spinach fresh or frozen spinach puree
- 1 cup Dairy-free cream
- 2 Tbsp Nutritional yeast or grated vegan Parmesan
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparing the ingredients
- Cook pasta in boiling water according to package instructions.
- Peel and mince or finely chop garlic cloves.
- If you use fresh spinach, chop it with a food processor into tiny pieces. If you use frozen spinach puree, let it thaw before using it.
Making creamy spinach pasta sauce
- Heat a frying pan or wok on medium heat and add olive oil.
- Add minced/finely chopped garlic and stir. Saute for 1 minute.
- Add chopped spinach. Mix well and saute for 1 minute.
- Add heavy cream (we used a dairy-free version) and Parmesan (we used nutritional yeast). Stir well and bring it to a boil. Approx. another 1 minute.
- Take a long thin container and use an immersion blender to make it extra smooth and creamy. (You can skip this step if you don’t mind small spinach bites.)
- Drain the cooked pasta and mix it with the creamy spinach sauce. Serve it while hot!
Video
Nutrition
UPDATED: This recipe was originally posted in July 2018, but was rewritten in April 2019. We further tweaked the recipe, took new photos, and rewritten it again in April 2024.
alisa
Excellent! I used coconut milk instead of non-dairy creamer and penne for the pasta. I also used a bit of leftover red sauce to keep the pasta from sticking as it finished before the spinach was fully cooked. Yum!
Nandor Barta
Hi Alisa, Thank you so much for trying our recipe. I am so happy you liked it.
Joy
Looks yummy! I’m planning to tweak the recipe a bit and add hemp seeds, which are a really good source of protein too.
Laura
This recipe looked terrific until I looked up the non-dairy cream. It is just not a healthy food and too high in added oils. Do you have thoughts about substitutes that supply some of the creaminess you are looking for? Cashew milk possibly?
My Pure Plants
Hi Laura, if you don’t want to use non-dairy cream, you can add a bit of cashew alfredo sauce instead. If you use cashew milk, the sauce may be a bit thin at the end.
Agnes
Great! Yummy!