Spinach Cream Pasta: A Vibrant and Delicious Recipe
Vibrant and Flavorful Spinach Cream Pasta
We created this recipe to add a beautiful color to classic cream pasta, and it turned out even more delicious than the plain white version! The spinach flavor is very subtle, making it enjoyable for everyone. It’s a perfect dish for a simple yet elegant meal.
Pasta Ingredients- Spaghetti 80g
- Salt 1 tsp (for boiling water)
- Olive oil 1 Tbsp (for boiling water)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s get started on preparing all the ingredients for a rich and creamy pasta. Finely chop the onion, and cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces. Make sure to wash the fresh spinach thoroughly. Have a blender ready nearby. In a large pot of boiling water, add 1 tsp of salt and 1 Tbsp of olive oil. Add 80g of spaghetti and cook for about 10 minutes. While the pasta is cooking, quickly finish preparing the sauce ingredients. This efficient timing ensures everything is ready at once. (This timing worked out perfectly for me!)
Step 2
Take the washed spinach (about a large handful, 40g) and add 1/4 cup of water to it. Blend until smooth using a blender or immersion blender to create a spinach puree. This will give the cream sauce a beautiful green hue and boost its nutritional value.
Step 3
Finely chop about 1/3 of an onion. Cut about 2 strips of bacon into bite-sized pieces. Chopping the ingredients small helps them blend well into the sauce and cook faster.
Step 4
Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and start to cook. If the bacon doesn’t release enough fat, add a little olive oil to help it brown nicely.
Step 5
Once the bacon is partially cooked, add the chopped onion and sauté together. When the onion becomes translucent, add a generous 1.5 Tbsp of butter and let it melt while stirring. You can add 1 tsp of minced garlic for extra flavor, but feel free to omit it if you prefer less garlic essence.
Step 6
Now, pour in the spinach puree and 200ml of milk into the pan with the sautéed bacon and onion. This creates the base for our smooth and savory cream sauce.
Step 7
As the cream sauce begins to simmer, add 1 tsp of cornstarch and stir rapidly to incorporate. Cornstarch can clump easily in hot liquids, so mix it quickly to prevent lumps. Alternatively, you can reserve a little milk, dissolve the cornstarch in it, and then add this mixture to the sauce for a smoother consistency.
Step 8
Add the perfectly cooked spaghetti to the sauce pan. If the sauce seems too thick, gradually add some of the pasta cooking water (pasta water) until you reach your desired consistency. I used a generous amount of milk, so I didn’t need to add pasta water, but using it can enhance the richness and depth of the sauce.
Step 9
Finally, add about 1/2 cup (approx. 100ml) of heavy cream and stir gently until everything is well combined. The heavy cream will make the sauce even smoother and richer.
Step 10
While the sauce is still simmering, add 1 tsp of salt to season. Adjust the saltiness to your preference. A pinch of black pepper at the end will enhance the overall flavor.
Step 11
Plate the finished spinach cream pasta attractively. For a final touch, sprinkle about 1 Tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese through a sieve over the top for added nuttiness and flavor. Enjoy your delicious meal!
