Quick and Creamy Spanakopita Pasta

Imagine the beloved flavors of a classic Greek spanakopita—the savory feta, the earthy spinach, the bright hints of dill and lemon—all tossed together with perfectly cooked pasta. This Spanakopita-Inspired Pasta is your new go-to weeknight wonder, delivering a comforting and elegant meal in under 30 minutes. It’s a dish that feels both fresh and indulgent, capturing the essence of Mediterranean cooking in a simple, satisfying bowl.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces (340g) short pasta, such as penne, fusilli, or gemelli
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces (225g) fresh baby spinach
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 6 ounces (170g) feta cheese, crumbled, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped, plus more for garnish
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions in a large pot of generously salted water until al dente. Just before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet in handfuls, stirring until it wilts. This may take a few minutes. Continue until all the spinach has been added and has cooked down significantly.
4. 
5. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, crumbled feta cheese, chopped dill, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir gently until the feta is partially melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if using.
6. Add the drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with an extra sprinkle of crumbled feta and fresh dill. Enjoy the vibrant flavors of this simple yet sophisticated dish!

Nutrition Information

The following is an estimate for one serving, based on 4 servings per recipe. Actual values may vary.