Quick Marinara Pasta Spinach (Print)

A comforting pasta with marinara sauce and spinach, ready in 20 minutes for easy weeknight meals.

# Components:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried spaghetti or penne
02 - Salt, for pasta water

→ Sauce

03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 24 oz jar marinara sauce
06 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach
07 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ To Serve

09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
10 - Fresh basil leaves (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain pasta.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Pour in marinara sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Add red pepper flakes if using.
04 - Add fresh spinach to the sauce and cook, stirring, until wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes.
05 - Add drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach desired consistency.
06 - Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and fresh basil leaves if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It honestly takes less time than ordering takeout, and tastes infinitely fresher.
  • The spinach adds color and nutrition without changing the comforting marinara flavor you crave.
  • You probably have most of these ingredients already, making it a true pantry rescue.
02 -
  • Pasta water is not a last resort; it's essential for bringing a sauce together and creating that silky coating that makes the dish work.
  • Overcooking spinach is impossible here—the longer it sits in the sauce, the more tender it becomes and the more it flavors everything around it.
03 -
  • Always reserve pasta water before draining; it turns a separated, stodgy dish into something silky and cohesive.
  • The magic moment is when everything just comes together in the skillet—if something feels off at that point, add pasta water gradually and keep tasting rather than serving something you're not sure about.
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