Skip to content
Creamy Pasta with Lemon and Spinach | Nordmad
Dinner

Creamy Pasta with Lemon and Spinach | Nordmad

A fresh, creamy pasta with lemon, spinach and cream – simple everyday food with a soft, rounded sauce.

TraditionalEverydayDinnerPastaVegetarianNordisk Fusion
Shopping List
Rate:
1.0 (1)
25 min total
4 servings
Very Easy

Ingredients

servings
Units

  • Pasta

    • 10.6 oz Pasta (e.g. tagliatelle or penne)
    • 2 tsp Salt for the pasta water

  • Sauce

    • 1 tbsp Olive oil
    • 2 fed Garlic, finely chopped
    • 5.3 oz Fresh spinach
    • about 0.8 cup Cream
    • 1 stk Lemon (zest and juice)
    • 1.4 oz Grated Parmesan

  • Seasoning

    • 1 tsp Salt
    • ½ tsp Black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    Cook the pasta

    1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add salt and cook the pasta al dente. Save about 1 dl of the cooking water and drain the rest.
    10 min
    Pot
  2. 2

    Sauté garlic and spinach

    1. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the garlic for 30–60 seconds, add the spinach and let it wilt.
    4 min
    Medium heat
    Pan
  3. 3

    Make the sauce

    1. Pour the cream into the pan. Add lemon zest and juice and let the sauce simmer gently for a couple of minutes.
    5 min
    Low heat
    Pan
  4. 4

    Toss in the pasta

    1. Add the pasta to the sauce. Stir in the Parmesan and adjust the consistency with a little pasta water. Season with salt and pepper.
    3 min
    Low heat
    Pan
  5. 5

    Serve

    1. Plate and serve right away. Offer extra lemon and Parmesan at the table if you like.
    2 min

Explore more

More dinner recipes

Details

Nutrition

Calories

480kcal

Protein

18g

Fat

22g

Carbs

48g

Serving Size

350g

Serving

Suggestions

  • • Serve right away while the sauce is glossy and creamy
  • • Plate in warm bowls and offer extra lemon at the table if you like
  • • Top with a little extra Parmesan and freshly ground pepper for a calm finish

Drink Pairings

  • • Vin: Dry white wine with fresh acidity, e.g. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio
  • • Alkoholfri: Cold sparkling water with lemon or a mild apple juice

Side Pairings

  • • Crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette
  • • Light bread to soak up the last of the sauce

Dessert Pairings

  • • Light fruit salad with citrus
  • • Yogurt or skyr with honey and nuts

Storage

Fresh

  • • Duration: 2 days
  • • Temperature: 5°C
  • • Method: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The sauce sets as it cools.

Frozen

  • • Duration: 0 days
  • • Temperature: -18°C
  • • Method: Freezing is not recommended — the cream sauce can separate when thawed.

Reheating

  • • Pan: Gently reheat the pasta in a pan over low heat with 2–4 tbsp water (or milk). Stir until the sauce is creamy again. A few drops of lemon at the end if you like. (Low heat)
  • • Microwave: Reheat in short intervals and stir in between. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

Tips

Preparation

  • • Grate the lemon zest finely and avoid the white pith (it can turn bitter).
  • • Have everything ready by the stove once the pasta is on.

Cooking

  • • Keep the heat low when you stir in the Parmesan so the sauce stays smooth.
  • • Save a little pasta water: it makes it easy to loosen a sauce that has become too thick.

Serving

  • • Finish with freshly ground pepper and an extra pinch of lemon zest for a clear, fresh close.

Variations

Flavor

  • Add 1 tsk Dijon mustard to the sauce for a round, lightly sharp depth
  • Add a pinch of chili to the garlic base for more warmth

Health

  • Use light cream, or half milk and half cream, for a lighter sauce
  • Swap part of the pasta for whole-wheat pasta for more staying power

Method

  • Make a one-pan version: use a deep pan and add the pasta directly to the sauce with extra water/broth (adjust as you go)

Toppings

  • Toasted pine nuts or chopped almonds for a mild crunch
  • Extra Parmesan and fresh lemon zest when serving

Author

C

Camilla Basse Christoffersen

Nordmad – mad der samler, smager og føles godt.

Keep a great tone in the comments. No ads, spam, or sensitive personal data.

Comments

Author

C

Camilla Basse Christoffersen

Nordmad – mad der samler, smager og føles godt.