Spinach artichoke pasta is made with perfectly cooked noodles tossed in a creamy parmesan sauce and loaded with spinach and artichokes.
This spinach artichoke pasta recipe is the perfect meal for any busy weeknight and will be your family’s new favorite pasta! Serve it with some gnocchi, marry me chicken, and impossible pie for dessert!
Spinach Artichoke Pasta
Spinach Artichoke Pasta
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 Quick and easy! Ready and on the table in 20 minutes.
📌 The creamy parmesan sauce mixed with that classic spinach and artichoke flavor.
📌 Versatile! Use any type of short pasta you have on hand.
Spinach Artichoke Pasta Ingredients
- Pasta – We used cellentani but you can use any variety of short pasta for this like penne, farfalle or rigatoni.
- Oil and Fat – Olive oil and unsalted butter.
- Spinach – Fresh baby spinach.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves, minced.
- Cream cheese – Cubed at room temperature.
- Milk – Whole or 2% will work best but you can use whatever you have on hand.
- Parmesan – Freshly grated will give you the best flavor and texture but packaged grated parmesan will work in a pinch.
- Artichokes – Jarred or canned artichoke hearts, drained and chopped.
- Salt & Pepper – To taste.
How do you make spinach artichoke pasta? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain pasta.
⭐ Next, heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the spinach and cook until it has wilted. Remove from the skillet and allow any moisture to drain.
⭐ Then, in the same skillet, melt the butter and add the garlic. Cook until fragrant. Add the cream cheese, milk, and parmesan cheese and cook, stirring until the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth and slightly bubbly.
⭐ Finally, stir in the cooked pasta and drained spinach and add the chopped artichoke hearts. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
What type of pasta is best for spinach artichoke pasta?
We like to use a short pasta for this recipe but you can really use anything you have on hand or prefer. You could even use fettuccine. We use the cellentani because it is a hearty pasta that holds up well in the sauce. Farfalle or penne would also be great choices.
Can I make spinach artichoke pasta ahead of time?
This dish is best served fresh but you could make the cheese sauce ahead of time and refrigerate. Reheat on the stove top and add the cooked pasta, artichokes and spinach.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yep! To avoid excess moisture, make sure to thaw the spinach ahead of time and drain and squeeze as much liquid out of the spinach as you can before adding to the pasta.
What type of artichokes do I use?
You can use canned or jarred artichokes for this recipe. Canned artichokes are typically soaked in a vinegar solution and are a bit tangier than jarred artichokes that are usually soaked in olive oil, sometimes with garlic added. Go ahead and use whatever type you prefer!
Leftovers and storage
How long does spinach artichoke pasta last?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a little bit of milk or water when reheating to help loosen up the cream sauce.
Can I freeze spinach artichoke pasta?
Yes, let the pasta cool completely and place in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Tips and tricks
✅ Try adding different vegetables to this pasta to liven the flavor even more! We recommend adding some chopped mushrooms, broccoli or asparagus, or diced tomatoes.
✅ Not a fan of spinach? Try kale in place of the spinach for some added texture.
✅ Make it a full meal by adding ground Italian sausage, cooked chicken, or kielbasa sausage.
✅ Love adding some heat? Throw in some red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to add a touch of spice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use gluten-free pasta for this recipe?
Certainly! You can substitute gluten-free pasta for the regular pasta to make this dish gluten-free. Just be sure to follow the cooking instructions on the gluten-free pasta package as it may require different cooking times.
Can I add protein to this dish?
Absolutely! You can add protein to this pasta by incorporating ingredients like grilled chicken, cooked shrimp, or even tofu cubes. Simply cook your protein of choice separately and mix it into the pasta at the end.
What can I do if the sauce becomes too thick?
If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out by adding a bit more milk, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Be sure to stir it in well to incorporate the additional liquid evenly.
Are there any recommended garnishes for spinach artichoke pasta?
You can garnish this dish with some freshly chopped parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, or a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil for added flavor and presentation.
What wine pairs well with spinach artichoke pasta?
A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio pairs nicely with spinach artichoke pasta, complementing the creamy sauce and the combination of spinach and artichokes.
What to eat with spinach artichoke pasta (serving suggestions)
This spinach artichoke pasta recipe is so quick and easy, we love throwing it into a weekly meal rotation. Try serving it with antipasto salad, garlic knots, and honey garlic shrimp with pumpkin dump cake for dessert.
More amazing pasta recipes
- Rotel pasta
- Lemon pasta
- Pumpkin pasta
- One pot pasta
- Pasta puttanesca
- Garlic noodles
- See all our easy pasta dinner recipes!
Other awesome dishes with spinach
- Creamed spinach
- Jalapeno spinach dip
- Spinach artichoke dip
- Spinach dip
- Spinach and mushroom grits
- Fried eggs with spinach and peppers
- See all our recipes with spinach!
Tools we love
- Enameled cast iron – Perfect for these delicious one-pot meals. From stove top to oven!
- OXO Good Grips Garlic Press – Gone are the days of mincing your garlic by hand! This awesome garlic press can both mince and slice! We heart it.
- Santuko knife – My favorite knife for cutting vegetables! This knife is the perfect size and shape, handles great, and is super reasonably priced. Also, I just love that it’s fun and colorful!
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How to Make Spinach Artichoke Pasta
Spinach Artichoke Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta pictured is cellentani but any shape will work
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 ounces baby spinach
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
- 1 cup milk
- ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 jar or can artichoke hearts 12 - 15 ounces, drained and chopped
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the spinach (in batches if you need to) and cook until it has wilted. Remove from skillet and allow to drain.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter, then add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the cream cheese, milk, and parmesan cheese and cook, stirring, until all the cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth and slightly bubbly.
- Stir in the pasta, drained spinach and chopped artichoke hearts. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Notes
Nutrition
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Spinach Artichoke Pasta
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Pam says
This was delicious! I always love finding a new pasta recipe! Thanks!
Samantha says
Spinach artichoke dip is my favorite so when I saw this recipe, I knew I had to try it. I’m happy to report that this pasta was even better than I expected it to be…creamy, flavorful, and super easy to make! Thank you!
Natasha says
This spinach artichoke pasta recipe was a huge hit with my family. They devoured it! It was full of flavor, creamy and so delicious.