4 oz (about 115g) whole wheat or chickpea pasta (penne or spaghetti work well)
2 cups fresh spinach
1 tbsp olive oil (or cooking spray for fewer calories)
2 garlic cloves, minced
Juice of 1/2 lemon (plus a little zest if you like extra lemony flavor)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional, or use a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1 Step
Cook the Pasta (8–10 minutes): Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente (about 8–10 minutes). Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain.
2 Step
Prepare the Sauce (3 minutes): While pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
Add the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute). Be careful not to let it brown.
Add the spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
3 Step
Combine and Serve (2 minutes): Add the cooked pasta to the pan, along with the reserved pasta water. Squeeze in the lemon juice, and season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
4 Step
Toss everything to combine, letting it heat through for 1-2 minutes. Add a sprinkle of lemon zest if desired.
5 Step
Top with Parmesan or nutritional yeast if desired, and serve immediately!