• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
caramel and cashews
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Breakfast
    • Muffins
    • Smoothies
  • Lunch
    • Soup
    • Salad
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
    • Cookies
    • Muffins
    • Cake & Cupcakes
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Me
  • Blog
  • Recipes
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Dinner » Spinach Pasta with White Beans & Parmesan

    Spinach Pasta with White Beans & Parmesan

    February 8, 2023 by Carolyn Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Share this...
    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Pin on Pinterest
    Pinterest
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Share on Yummly
    Yummly
    Email this to someone
    email

    This quick and fresh spinach pasta is coated in garlic butter and tossed with white beans, golden raisins, and parmesan. It's light, delicious, and easy to make!

    a plate of spinach pasta with raisins and parmesan.

    Why you'll love it

    This spinach pasta recipe is simple, light, and delicious! It's not complicated or heavy, but it's still cheesy and decadent. The combination of earthy spinach, sweet golden raisins, and salty parm is spot on.

    It's perfect for a busy weeknight or a lazy Saturday! I like to serve it with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of golden raisins. You can't have too many in this dish. That salty sweet flavor is too good.

    Key Ingredients

    spinach, penne, golden raisins, parmesan, garlic, butter, and white beans.

    Penne pasta - The size and shape of penne works great in this dish. You can use any shape of pasta you like though. Spaghetti or fusilli are good options.

    Butter & garlic - Add depth of flavor to the overall dish. Use unsalted butter so the pasta isn't too salty.

    Pasta water - Don't forget to reserve a half cup of pasta water when you cook it. The starchy water adds flavor and cooks the spinach.

    Lemon juice - Lemon juice really makes this pasta shine! It's bright, fresh, and pairs so well with the salty parm and sweet raisins. Don't use bottled lemon juice! Fresh lemon juice is WAY better.

    Golden raisins - Golden raisins are much sweeter than their darker brown cousins. I'm not a huge raisin fan, but I LOVE golden raisins. Don't omit them from the pasta! It's a crucial element of this dish.

    Parmesan - Shaved or shredded works great! No need to be stingy here. Use a full ¾ cup for the best results.

    White beans - For plant-based protein and a tender, nutty bite.

    a skillet with pasta, spinach, white beans, and raisins.

    How to make spinach pasta

    First, boil your pasta: This is the most time consuming part, and it doesn't take long. Don't forget to reserve ½ cup of cooking water from the pasta. Boil your pasta until it's al dente.

    cooked pasta in a bowl.

    Sauté butter & garlic - Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the garlic. Stir and cook for 30 seconds.

    Add pasta water, lemon, & spinach - Add the pasta water and lemon juice and let cook for 30 seconds. Add the spinach and kosher salt, then stir and cook until it's wilted.

    Stir in cooked pasta - Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and stir to combine the spinach. Then, add the white beans, raisins, and parmesan. Stir well until all the cheese is melted and thoroughly combined.

    Serve - Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!

    a bite of spinach pasta with parmesan.

    Variations

    • Pasta - Feel free to swap regular pasta with a gluten-free alternative. If you're looking for a high-protein option, Banza chickpea pasta is one of our faves. It is a tad thicker and denser than regular pasta.
    • Spinach - Swap the spinach with Lacinato kale or swiss chard if you like. We grow swiss chard so sometimes I will swap it in instead.
    • Garlic - The garlic in this pasta recipe is subtle. For a stronger garlic flavor, up the amount to three or four cloves.

    Recipe Tips

    • Don't burn the garlic. The skillet should be hot, but not scorching. If the pan is too hot, the garlic will burn instead of getting fragrant.
    • Don't overcook the pasta. It should have a slight bite to it, so it doesn't overcook in the skillet. I took mine to a smidge past al dente before I drained it.
    a plate of spinach pasta with parmesan.

    Storing Tips

    • Store leftover pasta with spinach in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
    • Reheat in the microwave in 20-second increments until hot throughout.

    FAQs

    Is pasta with spinach healthy?

    Adding spinach to pasta is a great way to add a boost of nutrients. Spinach is a nutrient-dense superfood that's loaded with antioxidants. It's also low in calories and high in insoluble fiber, which is great for your gut!

    What brings out the flavor of spinach?

    Garlic, lemon, and parmesan complement the taste of earthy spinach super well!

    Quick Dinner Recipes

    • Pink Sauce Pasta
    • One Pan Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake
    • 10-minute Sauteed Kale & Spinach
    a plate of pasta with spinach, raisins, and white beans.

    Spinach Pasta

    This quick and fresh spinach pasta is coated in garlic butter and tossed with white beans, golden raisins, and parmesan. It's light, delicious, and easy to make!
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 648 kcal

    Equipment

    • large pot
    • Large skillet

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 ounces penne pasta (gluten-free or regular)
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • ½ lemon juiced
    • 3 large handfuls of spinach
    • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt (If you only have table salt, cut the amount in half)
    • 15 ounce can of white beans drained and rinsed
    • ⅔ cup golden raisins
    • ¾ cup shredded parmesan

    Instructions
     

    • Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain but reserve ½ cup of pasta water for the recipe.
    • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
    • Add the pasta water and lemon juice. Let the mixture cook for 30 seconds, then add the spinach and kosher salt. Stir and cook until all the spinach is wilted.
    • Add the white beans, golden raisins, and parmesan. Stir and cook until all the parmesan is melted.
    • Scoop pasta into a bowl, then sprinkle with golden raisins and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 648kcalCarbohydrates: 107gProtein: 29gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 752mgPotassium: 969mgFiber: 11gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 395IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 354mgIron: 6mg
    Keyword pasta with spinach, spinach pasta, spinach pasta recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Share this...
    Share on Facebook
    Facebook
    Pin on Pinterest
    Pinterest
    Tweet about this on Twitter
    Twitter
    Share on Yummly
    Yummly
    Email this to someone
    email
    « Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
    17 Mouth Watering Sauces for Rice »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    every day deserves to be delicious
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Hi! I'm Carolyn

    Hi I'm Carolyn - Coffee Drinker, Mom, Celiac. I found out 5 years ago I had Celiac Disease and after a few tearful goodbyes I gave wheat the boot. Now I love to create incredible gluten free recipes anyone can enjoy! about me!

    gluten free products

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • About Me

    Follow

    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020 Caramelandcashews on the Brunch Pro Theme