Indulge in the creamy and savory flavors of this spinach artichoke pasta. This dish combines the earthy taste of fresh spinach with the tangy notes of artichoke hearts, all enveloped in a luscious almond milk sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this pasta recipe is both satisfying and nutritious.
If you're not familiar with nutritional yeast, it's a deactivated yeast that adds a cheesy, nutty flavor to dishes and is often used in vegan cooking. You can find it in the health food section of most supermarkets. Additionally, make sure to pick up unsweetened almond milk to keep the sauce savory.
Ingredients for Spinach Artichoke Pasta Recipe
Pasta: The base of the dish, providing a hearty and filling component.
Olive oil: Used to sauté the garlic and artichokes, adding a rich flavor.
Garlic: Adds a fragrant and savory depth to the dish.
Artichoke hearts: Brings a tangy and unique flavor, complementing the spinach.
Spinach: Adds a fresh, earthy taste and vibrant color.
Almond milk: Creates a creamy sauce without the use of dairy.
Nutritional yeast: Provides a cheesy, umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.
Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When sautéing the garlic in olive oil, make sure to keep the heat at medium to prevent it from burning. Burnt garlic can impart a bitter taste to the dish. Instead, aim for a light golden color before adding the artichoke hearts. This will ensure a more balanced and flavorful base for your spinach artichoke pasta.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Pasta - Substitute with zucchini noodles: Zucchini noodles are a low-carb and gluten-free alternative that still provide a satisfying texture.
Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a high smoke point, making it a great alternative for sautéing.
Garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the dish similarly to garlic.
Artichoke hearts - Substitute with hearts of palm: Hearts of palm have a similar texture and mild flavor, making them a good stand-in for artichoke hearts.
Fresh spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale provides a similar nutrient profile and a slightly heartier texture, which can add more body to the dish.
Unsweetened almond milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk offers a creamy texture and a subtle sweetness that can enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
Nutritional yeast - Substitute with miso paste: Miso paste provides a similar umami flavor and can add depth to the sauce.
Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty, umami flavor that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and complexity to the dish, offering a different but complementary flavor profile.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Dish
- Allow the pasta to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
- Transfer the spinach artichoke pasta to an airtight container. This helps maintain freshness and prevents the absorption of other odors from the fridge.
- Store the container in the refrigerator. The pasta will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, place the cooled pasta in a freezer-safe container or a resealable freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container or bag with the date. This helps you keep track of how long the pasta has been stored.
- When ready to eat, thaw the frozen pasta in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even thawing and prevents the pasta from becoming mushy.
- Reheat the pasta on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of almond milk or olive oil to restore creaminess and prevent drying out.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the pasta in the microwave. Place it in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through.
- If the pasta seems dry after reheating, add a bit more almond milk or a drizzle of olive oil to bring back its creamy texture.
- Enjoy your reheated spinach artichoke pasta as a quick and delicious meal!
How To Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place a large pan over medium heat.
- Add a splash of olive oil or a few tablespoons of unsweetened almond milk to prevent sticking.
- Add the leftover Spinach Artichoke Pasta to the pan.
- Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
- If the pasta seems dry, add a bit more almond milk or a touch of olive oil.
Microwave Method:
- Place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish.
- Add a splash of unsweetened almond milk or a drizzle of olive oil to keep it moist.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir the pasta and continue heating in 30-second intervals until hot.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the pasta in an oven-safe dish.
- Add a splash of unsweetened almond milk or a drizzle of olive oil to keep it from drying out.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
- Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
Steaming Method:
- Place a steamer basket in a pot with a small amount of water.
- Bring the water to a simmer.
- Add the pasta to the steamer basket.
- Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
- Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used to cook the pasta according to package instructions.
Colander: Essential for draining the cooked pasta.
Large pan: Needed to sauté the garlic, artichokes, and spinach, and to combine all ingredients.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the garlic, artichokes, spinach, and pasta to ensure even cooking and mixing.
Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves quickly and efficiently.
Measuring cups: Necessary for measuring the almond milk and nutritional yeast accurately.
Measuring spoons: Useful for measuring the olive oil and any additional seasonings like salt and pepper.
Chef's knife: Important for chopping the artichoke hearts and mincing the garlic if not using a garlic press.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the artichoke hearts and mincing the garlic.
Tongs: Helpful for mixing the pasta with the sauce and vegetables in the pan.
Serving bowls: Used to serve the finished spinach artichoke pasta hot.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Use pre-chopped garlic: Save time by using pre-minced garlic from a jar instead of chopping fresh cloves.
Opt for frozen spinach: Substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach to skip the washing and chopping steps.
Pre-cooked pasta: Use pre-cooked pasta available in stores to cut down on boiling time.
Canned artichokes: Ensure your canned artichokes are already quartered to avoid extra chopping.
Batch cook: Prepare larger quantities and store portions for quick reheating later.
One-pot method: Cook everything in one pot to minimize cleanup time.
Spinach Artichoke Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add artichoke hearts and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add spinach and cook until wilted.
- Pour in almond milk and nutritional yeast. Stir well.
- Add cooked pasta to the pan and mix until well combined. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Classic Tomato Soup Recipe40 Minutes
- Wrapper Recipe25 Minutes
- Fruit and Cheese Platter Recipe15 Minutes
- Eggplant Fries Recipe40 Minutes
- Baked Cauliflower Bites Recipe45 Minutes
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Breakfast Hash Recipe40 Minutes
- Lemon Mousse Recipe15 Minutes
- Fruit Juice Gummies Recipe15 Minutes
Leave a Reply