This Creamy Spinach Pasta recipe is incredibly easy to follow, making it perfect for weeknight meals. Here’s a detailed guide to ensure perfect results every time:

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Al dente pasta has a slight bite to it, ensuring it holds its shape and texture when combined with the sauce. While the pasta is cooking, you can prepare the sauce. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta. This starchy water is liquid gold and helps to create a silky smooth sauce that perfectly coats the pasta. Drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Sauté the Garlic: While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter and olive oil together in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Using a combination of butter and olive oil provides both flavor and a higher smoke point, preventing burning. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it will become bitter. Fragrant garlic is key to a flavorful sauce.
3. Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet in batches. It might seem like a lot of spinach at first, but it will wilt down significantly as it cooks. Stir the spinach continuously until it wilts and reduces in volume. This usually takes just a few minutes. If you add all the spinach at once, it may steam instead of sautéing, so adding it in batches helps it wilt evenly.
4. Add Cream and Parmesan: Once the spinach is wilted, pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine the cream with the spinach and garlic. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Simmering helps to thicken the cream slightly and allows the flavors to meld together. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the Parmesan cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
5. Season and Flavor: Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Start with a pinch of salt and pepper, then taste and adjust as needed. Remember that Parmesan cheese is already salty, so season cautiously. If desired, add a pinch of ground nutmeg and red pepper flakes for a hint of warmth and spice. Taste the sauce again and adjust seasoning as necessary.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy spinach sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. The pasta water helps to create a luscious, emulsified sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
7. Serve Immediately: Serve the Creamy Spinach Pasta immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh black pepper, if desired. Serving it right away ensures the pasta is hot and the sauce is at its creamiest.