Quick Marinara Pasta Spinach

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried spaghetti or penne pasta

02 - Salt, to taste, for pasta water

→ Sauce

03 - 2 tbsp olive oil

04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

05 - 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce

06 - 5 oz fresh baby spinach

07 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ To Serve

09 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 oz), plus extra for garnish

10 - Fresh basil leaves (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.

02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

03 - Pour in marinara sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Add red pepper flakes if desired.

04 - Stir in fresh spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

05 - Add drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat thoroughly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach preferred consistency.

06 - Stir grated Parmesan cheese into the pasta and season with freshly ground black pepper.

07 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -

Ready in 20 minutes with zero stress, perfect when you're tired but hungry.
That spinach sneaks in nutrition so subtly you almost forget you're eating something good for you.
The garlic and marinara combo creates a flavor depth that tastes way more effort than it actually is.

02 -

Don't skip reserving the pasta water—that starchy liquid is what makes the sauce cling to the noodles instead of sliding off.
Fresh spinach releases moisture as it cooks, so if your sauce gets watery, the pasta water fix works better than cooking it longer.

03 -