Quick Marinara Pasta Spinach

# Required Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz dried spaghetti or penne

02 - Salt, 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 (plus more for serving)

10 - Fresh basil leaves (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of 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 the marinara sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Add red pepper flakes if desired.

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

05 - Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water in small amounts until desired consistency is reached.

06 - Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and season with freshly ground black pepper.

07 - Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -

It's ready before hunger fully kicks in, making it the hero of exhausting days.
Fresh spinach hides in the warm sauce like a secret vegetable your family won't even notice.
You only dirty one pot and one skillet, leaving you more time to breathe.

02 -

Pasta water is liquid gold—it's starchy and helps the sauce cling to every strand, so save some before draining.
The spinach releases water as it wilts, which actually helps thin the sauce naturally without making it watery.

03 -