Lemon Herb Chicken Skillet
Golden chicken, a bright lemon pan sauce, and just one skillet to wash. A splash of cream softens the citrus without making dinner feel heavy.
Creamy Garlic Pasta with Spinach
A little starchy pasta water turns cream and garlic into a silky sauce. Spinach wilts right into the pan, so there is no separate vegetable pot to clean.
Creamy Garlic Pasta with Spinach
5 minPrep15 minCook20 minTotal
Amounts scale with servings. Pan size and cooking time may need adjusting for larger batches.
Ingredients
Let’s make it
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to its package until just tender. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the cooking water.
- 2
Meanwhile, warm the oil in a wide skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes, until fragrant but not brown.
- 3
Add cream and ¼ cup of the pasta water. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add spinach in handfuls and stir until wilted.
- 4
Add drained pasta, cheese, salt, and pepper. Toss over low heat for a minute, adding more reserved water a tablespoon at a time until the sauce coats the noodles. Serve immediately.
A few things that help
Finely grate the cheese so it melts quickly instead of clumping.
The sauce thickens as it sits; loosen leftovers with a splash of water when reheating.
Use what you have
Short pasta works too; follow its own package cooking time.
Choose a hard cheese labeled vegetarian if that matters for your table.
Your questions, answered
Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes. Thaw ½ cup chopped frozen spinach and squeeze it dry before stirring it into the cream.
Why save pasta water?
Its starch helps the sauce cling, and the water loosens the cream without adding more fat.
Keep something good going
Baked Buffalo Chicken Dip
Tangy hot sauce, tender shredded chicken, and a bubbling cheddar top. This scoopable dip comes together in one bowl before a short trip to the oven.
Weeknight White Chicken Chili
White beans give this green-chile chicken chili its body. Mash a few against the pot for a creamy broth, then finish with lime for a clean, bright bite.