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Fettuccine with Spinach and Asparagus

Fettuccine with Spinach and Asparagus


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  • Author: Inez Rose
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Fettuccine with Spinach and Asparagus is a creamy, veggie-packed spring pasta that comes together in just 25 minutes. Baby spinach blends with heavy cream into a silky, vibrantly green sauce that coats every strand of pasta. 


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz fettuccine pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 oz fresh baby spinach (about 4 packed cups)
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • ½ cup pasta cooking water, reserved before draining
  • 1 lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, scoop out ½ cup of the starchy pasta cooking water and set it aside. Drain the pasta.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the baby spinach in batches, stirring between additions, and cook for 2–3 minutes until completely wilted.

3. Transfer the wilted spinach and garlic to a blender. Add the heavy cream and ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water. Blend until completely smooth and vibrantly green. Pour the sauce back into the skillet over low heat and stir in the Parmesan until melted and fully incorporated.

4. Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus pieces and cook for 2 minutes. Add the frozen peas and cook for 1 more minute. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and preserve the vivid green color.

5. Add the cooked fettuccine, blanched asparagus, and peas to the skillet with the spinach sauce. Toss everything over medium-low heat, adding the remaining pasta water a splash at a time until the sauce coats every strand. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately topped with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water before draining — the starch it contains binds the sauce to the pasta and prevents separation.
  • Rinse the blanched vegetables under cold water immediately after draining to lock in their bright green color.
  • Blend the spinach sauce until completely smooth — any chunks of spinach left in the sauce detract from the silky, creamy texture.
  • For vegan: replace heavy cream with full-fat canned coconut milk and swap Parmesan for 3 tbsp nutritional yeast.
  • Add grilled shrimp, sliced chicken, or a can of drained white beans at serving time for a protein boost.
  • Serve immediately — this pasta thickens quickly as it sits. Loosen with a splash of warm water and toss over low heat before reheating.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Pasta & One Pot
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Calories: 510
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 420mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 66g
  • Fiber: 7g
  • Protein: 19g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg