Tasty Spinach and Artichoke Dip Pasta Recipe
A creamy and flavorful Spinach and Artichoke Dip Pasta that combines tender rotini, wilted spinach, and artichoke hearts in a rich cream cheese and parmesan sauce. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with easy preparation and a deliciously smooth, garlicky sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz rotini
Vegetables
- 5 oz spinach
- 14 oz artichoke hearts (chopped into bite-sized pieces)
Sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Grate fresh parmesan, measure out garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper into a small bowl. Have spinach and artichoke hearts ready, chopping artichokes if large. Soften cream cheese to room temperature for smooth incorporation.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook rotini according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside in a large bowl.
- Wilt Spinach: In a medium skillet over medium heat, add spinach with 1 tablespoon of water. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes until wilted. Transfer spinach to a kitchen towel or paper towels and squeeze out excess water. Roughly chop and set aside.
- Make Sauce: In the same skillet, combine softened cream cheese and milk over medium heat. Stir frequently for 2-3 minutes until cream cheese melts and sauce is smooth. Add grated parmesan and dry seasonings, stirring constantly until sauce is creamy and gently bubbling. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the squeezed spinach and chopped artichoke hearts into the sauce. Add cooked pasta and fold gently to coat evenly. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a splash at a time to loosen.
- Heat Through: Heat the combined pasta and sauce over medium heat for about 1 minute until hot and flavors meld. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Using fresh grated parmesan improves sauce texture and flavor.
- Softening cream cheese before cooking prevents lumps in the sauce.
- Reserving pasta water helps adjust sauce consistency and enhances creaminess.
- Wring out spinach thoroughly to avoid a watery sauce.
- Adjust garlic powder and pepper to taste as cream cheese can mute flavors.
Keywords: spinach artichoke pasta, creamy pasta, vegetarian pasta, comfort food, easy weeknight dinner, cream cheese pasta sauce
