Spinach & White Bean Pasta 🌿🫘🧄🍝 Creamy, Garlicky, and Packed With Greens and Plant-Based Protein

This pasta is weeknight wellness in a bowl — sautéed garlic, wilted spinach, and creamy white beans swirled into pasta with olive oil and lemon. It’s hearty without heaviness, protein-rich without meat, and endlessly riffable.

Everything you need is probably already in your pantry.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the pasta

• 8 oz penne, rigatoni, or fusilli
• Salted water for boiling
• ¼–½ cup reserved pasta water

For the beans & greens

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can white beans (cannellini or great northern), drained and rinsed
• 4 cups baby spinach (or 2 cups frozen, thawed and squeezed dry)
• Zest and juice of ½ lemon
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

To finish

• 2 tbsp chopped parsley or basil
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast
• More lemon juice or olive oil
• Optional: toasted breadcrumbs or pine nuts for crunch

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the pasta
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 2: Sauté the aromatics
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium. Add garlic and chili flakes if using. Sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 3: Add beans and spinach
Add white beans to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Sauté 2–3 minutes, then add spinach. Stir until wilted (or heated through if using frozen). Add lemon zest and juice.

Step 4: Combine and toss
Add cooked pasta and a splash of pasta water. Toss to coat and mash some beans slightly to create creaminess. Stir in Parmesan or nutritional yeast and herbs.

Step 5: Serve hot
Plate with more lemon, cheese, and optional crunchy toppings.

Flavor Variations

• Stir in sun-dried tomatoes or olives for punch
• Add a spoonful of ricotta or crème fraîche for richness
• Use kale or chard instead of spinach
• Swap lemon for balsamic vinegar or a dash of white wine
• Crumble in feta or goat cheese for a tangy finish

Pro Tips

• Mash some beans for a creamy texture without cream
• Add spinach in batches so it wilts evenly
• Don’t skip the lemon — it balances the richness
• Toasted breadcrumbs = instant crunch upgrade
• Pasta water brings everything together — use as needed

Final Thoughts

Spinach & White Bean Pasta is wholesome, hearty, and quietly luxurious — a no-fuss way to feel full and nourished while staying plant-powered and pantry-savvy. Creamy, green, and bright in all the right places.

Mash it. Wilt it. Toss it bright and bold. 🌿🫘🧄🍝

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

Explore All Pasta Recipes – A complete noodle lover’s hub — creamy, meaty, veggie-packed, or refreshingly cold, these recipes have it all.

🧄 Classic & Comforting

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🧀 Sauce Styles

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• 🌿 Pesto Pasta Recipes – Herbaceous and vibrant, these green-sauced dishes are perfect for warm-weather meals.

🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

• 🐓 Chicken Pasta Recipes – Tender chicken meets creamy or tangy sauces — the perfect protein-pasta pairings.
• 🍤 Shrimp Pasta Recipes – Juicy shrimp with garlic butter, wine, or creamy sauces — quick and elegant.
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• 🐄 Ground Beef Pasta Recipes – Comforting classics like bolognese, skillet meals, and one-pot beefy favorites.
• 🌭 Sausage Pasta Recipes – Hearty and spiced — from Italian to spicy andouille, sausage elevates every bite.

🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
• ⏱️ Easy Pasta Salad Recipes – Quick assembly, great texture — ideal for lunches and BBQs.
• 🥬 Healthy Pasta Recipes – Nourishing options made with whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh produce.