Quick Marinara Pasta Spinach

# 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)

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain.

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 using.

04 - Stir in fresh spinach and cook, stirring frequently, 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 a splash at a time until desired consistency is reached.

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

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -

It tastes like you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did.
Fresh spinach wilts right into the sauce so you get something hearty without feeling heavy.
That moment when the garlic hits hot oil and fills your kitchen—pure comfort in seconds.

02 -

Reserve that pasta water before you drain—it's the secret to making jarred sauce feel silky and intentional instead of heavy.
Don't skimp on the garlic timing; those thirty seconds matter more than you'd think because you want it fragrant, not brown and bitter.

03 -