Description
A quick, healthy, and flavorful Ground Chicken Pasta with Spinach recipe that combines lean ground chicken, fresh spinach, and your choice of pasta in a savory tomato sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish balances protein, vegetables, and comforting pasta, making it perfect for nutritious weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 4 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry Staples
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or spaghetti)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce or diced tomatoes
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional, to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Lemon juice, for brightness
Instructions
- Prepare your pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your chosen pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until fragrant and translucent to build the flavor base.
- Brown the ground chicken: Add the ground chicken to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and cook for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink and slightly golden. Season with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Incorporate spinach and sauce: Stir in fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Pour in tomato sauce or diced tomatoes. Mix well and simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce mixture. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach your desired sauce consistency and creaminess.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Toss once more and serve hot, garnished with extra cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Season the meat thoroughly early to maximize flavor infusion.
- Use fresh spinach for best texture; if using frozen, drain well and cook longer.
- Reserve pasta water to create a silky sauce and help ingredients bind.
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushy texture when mixed with sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to customize spice level.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg