• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Carve Your Craving

Vegetarian and Vegan easy recipes on a budget. Learn how to cook healthy meals at home that saves money.
  • home
  • Recipes
    • Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker
    • Bakers Lounge
      • cakes/ cupcakes/ cookies
      • Frosting / Icing
      • breads
      • other bakes
    • Indian Platter
      • Starters
      • Curries & Vegetables
      • breads / rice
      • Chat
      • South Indian
    • International Cuisine
      • Appetizers
      • Pasta / Noodles /Rice
      • Other Entrees
    • Accompaniments
      • soups
      • salads
      • Dips & Dressings
    • Breakfast & Mid-Day Snacks
    • Desserts / Ice creams / Sweets
    • Fusion
    • Beverages / drinks
    • microwave
  • How To
  • Tips and tricks
  • about
  • Contact Page
  • Mentions
  • Reader’s success stories
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Baking Recipes
  • Indian Platter
  • International Cuisine
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Soup & Salads
  • Dessert Recipes
  • About Me
  • Follow Me On

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • ×
    • Moong Methi Thepla
    • Eggless Thandai Cake
    • Beet Red Velvet Cupcakes (No artificial color)
    • Eggless Red Velvet Cake
    • Daliya Masoor Dal Khichdi
    • Harissa Popcorn Cauliflower
    • Homemade Chocolate Truffles
    • Black Forest Brownie Trifle
    • Pav Bhaji Fondue
    • Paneer Puff Pastry
    • Eggless brownies (Fudgy With Crinkle Top)
    • Jaggery Gond Laddu (Healthy Winter Ladoo)
    Home » International Cuisine » Pasta / Noodles /Rice » Creamy spinach penne pasta without added cream

    Creamy spinach penne pasta without added cream

    By Khushboo 19 Comments January 14, 2016 February 9, 2018

    229 shares
    • Share23
    • Tweet
    • Reddit
    • WhatsApp
    • Email
    Jump to the recipe

    spinach cream pasta

    Pasta night , who doesn’t love one. It’s express , healthy , filling and fun. If you are a pasta lover and like to make it more than one ways then you will like this recipe. 

    This week it was creamy spinach penne pasta without added cream or cheese with a side of warm ciabatta bread. Feel free to add some cheese or cream but it’s not needed.

    It’s a delicious way to sneak in spinach in your meal especially if you have kids who despise  greens.

    Spinach pasta is a regular affair at my place. I make it for dinner most of the times and this time when I made it I thought of making a quick tutorial of the same.  The clicks aren’t that fancy as I clicked them in a jiffy right before dinner. But no compromise on the taste.

    I promise this post will be super quick and not very elaborate. Hope you enjoy this delicious recipe as much as we do . Do not forget to check make ahead of time tips to make this recipe super express.

    spinach cream pasta

    What makes this pasta healthy creamy without cream?

    Well it’s the roux and milk mixture , in short  bechamel / white sauce. 

    And why healthy you ask – Because I haven’t used butter or apf , wheat flour and canola oil is used instead. So this makes it a healthier version. 

    We love loads of veggies in our pasta. Feel free to use your favorite ones or skip them and just keep it penne and spinach cream sauce. 

    Highlights

    Healthy

    Creamy without cream or cheese

    Kid friendly 

    preparations can be done ahead of time

    clean flavors

    The composition – veggies used

    spinach cream pasta

    Broccoli , bell peppers , onions , sweet corn and zucchini .

    Below is the step by step pictorial recipe followed by the instructions.

    There are 4 important steps to this recipe –

    1)Steam and puree the spinach. ( blanching not needed if making the same day)

    2)Boil the pasta .

    3)Make the bechamel/white sauce.

    4)Sautee the veggies in another pan.

    spinach cream pasta composition

    Make ahead of time 

    Boil and well coat the pasta with oil , store it in refrigerator for upto 4 days

    Chop your veggies 3-4 days prior except onions.

    Make spinach puree and store in the refrigerator upto 3 days ahead (blanching recommended )

    Bechamel stays good in the fridge for 4-5 days , may thicken which can easily be thinned later.

    spinach cream pasta

    Liked this recipe?Do give it a star rating in the comments !
    Print recipe
    5 from 7 votes

    Creamy spinach penne pasta without added cream

    A healthy creamy spinach based pasta which makes a delicious lunch or dinner.
    Course Main Course, pasta
    Cuisine Italian
    Prep Time 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 25 minutes minutes
    Total Time 35 minutes minutes
    Adjustable Servings -6 -8 servings
    Author Khushboo

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups loosely packed spinach
    • 1 cup water
    • 2 cups assorted veggies
    • 2 cups pasta before boiling
    • 2 cups milk or more hot milk *
    • 2.5 tablespoon canola/ veg / olive oil
    • 2 tablespoon wheat flour
    • 2 – 3 cloves of minced/ grated garlic
    • 2 teaspoon dried mixed Italian herbs optional
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Chilly flakes optional
    • Some extra virgin olive oil for drizzle optional

    Instructions

    • Cook pasta al dente according to the package. Do not over cook . Drain the pasta and run under cold water to stop cooking it further.
    • In a large pot bring 1 cup water to a boil. Roughly chop the spinach and add it to the water , pressing gently with the spoon to fit all the spinach in. Cook for 2 minutes until all spinach is wilted. Remove he spinach with a slotted spoon. At this point you can blanch spinach by adding it in a bowl of ice cold water. I did not blanch. Puree the spinach mixture when it cools down and set aside.
    • For the béchamel/ white sauce in a heavy bottom pan heat up the oil . Add in the flour and cook it for 30 seconds on medium low flame stirring it continuously. Add in the milk with one hand and stir continuously with another to avoid lumps. You can use a balloon whisk to smoothen the lumps . Cook the sauce until it comes to a simmer and thickens. Add in the spinach puree, cook for 1 minute. Add in some salt , pepper and herbs. Switch off the flame.
    • In another pan, heat up some oil and sautee the garlic , then add in the desired veggies , salt and pepper. Be careful with salt as sauce has it.
    • Add chilly flakes if desired. Sautee for a minute or so , do not over cook the veggies.
    • Now time to assemble just before serving. Fold veggies in the sauce . Add in the pasta and give a quick mix. Taste test and adjust seasonings. Serve hot with a teaspoon or two drizzle of extra virgin olive oil . Enjoy as it is or with a side of soup or crusty breads.

    Notes

    Use desired pasta and veggies.
    I add warm milk as it expedites the process of simmering.
    Tried this recipe?Click photo & send it @carveyourcraving or tag #carveyourcraving on Facebook or Instagram to be featured!

    if you love pastas make sure to check healthy spaghetti in homemade quick arrabiatta sauce – for the recipe click here .

    Hope you like this recipe and do give it a try. I would love to hear from you. If you have tried any of my recipes make sure you click pictures of your hard work and  do drop in a feedback below and pictures on my Facebook page carveyourcraving in messages section. You can follow me on Pinterest too. 

    Happy cooking!

    Do share it with the world !

    If sharing ,please link back to the post as reproducing, distributing or copying pictures or text/ recipes that belong to carveyourcraving on any other platform  is a copyright violation. You can always link back to the website.

    spinach cream pasta

     

     

    Some more recipes like this below -

    More All Recipes

    • Gochujang Noodles Vegetable Tofu Stir-Fry
    • Easy Eggless Churros
    • Chili Garlic Green Beans Stir-Fry
    • Rasmalai Tres Leches Cake
    229 shares
    • Share23
    • Tweet
    • Reddit
    • WhatsApp
    • Email

    Filed Under: All Recipes, International Cuisine, Pasta / Noodles /Rice Tagged With: healthy, kid friendly, pastaJanuary 14, 2016

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      comments and suggestions are welcomeCancel reply

      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Pooja

      November 21, 2018 at 5:10 pm

      5 stars
      My kids loved this spinach sauce. I even added some kale.

      Reply
    2. Ray

      April 03, 2018 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      Turned out nice and green . Just yum!

      Reply
      • Khushboo

        April 04, 2018 at 9:47 am

        Awesome Ray, we love it for that reason too!

        Reply
    3. Shivani Kudva

      April 26, 2017 at 4:59 am

      5 stars
      Super recipe once again… Made it for dinner… Amazing.. Ur recipes r super khushbu:) 🙂 great work… Thank u..

      Reply
      • Khushboo

        April 26, 2017 at 1:48 pm

        Glad you liked it Shivani, thank you for a lovely feedback!

        Reply
    4. Shubha

      April 07, 2017 at 11:00 am

      Superb recipe, will make it today..will keep u posted:)

      Reply
      • Khushboo

        April 07, 2017 at 11:01 am

        That’s great Shubha, i will be waiting for your feedback.

        Reply
    5. Prema Jain

      April 07, 2017 at 12:21 am

      5 stars
      It really looks wow… Looking forward to make it soon 🙂 :* will definitely send u the pics once I make it 🙂

      Reply
      • Khushboo

        April 07, 2017 at 9:12 am

        That’s lovely, sounds good . Thank you Prema.

        Reply
    6. Anumeha

      September 27, 2016 at 6:49 pm

      5 stars
      I loved this recipe – easy, simple and very yummy! Thanks Khushboo 🙂

      Reply
      • khushboo kothari

        September 28, 2016 at 9:25 am

        Thanks for a lovely feedback Anumeha. Btw love your name 🙂

        Reply
        • Anumeha

          October 10, 2016 at 5:21 am

          Aww!! Thank you 🙂

        • khushboo kothari

          October 11, 2016 at 7:15 pm

          You are most welcome Anumeha!

    7. Reshma

      March 14, 2016 at 4:10 pm

      Hi!
      Tried this today and it was amazing!! I was mindblown =)
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • khushboo kothari

        March 14, 2016 at 9:20 pm

        Welcome Reshma 🙂 happy to know that you enjoyed it.

        Reply
    8. Anu

      January 25, 2016 at 4:59 am

      5 stars
      Loved this recipe! It turned out really good.

      Reply
      • khushboo kothari

        January 25, 2016 at 1:15 pm

        Thanks for the feedback Anu, glad you liked .

        Reply
    9. Preethi'sCuisine

      January 16, 2016 at 9:24 pm

      Healthy and Yummy!! Lovely share.

      Reply
      • khushboo kothari

        January 17, 2016 at 10:51 am

        thanks preethi 🙂

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Khushboo!!

    Hi , welcome to carveyourcraving. My blog is all about easy to make delicious meals with a twist. Read More…

    Let’s connect here!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Never miss a new recipe! Subscribe here.

    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

    Footer

    Copyright © 2023 -2024 carveyourcraving.com

     

    Loading Comments...