Spaghetti in Creamy Spinach Sauce

The combination of silky creamed spinach and perfectly cooked spaghetti creates a harmonious taste experience that pampers both palate and soul. The creamy spinach coats every strand of pasta and provides a full-bodied flavor that works completely without animal products. This delicious main dish is on the table in less than 20 minutes and convinces even die-hard non-vegans.

During my first attempt to make vegan creamed spinach, I was skeptical. Would it really become creamy without cream? The result absolutely overwhelmed me. The consistency was even silkier than the classic version, and the flavor was so intense that even my meat-loving friends asked for the recipe.

Ingredients in Detail

• Fresh leaf spinach: provides intense flavors and important nutrients such as iron and vitamin K
• Plant-based cream: forms the basis for the creamy consistency and should be high quality
• Onions: provide the aromatic base and should be finely diced
• Garlic: enhances the flavor and brings a savory note to the dish
• Nutmeg: is the classic spice for spinach and should definitely be freshly grated
• Spaghetti: should be cooked al dente for the perfect bite
• Olive oil: of good quality rounds off the flavors and binds the sauce
• Salt and pepper: should never be missing for seasoning and should be used generously

Particularly important in this dish is the quality of the vegan cream. I prefer oat cream because it brings a natural sweetness that harmonizes wonderfully with the slightly bitter spinach. Oats are also more environmentally friendly than soy or almonds, which is an additional plus point.

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Cooking Instructions in Detail

Cook pasta:

Cook the spaghetti in plenty of salted water according to package instructions. The water should taste as salty as seawater so that the pasta is seasoned from the inside out. About two minutes before the end of cooking time, reserve a cup of pasta water for the sauce.

Sauté onions:

Heat olive oil in a large pan and sauté the finely diced onions until translucent. This takes about 3-4 minutes over medium heat. The onions should not brown but only become transparent for a milder aroma.

Prepare spinach:

Add the fresh spinach to the pan in portions and let it wilt. This goes faster if you put the lid on. The spinach drastically reduces its volume, so don't be alarmed by the initial amount.

Season and taste:

Season the wilted spinach with finely chopped garlic, a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, salt, and pepper. The spices should be generously measured since spinach is naturally quite mild in flavor.

Add cream:

Stir in the plant-based cream and let everything simmer for about 5 minutes so that the flavors can combine. The sauce should thicken somewhat but still remain creamy. Add some of the reserved pasta water if needed.

Combine and serve:

Add the al dente cooked spaghetti directly to the spinach sauce and mix everything well. The starch in the pasta water helps the sauce adhere to the pasta. Taste again before serving and season more if needed.

My son was initially anything but excited when he heard that there was vegan creamed spinach. 'Without real cream, it doesn't taste good,' was his comment. But after the first bite, he was completely convinced. What personally excites me about this dish is its versatility. Sometimes I add roasted pine nuts, other times black olives or sun-dried tomatoes. Each variation brings new flavor nuances and makes the dish exciting again and again.

Serving Tips

This creamy spinach with spaghetti already forms a complete meal but can be enhanced by suitable side dishes. Roasted pine nuts give the dish a nutty note and pleasant crunch. They harmonize wonderfully with the creamy spinach. For additional freshness, a small mixed salad with lemon dressing is suitable, its acidity perfectly complementing the creamy spinach. For those who like it more savory, add roasted cherry tomatoes, which intensify their aroma during baking and contribute a pleasant sweetness.

Adaptation Possibilities

These spaghetti with creamed spinach can be wonderfully adapted to personal preferences. For a more protein-rich version, you can add roasted chickpeas or white beans, which not only satisfy but also offer textural contrast. Lovers of Mediterranean flavors will appreciate sun-dried tomatoes and black olives as a supplement, which give the dish a spicy depth. For a more luxurious version, you can drizzle some truffle oil over it before serving, which gives the vegan dish a surprisingly elegant note and even makes it restaurant-worthy.

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Storage Notes

The vegan creamed spinach with spaghetti can be excellently prepared and stored. In an airtight container in the refrigerator, the dish keeps easily for up to three days. When reheating, it is recommended to add a splash of plant-based milk or cream to restore the creamy consistency. The pasta absorbs liquid during storage and tends to become somewhat drier. It's best to warm the dish slowly over medium heat in a pan; stirring regularly prevents burning and ensures even heat distribution.

The discovery of this vegan creamed spinach recipe was a culinary turning point for me. It showed me that plant-based cuisine can not only be healthy and environmentally friendly but also incredibly flavorful and satisfying. What particularly pleases me: Even after a long workday, I can prepare this dish without feeling overwhelmed. The effort is minimal, the taste experience maximal. Try it – this vegan creamed spinach will also revolutionize your view of plant-based cuisine!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Which vegan cream works best?

For this recipe, oat, soy, or coconut cream work well. Each has a slightly different taste, with oat cream being the most neutral. Coconut cream gives a slightly sweet taste that pairs well with spinach.

→ Do I really need to puree the spinach?

No, pureeing is optional and depends on your preference. If you prefer to have pieces of spinach in your sauce, you can skip the pureeing step. However, for an evenly creamy sauce, pureeing is recommended.

→ Can I use something other than vegan cream?

Yes, instead of vegan cream you can use unsweetened soy yogurt or a creamy plant-based milk. Another alternative is to soak cashews and puree them to a creamy consistency.

→ How important is the pasta water for the recipe?

The pasta water is very important because the starch it contains binds the sauce and provides a creamy consistency. It also helps the sauce adhere better to the pasta. So don't forget to save some of it!

→ Can I replace the spinach with other leafy greens?

Of course! Swiss chard, kale, or even a mix of different leafy greens work well. Note that some leaf varieties require longer cooking times and may have more intense flavors of their own.

→ Is this dish suitable for meal prep?

Yes, you can prepare the spinach sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator. However, you should cook the pasta fresh. When serving, heat the sauce, add some fresh pasta water, and mix with the freshly cooked pasta.