Creamy Garlic Pasta with Spinach

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This is a simple pasta in a creamy garlic sauce with fresh spinach wilted in at the end. The sauce is made from butter, flour, milk and Parmesan, so there’s no cream to buy.

Every ingredient is a staple, and the dish costs very little for four servings. It’s a reliable answer to a nearly empty fridge.

It’s ready in 20 minutes, and the sauce is made in the same pot the pasta cooked in. Find more like it in our budget dinners for a family of 4.

Ingredients and Swaps

• Pasta: Penne, fettuccine or spaghetti.
• Garlic: Five fresh cloves. It’s the main flavor, so don’t hold back.
• Milk: Whole milk makes the creamiest sauce. 2% works.
• Parmesan: Freshly grated on a cheese grater melts best.
• Spinach: Fresh. Frozen peas or broccoli can replace it.

Tips for a Creamy Garlic Sauce

• Cook the garlic gently. One minute over medium heat, until fragrant but not browned.
• Cook the flour. Stir it into the butter for a minute to remove the raw taste.
• Add the milk slowly. Whisking as you pour keeps the sauce smooth.
• Use the pasta water. A splash loosens the sauce and helps it cling.

Prices are from Walmart’s and ALDI’s websites for stores in Columbus, Ohio, checked in October 2026. Ohio’s grocery prices are within about 1% of the national average, so you may pay more or less depending on where you live, and prices change often. Here’s how we price our recipes.

Cost: Ingredients – $2.92 from Walmart, $2.91 from ALDI · Per Serving – $0.73

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Creamy Garlic Pasta with Spinach

Tender pasta tossed in a simple, silky garlic cream sauce with fresh spinach and Parmesan. A cheap, cozy vegetarian dinner ready in 20 minutes.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 12 ounces pasta penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 5 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Method

 

1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain.
2. In the same pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant but not browned.
3. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk for 1 minute.
4. Slowly whisk in the milk and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook 3–4 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens.
5. Stir in the Parmesan until melted, then add the spinach and stir until wilted.
6. Add the pasta and toss to coat, adding pasta water a splash at a time if needed. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes and serve.

Notes

• Add cooked chicken, shrimp, or white beans for extra protein.
• Swap spinach for frozen peas or broccoli.
• Use whole milk for the creamiest sauce.
• A squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens the flavor.

How to Make It a Fuller Meal

Add cooked chicken, shrimp or white beans, or serve it next to Juicy Baked Chicken Breasts. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end brightens the sauce.

Storage and Reheating

• Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.
• Reheat gently with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
• Freezing isn’t recommended.

Want it richer? Try our Garlic Parmesan Cream Sauce. More budget dinners: 10 Cheap Meals for Two.

Garlic Pasta Questions

Can I use frozen spinach?

Yes. Thaw it, squeeze it dry and stir in about ½ cup at the end.

Why is my sauce lumpy?

The milk went in too fast. Whisk hard, or strain the sauce before adding the pasta.