Creamy Spicy Pasta with Chili Crisp and Baby Spinach

Ingredients

- 8 oz Pasta (any preferred type, such as spaghetti or penne)
- 8 oz Cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp Chili crisp (adjust based on spice preference)
- 3 cups Baby spinach
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
- Add the pasta, cooking according to package instructions until al dente, approximately PT10M (10 minutes).
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

2. Make the Creamy Sauce:
- In the same pot, over medium heat, add the softened cream cheese along with 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta water.
- Stir continuously until the cream cheese is melted and smooth, creating a silky sauce. Add more pasta water if the sauce is too thick.

3. Add the Flavor:
- Stir in the chili crisp, adjusting the amount based on your desired level of spice.
- Cook for 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

4. Incorporate Baby Spinach:
- Add the baby spinach to the pot, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and is well combined with the sauce.

5. Combine and Season:
- Return the cooked pasta to the pot, tossing it gently with the creamy sauce and spinach until evenly coated.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste, combining everything for an additional minute over low heat.

6. Serve:
- Plate the dish immediately, ensuring an even distribution of pasta and sauce.
- Optionally, garnish with additional chili crisp on top for extra spice and flavor.

Total Time

PT20M
20 minutes

Type of Dish

Dinner

Keywords

Pasta recipe, Chili crisp pasta, Cream cheese pasta, Spicy dinner, Quick pasta dinner, Spinach pasta, Creamy sauce, Easy dinner recipe, Weeknight meal, Vegetarian pasta

Recipe Yield

Feeds 4 adults

Calories

The entire dish contains approximately 1600 calories.

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