Creamy Lemon-Pesto Spaghetti & Spinach

(5)

This creamy lemon-pesto pasta dish is a bright, comforting dinner that comes together quickly. The sauce combines pesto, a splash of cream and fresh lemon juice for a rich yet zesty flavor. Tender spinach is cooked with the pasta, wilting gently and adding a splash of color.

An image recipe of Creamy Lemon-Pesto Spaghetti & Spinach.
Credit:

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

Active Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
4

We bring the flavor with our Creamy Lemon-Pesto Spaghetti & Spinach, perfect for any night of the week. Pasta is a crowd-pleaser, and we’ve chosen whole-wheat spaghetti for a fiber boost. This dish is packed with flavor bombs like pesto, lemon zest, white wine, garlic and shallots to pack in the flavor to the spinach and cream sauce. And it’s as nutritious as it is delicious, with nutrients like folate, vitamin C and potassium, this pasta is also brimming with antioxidants to fight inflammation. Keep reading for our expert tips on using pasta water, pesto choices and more. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Stirring the pesto off the heat helps keep it from separating, and doing the same with the Parmesan will prevent clumping.
  • Make sure to save more pasta water than you think you’ll need to thin out the sauce. A handy tip is to put a measuring cup in—or under—the colander so you don’t forget to grab some while draining the pasta.
  • We suggest using basil pesto, but a red tomato-based pesto would also be tasty.
  • If you’re looking for alternatives to whole-wheat spaghetti, bucatini or linguine are great options.

Nutrition Notes

  • Basil pesto is a classic sauce that is packed with nutrients like monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. It’s typically made with fresh basil, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon, garlic, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts and salt, and you get a lot of flavor from the centerpiece herb. Look for refrigerated instead of shelf-stable pesto for the best quality. 
  • Spinach is a staple green to have on hand, especially for pasta dishes. Spinach is rich in folate, which is an essential nutrient for heart health, and also to prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy. 
  • Shallots and garlic are both alliums, and while they have differing nutrient profiles, they also share some of the same health benefits. Their pungent aromas mean they are rich in sulfur compounds, which are anti-inflammatory and are studied for their role in preventing cancer when eaten regularly.
Ingredients for lemon pesto spaghetti and spinach arranged on a countertop, including pasta, cheese, spinach, pesto, and other items

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti

  • 1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 large shallots, finely chopped (about ¾ cup)

  • 4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced (about 3 tablespoons)

  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • ½ cup dry white wine

  • ½ cup lower-sodium vegetable broth

  • 6 tablespoons heavy cream, divided

  • ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided, plus more for garnish

  • 3 tablespoons refrigerated basil pesto, divided

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions

  1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add 8 ounces spaghetti; cook according to package directions for al dente, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 5 ounces spinach until wilted, about 30 seconds. Drain, reserving ½ cup pasta water.

    A pot with cooked spaghetti and spinach in hot water, a pair of tongs holding pasta

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

  2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large, high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add chopped shallots, sliced garlic and ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add ½ cup white wine and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add ½ cup broth and 5 tablespoons cream; bring to a lively simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.

    Skillet with a creamy mixture being stirred with a wooden spoon

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

  3. Stir in ¼ cup basil and the pasta mixture; cook over medium heat, tossing and stirring constantly, until the basil is wilted, about 2 minutes. Add ¼ cup of the reserved cooking water; stir constantly until the pasta is well coated. Remove from heat; stir in ¼ cup Parmesan, 2 tablespoons pesto, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Stir in up to ¼ cup more pasta water to reach desired consistency. Add the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan and stir until incorporated. Divide among 4 bowls. In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 tablespoon cream and 1 tablespoon pesto; drizzle over the pasta. Garnish with additional basil and Parmesan, if desired.

    A pan of lemon pesto spaghetti with spinach and a serving utensil

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I use frozen spinach?

    Absolutely. You could use frozen spinach in a pinch. Thaw it, squeeze it and stir it in at the same time you would add the fresh spinach.

  • Does it make a difference if I use store-bought pesto or homemade?

    Ultimately, it comes down to which type you prefer and your personal taste. You can make homemade using your favorite herbs, or try our recipes for Basic Basil Pesto or Lovage Pesto.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    This dish is best served immediately, as it tends to thicken if left to sit for too long. However, if you have leftovers, just pop them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll be good for about 5 days. When you’re ready to reheat, you might want to add a splash of water or some cream to loosen the sauce. Warm it on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring gently until it reaches the desired temperature.

  • What should I serve with Creamy Lemon-Pesto Spaghetti & Spinach?

    When served as a main course, we’d pair this pasta dish with a fresh tossed salad like our Basic Green Salad with Vinaigrette, Avocado Caprese Salad or Kale & Strawberry Salad, along with rolls to mop up the delicious sauce—you won’t want to leave any behind! It is also a tasty side with grilled kebabs, like our Grilled Beef & Vegetable Kebabs, Mojito-Marinated Chicken Kebabs and Garlic Shrimp & Asparagus Kebabs—or make dinner simple with a rotisserie chicken.

EatingWell.com. July 2025

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

435 Calories
24g Fat
41g Carbs
13g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 1¼ cups
Calories 435
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 41g 15%
Dietary Fiber 5g 18%
Total Sugars 6g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 13g 26%
Total Fat 24g 30%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 44mg 15%
Vitamin A 430µg
Vitamin C 17mg 18%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 3mg 19%
Folate 132µg
Vitamin K 206µg
Sodium 380mg 17%
Calcium 234mg 18%
Iron 3mg 18%
Magnesium 92mg 22%
Potassium 578mg 12%
Zinc 2mg 19%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.