Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta

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If you've ever wanted to make a meal out of warm spinach and artichoke dip, this creamy pasta is for you. And here's what's almost as good as the flavor of this comforting dish: the fact that this healthy dinner takes just 20 minutes to prepare.

spinach-artichoke-dip-pasta
Active Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
20 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings

You won't believe how easy it is to make this Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta. Filled with fiber-rich ingredients, this simple dish eats like an appetizer for your main meal. Antioxidant-filled spinach and artichoke hearts create the classic combo. Whole-wheat rotini is hearty and toothsome, and hides the luscious cheesy garlic sauce in every nook and cranny. Keep reading for our expert tips, including what ingredient swaps can be made.

Tips for 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!

  • We used whole-wheat rotini for this recipe, but feel free to use whole-wheat mostaccioli, cavatappi, fusilli, penne, gemelli or any other short pasta. Be sure to cook the pasta according to the package directions.
  • If you can find frozen artichoke hearts, they also work well in this recipe. Thaw before using. And you can also use frozen spinach. When using frozen vegetables, be sure to thaw and squeeze out as much water as possible.
  • Feel free to add a cooked protein to the pasta, such as shrimp or meat from a chicken breast or a low-sodium rotisserie chicken. The prepared foods section of your local supermarket has time-saving options.
  • You can make this dish spicy by adding a favorite hot sauce, chile peppers or cayenne pepper.

Nutrition Notes

  • Whole-wheat pasta is made from whole-grains and is rich in gut-healthy fiber. It also provides energy-boosting complex carbohydrates to fuel your body and brain. Not a fan of the hearty taste and texture of whole-wheat pasta? Feel free to use regular pasta if you prefer.
  • Spinach is an antioxidant-packed leafy green. Eating more spinach will support your blood pressure and boost your iron levels.
  • Artichokes are filled with fiber, plant protein and many essential nutrients. Though the artichoke heart doesn't have as many of the nutrients as the outer part of the artichoke does, you'll still get a little bit of protein, fiber and potassium.
  • Parmesan cheese adds some protein and calcium to this pasta dish, along with its classic salty flavor. If you want to keep this dish vegetarian, be sure to use Parm made with vegetarian rennet, as most brands use animal rennet to make it. The label will tell you which type was used.
overhead view of all ingredients in various bowls and dishes

Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 8 ounces whole-wheat rotini

  • 1 (5 ounce) package baby spinach, roughly chopped

  • 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cut into chunks

  • ¾ cup reduced-fat milk

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish, if desired

  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, rinsed, squeezed dry and chopped (see Tip)

Directions

  1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cook 8 ounces of pasta according to package directions. Drain.

  2. Combine 5 ounces spinach and 1 tablespoon water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.

    spinach wilting in a pot

    Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

  3. Add 4 ounces cream cheese and ¾ cup milk to the pan; whisk until the cream cheese is melted.

    overhead view of pot on a stove with creamy mixture and other ingredients in bowls on the side

    Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

  4. Add ½ cup Parmesan, 2 teaspoons garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon pepper; cook, whisking until thickened and bubbling.

  5. Drain as much liquid as possible from the spinach. Stir the drained spinach into the sauce, along with 14 ounces artichokes and the pasta. Cook until warmed through.

Equipment

Large saucepan

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is my Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta runny?

    To prevent the dish from being too watery, make sure the cooked spinach and artichoke hearts are squeezed dry before adding them in. After cooking the spinach, drain in a mesh strainer and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. You can also drain the cooked spinach in a kitchen towel over a bowl, squeezing out the liquid with a spoon. The artichoke hearts should be drained well and squeezed dry before chopping.

  • How should I store and reheat leftovers?

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days. When it's time to reheat it, transfer it to a saucepan and add a little more reduced-fat milk or water to loosen up the sauce, if necessary, and keep the heat at medium-low heat until warmed through.

  • What can I serve with Spinach & Artichoke Dip Pasta?

    This creamy pasta is delicious on its own with a side salad for a quick and easy meal. You can also pair it with grilled chicken, grilled or broiled salmon or grilled vegetables for dinner any day of the week.

EatingWell.com, September 2019

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

371 Calories
9g Fat
56g Carbs
17g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 1/3 cups
Calories 371
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 56g 20%
Dietary Fiber 8g 28%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 17g 33%
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 4g 22%
Cholesterol 26mg 9%
Vitamin A 2827IU 57%
Vitamin C 17mg 19%
Folate 9mcg 2%
Sodium 550mg 24%
Calcium 240mg 18%
Iron 3mg 17%
Magnesium 37mg 9%
Potassium 397mg 8%

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
Carrie Myers, M.S.,
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
Jan Valdez,

Jan Valdez has years of experience working in test kitchens, primarily in research and development and product development. Her experience in the Good Housekeeping test kitchen in New York City launched a career in professional test kitchens.

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.