This Trader Joe’s Spinach and Chive Linguine is an easy and quick recipe, which is made with fresh basil and Pecorino Romano cheese. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 20 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Spinach and Chive Linguine Ingredients
- 10 oz. Pasta Sonoma Spinach & Chive Linguine
- 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup chopped fresh basil, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 1/2 cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese, divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
How To Make Trader Joe’s Spinach and Chive Linguine
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spinach and chive linguine according to the package instructions. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
- Start the sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the fresh basil, the minced garlic, and the crushed red pepper. Stir for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze the pan: Pour in the white wine and cook for about 3 minutes, until the wine has reduced slightly.
- Combine and finish: Add the drained, cooked pasta to the skillet along with the remaining half of the basil and ¾ cup of the Pecorino Romano cheese. Toss everything together over medium heat until the sauce coats the pasta. Add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, if the sauce seems too dry.
- Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the remaining ¾ cup of cheese.

Recipe Tips
- What if I can’t find spinach and chive linguine? You can use regular linguine. For a similar flavor, you can wilt a large handful of fresh baby spinach into the sauce at the end and add a tablespoon of fresh chopped chives.
- How to prevent the sauce from being too dry? Reserving a cup of the starchy pasta water is the most important step. This water is full of starches that will help create a creamy, emulsified sauce that clings to the pasta.
- Can I add protein? Absolutely. This dish is a perfect base for protein. Sliced grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or a can of drained and rinsed cannellini beans would all be delicious additions.
- What’s the best cheese to use? Pecorino Romano is a hard, salty Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk. It has a sharper, saltier flavor than Parmesan. If you can’t find it, a good quality Parmesan cheese is the best substitute.
What To Serve With Spinach and Chive Linguine
This simple yet elegant pasta dish is a meal in itself, but it also pairs wonderfully with:
- Warm, crusty garlic bread
- A simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette
- A glass of the same dry white wine you used in the sauce
How To Store Spinach and Chive Linguine
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It’s best served fresh, as the pasta will absorb the sauce as it sits. You can refresh leftovers with a little extra olive oil when reheating.
Spinach and Chive Linguine Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Fat: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Protein: 20g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
It has a mild to medium heat from the crushed red pepper flakes. You can easily adjust the amount to your preference or omit them entirely for a completely mild dish.
Yes, this sauce works well with almost any pasta shape. Fettuccine, spaghetti, or even a short pasta like penne would be excellent choices.
Yes. If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute it with an equal amount of chicken or vegetable broth to deglaze the pan.
Trader Joe’s Spinach and Chive Linguine Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: Italian-AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes10
minutes550
kcalA quick and elegant pasta dish featuring spinach and chive linguine tossed in a simple garlic, white wine, and basil sauce with plenty of Pecorino Romano cheese.
Ingredients
10 oz. Spinach & Chive Linguine
6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup chopped fresh basil, divided
4 garlic cloves, minced
½ tsp crushed red pepper
½ cup dry white wine
1 ½ cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese, divided
Salt and pepper
Directions
- Cook the linguine according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté ½ cup of the basil, the garlic, and the red pepper for 1 minute.
- Pour in the white wine and let it reduce for about 3 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta, the remaining ½ cup of basil, and ¾ cup of the cheese to the skillet.
- Toss over medium heat until the sauce coats the pasta, adding reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, topped with the remaining ¾ cup of cheese.
Notes
- Reserving a cup of the starchy pasta water is the secret to a perfect, non-dry sauce.
- For the best flavor, use fresh basil and freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese.
- This is a perfect “emergency” meal to have the ingredients on hand for a busy night, as it comes together in the time it takes to boil pasta.
- Don’t be afraid to be generous with the cheese!
