Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
This creamy and flavorful spaghetti dish combines the richness of sun-dried tomatoes with fresh spinach for a delightful meal that is both satisfying and nutritious. Perfect for a quick dinner, it’s ready in less than 30 minutes!
Equipment
- 1 large pot for boiling pasta
- 1 colander for draining pasta
- 1 large skillet or frying pan
- 1 mixing spoon or spatula
- 1 measuring cups and spoons
- 1 knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 3 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative if preferred.
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese Serve with extra Parmesan cheese for garnish.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional.
- Salt To taste.
- Black pepper To taste.
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining the spaghetti in a colander.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for another minute.
- Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Stir well to combine and let it simmer gently for about 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the cream sauce, stirring until melted and smooth.
- Toss in the fresh spinach leaves and cook until wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet, tossing to combine everything thoroughly. Use reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if it's too thick.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative if preferred.
Adding grilled chicken or shrimp can enhance the protein content of the dish.
Serve with extra Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like basil or parsley for garnish.