Creamy Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe

Whipping up a delightful spaghetti and spinach with sun-dried tomato cream sauce can transport you to an Italian kitchen in moments.

Fragrant herbs dance through this creamy blend, promising a symphony of flavors.

Culinary magic happens when simple ingredients come together with unexpected harmony.

Silky pasta twirls around fresh spinach leaves, creating a vibrant canvas for the rich sauce.

Hearty yet light, this dish welcomes anyone seeking comfort on a plate.

Each forkful promises a delectable journey that celebrates fresh ingredients and classic techniques.

Dive in and let your taste buds explore this remarkable Mediterranean-inspired creation.

Why Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Feels Fancy

• Quick and Simple Cooking: Perfect for busy home cooks seeking a delicious meal without complex techniques.
• Flavor-Packed Performance: Combines sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and creamy sauce for a restaurant-quality taste experience at home.
• Versatile Weeknight Winner: Adaptable recipe that allows easy ingredient swaps and satisfies multiple dietary preferences with minimal effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Delivers a rich, creamy pasta dish that appeals to both adults and children, making mealtime enjoyable for everyone.

Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Ingredients

• Spaghetti: A classic Italian long pasta that provides the perfect base for this creamy and flavorful dish.

• Olive Oil: A heart-healthy oil that helps sauté ingredients and create a smooth cooking foundation.
• Garlic: A pungent ingredient that adds depth and aromatic complexity to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: A rich dairy product that creates a luxurious and velvety sauce texture.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, glossy sauce consistency.

• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Intense and concentrated tomatoes that provide a sweet and tangy flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Seasonings that balance and elevate the overall taste of the dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: A sharp and salty cheese that adds depth and a creamy finish to the pasta.

• Fresh Spinach: A nutrient-rich leafy green that adds color, freshness, and a mild earthy flavor to the dish.

Steps To Make Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

Step 1: Boil Water for Pasta

Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. This creates the perfect base for cooking your spaghetti to al dente perfection.

Step 2: Prepare Flavor Enhancers

Finely mince garlic and slice sun-dried tomatoes into thin strips. These ingredients will be the flavor powerhouses of your dish.

Step 3: Cook Spaghetti

Drop spaghetti into boiling water and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Aim for that perfect al dente texture that holds sauce beautifully.

Step 4: Create Garlic Base

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until it becomes fragrant and develops a light golden color, releasing its aromatic essence.

Step 5: Introduce Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to marry their intense flavor with the garlic. Watch as the ingredients begin to dance together.

Step 6: Develop Cream Sauce

Pour heavy cream into the skillet, reducing heat to low. Allow the mixture to simmer gently, creating a luxurious base for your sauce.

Step 7: Enrich the Sauce

Incorporate butter into the cream sauce, stirring until completely melted. This step adds a rich, smooth consistency that will coat the pasta perfectly.

Step 8: Season the Sauce

Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes into the sauce. Whisk thoroughly to ensure every bite will be packed with balanced flavor.

Step 9: Prepare Pasta

Drain cooked spaghetti, reserving a small amount of pasta water. This liquid gold can help adjust sauce consistency if needed.

Step 10: Add Fresh Greens

Introduce fresh spinach to the sauce, gently wilting the leaves. Watch them transform into a vibrant green that adds color and nutrition to the dish.

Step 11: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Toss spaghetti directly into the skillet, ensuring every strand is generously coated with the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.

Step 12: Finish with Cheese

Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the dish, stirring to melt and integrate the cheese throughout. This adds a final layer of richness and depth.

Step 13: Serve and Enjoy

Plate immediately while hot, ensuring each serving is evenly coated with sauce and vegetables. Get ready for a restaurant-quality meal at home!

Tips To Perfect Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

• Boil Water Precisely: Add a pinch of salt to ensure pasta absorbs flavor and reaches perfect al dente texture.
• Slice Ingredients Uniformly: Chop sun-dried tomatoes and mince garlic into consistent sizes for even cooking and balanced taste distribution.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness if needed, creating a silky smooth texture that clings perfectly to spaghetti.
• Balance Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes carefully to create gentle heat without overwhelming the creamy, rich sauce.
• Wilt Spinach Gently: Add spinach last and cook briefly to maintain vibrant color and prevent wilting into mushy texture.

Easy Twists On Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

• Vegan Creamy Pasta: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan, and swap butter for olive oil.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute spaghetti with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta made from rice or chickpea flour.
• Protein-Packed Variation: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy tofu cubes to boost protein content and create a more substantial meal.
• Mediterranean Herbs Remix: Incorporate fresh basil, oregano, and thyme to enhance the sun-dried tomato flavor profile and add aromatic complexity.

Pairing Ideas For Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Select a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the creamy sauce and cut through its richness.
• Boost Beverage Choice: Enjoy a chilled Italian Prosecco or sparkling white wine to enhance the sun-dried tomato's tangy notes and refresh the palate between bites.
• Match Bread Companion: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread or toasted ciabatta slices to soak up the luxurious cream sauce and provide a delightful textural contrast.
• Accent Side Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's creamy texture and add a zesty, peppery element to the meal.

How To Store Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

• Store leftover spaghetti in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent odor absorption.
• Transfer cooled spaghetti to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months. The cream sauce might slightly separate upon thawing, so gently stir when reheating.
• Place spaghetti in a microwave-safe dish. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water to prevent dryness. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs For Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

• Is this dish spicy?

The recipe uses red pepper flakes which add a mild heat, but you can adjust the amount or omit them for a milder flavor.

• Can I use a different pasta?

Absolutely! While spaghetti works great, you can substitute with fettuccine, linguine, or penne based on your preference.

• How do I prevent the cream sauce from separating?

Keep the heat low and stir continuously when adding cream to maintain a smooth, consistent texture.

• Are sun-dried tomatoes necessary?

They provide a concentrated, tangy flavor, but you can replace them with fresh tomatoes or roasted red peppers if needed.

Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy spaghetti & spinach with sun-dried tomato cream sauce offers a luxurious Italian-inspired pasta experience that delights palates. Mediterranean flavors and silky sauce invite culinary explorers to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1 lb spaghetti

Vegetables:

• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with water, add a pinch of salt, and bring to a rolling boil over high heat for cooking the spaghetti.
2. While water heats, finely mince garlic and chop sun-dried tomatoes into thin strips for uniform cooking and flavor distribution.
3. Drop spaghetti into boiling water and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then sauté minced garlic until fragrant and lightly golden, approximately 1-2 minutes.
5. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, stirring to release their intense flavor and blend with the garlic.
6. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, reducing heat to low and allowing the mixture to simmer gently for 3-4 minutes.
7. Incorporate butter into the cream sauce, stirring until completely melted and creating a smooth, rich consistency.
8. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes into the sauce, whisking to ensure even seasoning.
9. Drain cooked spaghetti, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
10. Add fresh spinach to the sauce, gently wilting the leaves for 1-2 minutes until they become tender and vibrant green.
11. Toss spaghetti directly into the skillet, coating the pasta thoroughly with the creamy sun-dried tomato sauce.
12. Finish by generously sprinkling parmesan cheese over the dish, stirring to melt and integrate the cheese throughout.
13. Serve immediately while hot, ensuring each portion is evenly coated with sauce and vegetables.

Notes

• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a splash of starchy pasta water to help sauce cling perfectly to spaghetti, creating a silky texture that enhances overall dish cohesiveness.
• Garlic Precision: Mince garlic finely to prevent burning and ensure even flavor distribution throughout the creamy sauce.
• Spinach Wilting Technique: Add spinach last and cook briefly to maintain its vibrant green color and prevent overcooking, preserving nutritional value and fresh taste.
• Dietary Flexibility: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk for a dairy-free version, or use gluten-free spaghetti to accommodate different dietary needs without compromising flavor intensity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 720
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 650 mg
• Fat: 48 g
• Saturated Fat: 21 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 65 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg