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