Description
Rich and creamy Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce brings Mediterranean warmth to dinner tables. Silky pasta intertwines with tangy tomatoes and fresh spinach, promising a comforting meal that whisks you straight to Italian countryside kitchens.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 450 g / 1 lb spaghetti
- 200 g / 7 oz fresh spinach
- 100 g / 3.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes
- 250 ml / 1 cup heavy cream
Sauce & Seasoning:
- 3 cloves garlic
- 60 ml / 1/4 cup olive oil
- 30 g / 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Garnish & Optional:
- 50 g / 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water to 212°F (100°C) for the spaghetti, ensuring enough water to allow pasta to move freely.
- Cook spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While pasta cooks, finely mince garlic and roughly chop sun-dried tomatoes into thin strips.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, adding minced garlic and sautéing until fragrant and lightly golden, about 1-2 minutes.
- Introduce butter to the skillet, allowing it to melt and blend with the garlic, creating a rich aromatic base.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously to prevent scorching and create a smooth sauce.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, simmering the sauce for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Gently fold fresh spinach into the cream sauce, letting leaves wilt and integrate fully into the mixture.
- Drain cooked spaghetti, reserving a small amount of pasta water if needed to adjust sauce consistency.
- Combine pasta with the creamy spinach and sun-dried tomato sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure even coating.
- Transfer to serving plates, generously sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and torn fresh basil leaves.
- Serve immediately while hot, offering additional parmesan and basil at the table for personalized garnishing.
Notes
- Toast sun-dried tomatoes briefly before adding to sauce to enhance their rich, concentrated flavor and prevent potential bitterness.
- Adjust cream sauce consistency using reserved pasta water, creating a silky, clingy texture that perfectly coats each spaghetti strand.
- Swap heavy cream with lighter alternatives like half-and-half or coconut milk for a lower-fat or dairy-free version of this indulgent dish.
- Incorporate protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or white beans to transform this vegetarian recipe into a more substantial meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 660
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg