Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

Creamy spaghetti with spinach and sun-dried tomato sauce promises a delightful culinary adventure that will spark your taste buds.

Pasta lovers seek comfort in rich, velvety dishes packed with vibrant flavors.

Mediterranean ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious blend of textures and colors.

Fresh spinach adds a nutritious green touch to this indulgent meal.

Smooth cream sauce coats each strand of pasta with luxurious warmth.

Tangy sun-dried tomatoes provide a burst of concentrated sweetness that perfectly complements the creamy base.

You’ll fall in love with every forkful of this elegant yet simple recipe.

Prepare to transform an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary dining experience.

Why Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Tastes So Good

• Craft a Flavor Explosion: Dive into a pasta experience that combines creamy textures with sun-dried tomato intensity, creating a symphony of tastes that dance on your palate.
• Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: Transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal cooking skills, making you feel like a professional chef in your own kitchen.
• Customize Your Culinary Canvas: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping spinach for other greens or adding protein like grilled chicken, turning this dish into a versatile meal that suits any mood or dietary preference.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Deliver a crowd-pleasing dish that appeals to both picky eaters and food enthusiasts, guaranteed to bring smiles around the dinner table with its rich, satisfying flavors.

Everything You Need For Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

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

• Olive Oil: Creates a smooth foundation for developing rich flavors.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic depth to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers a luxurious and velvety texture to the pasta sauce.

• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Provide an intense, concentrated burst of tangy sweetness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Offers a salty and nutty complexity to the sauce.
• Fresh Spinach Leaves: Introduces a subtle green freshness and additional nutrition.
• Fresh Basil Leaves: Contributes a bright, herbal note to the final dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Helps balance and elevate the overall flavor profile of the pasta.

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

Step 1: Boil Water Dramatically

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil, preparing for pasta magic.

Step 2: Prep Flavor Boosters

Grab your cutting board and finely chop garlic into tiny pieces. Slice sun-dried tomatoes into delicate nibbles that will pack serious flavor punch.

Step 3: Warm the Cooking Canvas

Place a large skillet on medium heat. Pour in olive oil, letting it shimmer and dance across the pan’s surface.

Step 4: Awaken the Garlic

Toss minced garlic into the hot oil, stirring quickly to prevent burning. Watch for a golden, fragrant transformation that signals deliciousness is coming.

Step 5: Create Creamy Magic

Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring continuously. Watch the liquid transform into a silky, luxurious sauce that promises incredible taste.

Step 6: Build Flavor Layers

Add sun-dried tomatoes to the cream, letting them release their intense, concentrated flavor into the developing sauce.

Step 7: Cheese Transformation

Sprinkle parmesan cheese into the mixture, whisking until it melts completely. The sauce will become velvety and rich with incredible depth.

Step 8: Season with Confidence

Introduce salt and black pepper, tasting and adjusting until the flavors sing in perfect harmony.

Step 9: Cook Pasta to Perfection

Drop spaghetti into boiling water, cooking until it reaches that ideal al dente texture. Save a splash of pasta water for potential sauce magic.

Step 10: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Drain the spaghetti and tumble it into the creamy sauce. Ensure every strand gets a loving coating of the vibrant mixture.

Step 11: Wilt Fresh Greens

Toss fresh spinach leaves into the skillet, allowing them to soften and meld with the creamy sauce.

Step 12: Add Fresh Herb Finale

Tear fresh basil leaves and scatter them over the top, bringing a burst of bright, herbal freshness to the dish.

Step 13: Serve with Flourish

Plate the spaghetti immediately, crowning it with a light dusting of parmesan and a twist of freshly ground black pepper.

Pro Tips For Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir spaghetti frequently during cooking and add a splash of olive oil to keep noodles separate and smooth.
• Boost Sauce Consistency: Save pasta water to thin or thicken sauce if needed, helping create perfect creamy texture without losing flavor.
• Maximize Garlic Flavor: Avoid burning garlic by cooking on medium heat and stirring constantly, releasing sweet, nutty undertones without bitterness.
• Control Spinach Wilting: Add spinach leaves last and remove skillet from heat to prevent overcooking, maintaining vibrant green color and fresh taste.
• Enhance Herb Freshness: Tear basil leaves right before serving to preserve their aromatic oils and maximize bright, peppery flavor profile.

Different Takes On Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

• Vegan Cream Sauce Variation: Replace heavy cream with cashew cream or coconut milk, using nutritional yeast instead of parmesan for a plant-based alternative.
• Gluten-Free Pasta Option: Swap traditional spaghetti with gluten-free rice noodles or zucchini spirals for a low-carb, celiac-friendly version.
• Protein-Packed Adaptation: Add grilled chicken strips or sautéed shrimp to increase protein content, transforming the dish into a more substantial meal.
• Spicy Mediterranean Remix: Incorporate red pepper flakes, kalamata olives, and extra sun-dried tomatoes to create a more intense, bold flavor profile with Mediterranean flair.

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

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complement the creamy sauce and cut through its richness, offering a refreshing contrast to the sun-dried tomato intensity.
• Elevate with Fresh Arugula Salad: Create a light side salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the pasta's creaminess, adding a peppery crunch and bright acidic notes.
• Match with Garlic Bread Crostini: Prepare toasted bread rubbed with garlic and olive oil to provide a crunchy texture that enhances the dish's Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Serve with Chilled Sparkling Water: Add a slice of lemon to cleanse the palate between bites, helping to refresh the taste buds and highlight the sauce's complex flavors.

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

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the pasta remains fresh and safe to consume.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months, maintaining optimal taste and texture.
• Place pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of cream or water to restore moisture. Stir gently for 3-5 minutes until heated thoroughly, preventing sauce separation.
• Sprinkle a few drops of water over the pasta to prevent drying. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warm and steaming.

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

• Are sun-dried tomatoes different from regular tomatoes?

Sun-dried tomatoes are fresh tomatoes that have been dehydrated in the sun, concentrating their flavor and creating a chewy, intense taste profile that’s much more robust than fresh tomatoes.

• Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

While spaghetti works perfectly, you can substitute with other long pasta like fettuccine or linguine to achieve similar results and maintain the sauce’s coating ability.

• Is this dish considered vegetarian?

Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains no meat, featuring ingredients like spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, cream, and cheese as primary components.

• How can I make this dish more protein-rich?

Consider adding grilled chicken, sautéed shrimp, or white beans to increase protein content while maintaining the creamy sauce’s delicious flavor profile.

Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce brings Italian elegance to comfort dining with creamy, herbaceous delight. Fresh ingredients weave Mediterranean magic, inviting you to savor each luxurious, flavor-packed bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1 lb spaghetti
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Extras:

• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, preparing to cook the spaghetti until it reaches al dente perfection, typically 8-10 minutes.
2. While the water heats, finely mince the garlic and roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes into delicate pieces.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, allowing the aromatics to gently sizzle and release their fragrant essence.
4. Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, stirring constantly to prevent burning and create a golden, translucent base for the sauce.
5. Pour in heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth, luxurious sauce that begins to simmer and thicken.
6. Fold in sun-dried tomatoes, allowing them to infuse the cream with their intense, concentrated flavor profile.
7. Sprinkle parmesan cheese into the sauce, whisking until it melts completely and creates a velvety, rich consistency.
8. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste and creating a balanced flavor landscape.
9. Drain the cooked spaghetti, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
10. Gently toss the hot spaghetti into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is lovingly coated with the vibrant mixture.
11. Add fresh spinach leaves to the skillet, allowing them to wilt slightly from the residual heat and incorporate seamlessly into the dish.
12. Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle over the top, adding a final burst of herbaceous brightness to the creamy pasta.
13. Serve immediately, presenting the spaghetti with a final light dusting of parmesan and a twist of fresh black pepper.

Notes

• Enhance the sauce’s creaminess by saving a splash of pasta water to help bind the sauce more smoothly to the noodles.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free alternative that maintains a rich, velvety texture.
• Toast sun-dried tomatoes briefly in the skillet before adding cream to intensify their deep, concentrated flavor profile.
• Experiment with different leafy greens like kale or Swiss chard as a nutritious spinach replacement for added variety and texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg