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
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
Instructions
- 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.
- While the water heats, finely mince the garlic and roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes into delicate pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, allowing the aromatics to gently sizzle and release their fragrant essence.
- Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, stirring constantly to prevent burning and create a golden, translucent base for the sauce.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth, luxurious sauce that begins to simmer and thicken.
- Fold in sun-dried tomatoes, allowing them to infuse the cream with their intense, concentrated flavor profile.
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese into the sauce, whisking until it melts completely and creates a velvety, rich consistency.
- Season the sauce with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste and creating a balanced flavor landscape.
- Drain the cooked spaghetti, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Gently toss the hot spaghetti into the creamy sauce, ensuring each strand is lovingly coated with the vibrant mixture.
- Add fresh spinach leaves to the skillet, allowing them to wilt slightly from the residual heat and incorporate seamlessly into the dish.
- Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle over the top, adding a final burst of herbaceous brightness to the creamy pasta.
- 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