Description
A creamy and flavorful spaghetti dish featuring fresh spinach and tangy sun-dried tomatoes in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a quick vegetarian Italian-American meal that’s both comforting and elegant.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces spaghetti
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the spaghetti. Set pasta aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Tomatoes: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to combine flavors.
- Wilt the Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet with the garlic and tomatoes. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted and tender.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir constantly to prevent curdling. Gradually mix in the grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes if using. Season the sauce with salt and black pepper to your taste.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss well to coat all the strands evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it and achieve desired creaminess.
- Final Simmer and Serve: Cook everything together for another 1 to 2 minutes over low heat to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly. Serve hot with extra Parmesan sprinkled on top if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein and a heartier meal.
- To make it vegan, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and dairy-free Parmesan-style cheese.
