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Plate of spaghetti with spinach and sun-dried tomato cream sauce

Spaghetti with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

A cozy weeknight favorite featuring spaghetti tossed in a creamy, tangy sauce with fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes.
Prep Time 8 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 500

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 12 oz spaghetti
Cream Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic = bigger flavor.
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced and drained Use good-quality sun-dried tomatoes.
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese Use fresh-grated for best melt.
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • to taste Salt and black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • as needed Reserved pasta water Add as needed to loosen sauce.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the spaghetti until al dente (check 1–2 minutes before package time). Meanwhile, reserve about 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and add minced garlic and red pepper flakes; sauté until fragrant and just turning golden, about 30–45 seconds.
  3. Stir in the sliced sun-dried tomatoes; cook for another minute so they release flavor and sizzle slightly.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring so it doesn’t scorch at the edges; add Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
  5. Stir in the grated Parmesan until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened; look for a glossy finish and no grainy cheese bits.
  6. Fold in the fresh spinach in batches, and stir until wilted and bright green; then toss the cooked spaghetti into the skillet, adding reserved pasta water a splash at a time to loosen the sauce to your preferred silkiness.
  7. Serve warm and enjoy the steam and aroma.

Notes

For a meaty spin, consider a quick add-in like browned sausage. For a bright variation, add a squeeze of lemon and chopped basil.