Description
A delightful and creamy spaghetti dish featuring fresh baby spinach and sun-dried tomatoes in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, perfect for a quick and satisfying vegetarian dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces spaghetti
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Tomatoes: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another minute to release their flavors.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the fresh baby spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to evenly cook.
- Prepare Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring gently. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and simmer the sauce for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly. Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired, adjusting to taste.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your preferred consistency.
- Serve: Serve the spaghetti warm, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired for an extra touch of flavor and color.
Notes
- For a lighter alternative, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp to increase the protein content and make the dish heartier.
- This creamy sun-dried tomato sauce works wonderfully with other pasta shapes such as penne or fettuccine.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
