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Spaghetti with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

A cozy, creamy pasta dish with fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 560
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Ingredients
  • 12 oz spaghetti
  • 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 drained sun-dried tomatoes = less oil.
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cups fresh spinach
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • as needed Reserved pasta water Reserve ½ to 1 cup pasta water = sauce rescue.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti according to package directions.
  2. Meanwhile, reserve about ½ to 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the spaghetti.
Cooking
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking until fragrant and golden at the edges, about 30–45 seconds.
  2. Add the sliced sun-dried tomatoes and toss for another minute until you smell their sweet-tangy scent bloom.
  3. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, stirring to prevent scorching until it thickens slightly.
  4. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce looks glossy. Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning; taste and adjust.
  5. Add the cooked spaghetti and toss quickly, using reserved pasta water a splash at a time to loosen the sauce so it coats the noodles.
  6. Fold in the fresh spinach and cook just until it wilts, then plate warm and serve right away.

Notes

For time-saving, use store-packed sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained well to skip rehydration. If the sauce splits, add a splash of hot pasta water and whisk vigorously to bring it back together.