Creamy Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce Recipe

Creamy spaghetti with spinach and sun-dried tomato cream sauce whispers comfort straight from an Italian kitchen.

Pasta lovers know that simple ingredients can create magic on a plate.

Bold flavors dance between tender spinach leaves and rich, velvety sauce.

Silky noodles capture every nuanced bite of tangy sun-dried tomatoes.

Mediterranean influences shine through this elegant yet uncomplicated dish.

Each forkful promises a delightful journey through authentic, rustic tastes.

Come savor a meal that feels like a warm culinary embrace.

Spaghetti & Spinach: Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Bliss

• Quick Weeknight Meal: Whip up this delightful spaghetti dish in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Nutritious Comfort Food: Packed with nutrient-rich spinach and protein-filled Parmesan, this recipe transforms a classic pasta into a wholesome, satisfying meal that feels indulgent yet healthy.
• Versatile Flavor Profile: Easily customize the dish by adjusting spice levels with red pepper flakes or swapping Parmesan for nutritional yeast, making it adaptable to different dietary preferences and taste buds.
• Minimal Cleanup Hero: Using just one skillet and a pot, this recipe minimizes kitchen mess and dishwashing time, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet-style meal without the typical cooking hassle.

What Blends Into Spinach Sun-Dried Pasta

• Spaghetti: Classic Italian pasta that provides a perfect base for the creamy sauce, choose high-quality durum wheat pasta for best texture.
• Salt: Essential for seasoning the pasta water, enhances overall flavor of the dish.

• Spinach, Fresh Garlic, Onion: Adds nutritional value and aromatic depth, select crisp and vibrant spinach leaves and fresh garlic for maximum flavor.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Intense, sweet-tangy flavor that provides rich Mediterranean character, choose oil-packed varieties for extra moisture.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, smooth sauce texture, full-fat cream recommended for richness.
• Parmesan Cheese, Nutritional Yeast: Adds savory, umami depth, Parmesan provides traditional cheese flavor while nutritional yeast offers vegan alternative.
• Olive Oil or Sun-Dried Tomato Oil: Provides cooking fat and additional flavor, helps sauté aromatics.
• Red Pepper Flakes, Black Pepper, Salt: Customize heat and seasoning to personal preference, allows final flavor adjustment.

Directions for Spaghetti & Spinach in Tomato Cream

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt.

Bring the water to a rolling boil and cook the spaghetti exactly as the package recommends.

The pasta should be tender yet have a slight bite.

Step 2: Wilt Spinach with Pasta Magic

Place fresh spinach in a colander.

When the pasta is cooked, carefully pour the steaming water and pasta over the spinach.

The hot water will instantly wilt the spinach, creating a vibrant green base for your dish.

Step 3: Sizzle Aromatics

Heat a skillet over medium flame.

Pour in the oil from sun-dried tomatoes or olive oil.

Add minced garlic and diced onions, stirring until they become soft and release their incredible aroma.

Step 4: Introduce Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Toss in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

Let them dance in the pan for 1-2 minutes, releasing their intense, concentrated flavor.

Step 5: Create Luxurious Cream Sauce

Pour heavy cream into the skillet.

Allow the sauce to simmer and slowly thicken, creating a rich and velvety texture that will coat every strand of pasta.

Step 6: Combine All Ingredients

Add the cooked spaghetti and wilted spinach to the skillet.

Gently toss everything together, ensuring each strand is lovingly coated with the creamy sauce.

Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast for an extra layer of flavor.

Step 7: Season and Serve

Taste the dish and adjust the seasoning.

Add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want a spicy kick.

Serve immediately, with an optional sprinkle of extra cheese on top.

Enjoy your restaurant-worthy meal!

Cream Sauce Tricks For Sun-Dried Spaghetti

• Drain pasta directly over spinach in a colander to save time and perfectly steam the greens without extra pots or steps.
• Use the oil from sun-dried tomatoes instead of regular olive oil to infuse extra tangy, rich undertones into the entire dish.
• Simmer the cream sauce slowly to help it thicken naturally, allowing the sauce to coat pasta evenly without becoming too runny.
• Swap heavy cream with plant-based alternatives like coconut cream for a vegan version, and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
• Taste and adjust seasoning gradually, adding salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in small increments to control the final flavor profile.

Storing Tomato Spinach Pasta for Full Flavor

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer to freezer-safe containers, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing cream-based sauces for best texture.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to prevent drying. Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly.
• Place in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to maintain sauce consistency and prevent cold spots.

Creamy Picks For Spinach Pasta

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Choose a light, acidic Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the creamy sauce and complement the sun-dried tomatoes' tangy flavor.
• Create Fresh Side Salad: Toss together a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a bright, peppery contrast to the rich pasta dish and cleanse the palate.
• Match with Crusty Garlic Bread: Prepare warm, toasted French bread rubbed with garlic to soak up the delicious cream sauce and add a complementary texture to the meal.
• Select Herbal Garnish Accent: Sprinkle fresh basil or chives on top to introduce a light, aromatic element that enhances the overall flavor profile of the creamy spaghetti.

Spinach Spaghetti Sauce Switches

• Vegan Veggie Fusion: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. Swap Parmesan for nutritional yeast and add roasted bell peppers for extra flavor.
• Gluten-Free Herb Haven: Use zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta. Incorporate fresh basil and oregano to enhance the sauce's aromatic profile.
• Protein Power Bowl: Add grilled chicken or pan-seared shrimp for a protein boost. Include toasted pine nuts for crunch and additional nutrients.
• Low-Carb Mediterranean Option: Substitute spaghetti with spiralized butternut squash or cauliflower rice. Include crumbled feta cheese and kalamata olives for authentic Mediterranean taste.

FAQs

• Are sun-dried tomatoes necessary for this recipe?

Sun-dried tomatoes add a rich, tangy flavor and are key to the sauce’s unique taste. If unavailable, you can substitute with roasted red peppers or tomato paste.

• Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! The recipe is already vegetarian. Simply use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to make it fully plant-based.

• How can I add more protein to this pasta?

Consider adding white beans, chickpeas, grilled tofu, or cooked chicken to boost the protein content without changing the core recipe.

• Is this dish spicy?

The recipe has mild heat from optional red pepper flakes. You can control the spiciness by adding fewer or skipping the red pepper flakes entirely.

Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy “spaghetti & spinach with sun-dried tomato cream sauce” delivers Mediterranean magic on your plate. Rich with silky textures and bold Italian flavors, you’ll savor each sumptuous twirl of pasta that whispers coastal charm.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) whole-wheat spaghetti
• 3 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (oil-packed preferred)
• 1 cup heavy cream (or dairy-free alternative)

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for a vegetarian option)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)

Seasoning and Oil:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, from sun-dried tomatoes jar)
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Fill a spacious pot with water, generously salt, and bring to a rolling boil. Cook spaghetti until perfectly al dente, following package guidance.
2. Position fresh spinach leaves in a colander, then pour steaming pasta directly over them, allowing the heat to naturally wilt and soften the greens.
3. Heat the reserved sun-dried tomato oil (or olive oil) in a skillet over medium temperature. Introduce minced garlic and diced onions, gently sautéing until translucent and aromatic.
4. Incorporate finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the skillet, allowing them to release their intense flavor for approximately 2 minutes.
5. Stream heavy cream into the pan, letting the mixture simmer and gradually thicken, creating a luxurious, velvety sauce.
6. Introduce the cooked pasta and wilted spinach to the skillet, delicately tossing to ensure every strand is lavishly coated with the creamy sauce.
7. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast, stirring to integrate and enhance the overall richness of the dish.
8. Fine-tune the seasoning with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Plate immediately, garnishing with additional cheese if desired.

Notes

• Optimize pasta texture by cooking just until al dente, ensuring a perfect bite and preventing mushiness.
• Drain pasta water strategically over spinach to gently wilt greens without overcooking, preserving vibrant color and nutrients.
• Customize sauce thickness by controlling cream simmering time; shorter simmer creates lighter sauce, longer creates richer consistency.
• Adapt recipe for dietary needs by substituting heavy cream with plant-based alternatives like cashew cream or coconut milk for vegan version.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 55 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Protein: 15 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg