Description
Creamy, comforting, and bursting with bold Mediterranean flavors, this Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce is the ultimate weeknight pasta recipe. With tangy sun-dried tomatoes, tender spinach, and a velvety cream sauce, it’s a satisfying, nutrient-packed meal ready in just 20 minutes!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta Dish:
- 8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
- 5 ounces baby spinach, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup slivered oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar
- ½ cup onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Optional Garnishes:
- Extra Parmesan cheese
- Additional crushed red pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta:
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. - Wilt the spinach:
Place chopped spinach in a colander. When the pasta is done, drain it directly over the spinach to wilt the leaves. Set aside. - Sauté aromatics:
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato oil over medium heat. Add onions and sun-dried tomatoes, and cook for about 3 minutes, or until softened. - Add seasonings:
Stir in garlic, crushed red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, until fragrant. - Deglaze and simmer:
Increase heat to medium-high. Pour in broth, scraping the pan to deglaze. Let it reduce by half, about 2 minutes. - Make it creamy:
Lower heat to medium. Stir in sour cream, Parmesan cheese, and butter, stirring until smooth and fully incorporated. - Combine:
Add the drained pasta and wilted spinach to the skillet. Toss well to coat evenly with the creamy sauce.
Notes
- Don’t skip the oil from the sun-dried tomato jar—it adds rich, savory flavor.
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and gives a richer flavor than pre-shredded varieties.
- To make it vegetarian, use vegetable broth and skip any meat additions.
- Try adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for a protein boost.
- Pair this pasta with garlic bread, green salad, or a bowl of Zuppa Toscana Soup for a cozy, complete meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: ~390
- Sugar: ~4g
- Sodium: ~390mg
- Fat: ~18g
- Saturated Fat: ~8g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~9g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~45g
- Fiber: ~6g
- Protein: ~13g
- Cholesterol: ~35mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, sun-dried tomato pasta, spinach spaghetti, quick weeknight dinner, Mediterranean pasta, 20-minute pasta, vegetarian pasta