Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Spinach Pasta (Printable View)
Rich, creamy pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, all cooked in one pan for maximum flavor and minimal cleanup.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta & Vegetables
01 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta, uncooked
02 - 3.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes, drained if in oil, sliced
03 - 4 oz fresh baby spinach
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Liquids
05 - 3 cups vegetable broth
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/4 cup reserved oil from sun-dried tomatoes or olive oil
→ Cheese & Seasonings
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
10 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, optional
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How-To Steps:
01 - Heat a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the reserved sun-dried tomato oil.
02 - Add the minced garlic and sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Pour in the uncooked pasta and vegetable broth. Stir well, bringing to a gentle boil.
04 - Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is nearly al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
05 - Stir in heavy cream, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), and fresh spinach. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens.
06 - Add grated Parmesan, stirring until the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - Remove from heat. Let the pasta rest 2 minutes before serving for optimal creaminess.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The sauce clings to every curve of pasta because those starches never get rinsed away
- Sun dried tomatoes bring this concentrated brightness that cuts through all that cream
02 -
- The pasta continues absorbing liquid even after you remove it from heat, so pull it when it looks slightly looser than you want
- Using broth instead of water means your seasoning base is built in, so taste before you add much salt
03 -
- Reserve exactly 60 ml of the sun dried tomato oil, that amount creates the perfect seasoned base
- Cut your sun dried tomatoes into strips rather than leaving them whole for better distribution