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Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Spinach

creamy sun-dried tomato pasta with spinach - featured image
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A comforting and creamy pasta dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, perfect for quick weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle recommended)
  • 1/2 cup (about 50 g) sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and roughly chopped
  • 4 cups (120 g) fresh baby spinach
  • 4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream or half-and-half (can substitute coconut cream for dairy-free)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: red pepper flakes, lemon zest, fresh basil

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (9-11 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup (120 ml) pasta water, then drain pasta and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes to deepen flavor and soften texture.
  4. Lower heat and stir in softened cream cheese, breaking it up with a spoon. Gradually pour in heavy cream or half-and-half, stirring continuously until sauce is smooth and slightly thickened (3-4 minutes).
  5. Add fresh baby spinach to the skillet and stir gently until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
  6. Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Add more reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired creamy consistency.
  7. Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Optionally, add red pepper flakes or lemon zest for extra flavor.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Use room temperature cream cheese to avoid clumping. Toast sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil to enhance flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Do not overcook spinach to keep it vibrant and fresh.

Nutrition

Keywords: sun-dried tomato pasta, creamy pasta, spinach pasta, quick dinner, comfort food, easy pasta recipe

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/creamy-sun-dried-tomato-pasta-with-spinach-easy-comfort-meal-recipe/