Dreamy Spaghetti Spinach Sun-Dried Tomato

You’ll be amazed at how quickly this smooth spaghetti dish with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes comes together It’s super satisfying and has fresh bright flavors in every bite but won’t leave you with a pile of dishes

The first time I served this one everyone stayed quiet til every noodle was gone It’s now the pasta my family begs for all the time

Creamy Ingredients

• Salt and black pepper: Classic seasonings that just make every bite taste its best You’ll get that flavor pop by reaching for good salt and fresh ground pepper if you can
• Heavy cream: This is what makes the sauce taste like something from a cozy café For extra creaminess use fresh stuff if possible
• Fresh spinach: Brings some color and good-for-you nutrients Pick leaves that look vibrant and skip any with brown spots
• Crushed red pepper flakes: Totally optional—add if you like some heat
• Dried spaghetti: This pasta grabs hold of the sauce in just the right way Pick an Italian brand if you want best texture
• Garlic: Nothing beats using fresh cloves Smash and peel ones that feel firm when you press them
• Parmesan cheese: Buy a chunk and grate it yourself for a punchier cheesy flavor It melts right in and makes everything creamy
• Sun-dried tomatoes: These are sweet and tangy and you only need a few to wake up the whole dish Ones packed in olive oil make the sauce richer
• Olive oil: Helps all the flavors come to life Try to use extra virgin with a fresh herby smell

Easy Step-by-Step

Sprinkle On Seasoning:

Finish things up by adding black pepper salt and maybe some red pepper flakes if you like a spicy hit Taste to see if you need more Top with Parmesan for a cheesy kick

Get Everything Together:

Dump in the cooked spaghetti and toss it all so each strand is glossy with sauce

Make The Creamy Sauce:

Pour heavy cream into the pan and keep the heat gentle Toss in fresh grated Parmesan slowly and keep stirring until you’ve got a smooth thick sauce

Add Veggies:

Drop in the sun-dried tomatoes and a heap of spinach Stir so the spinach softens up and the tomatoes get juicy

Sizzle The Garlic:

Heat up olive oil in a wide pan over medium warmth Add chopped garlic Let it go until it smells awesome but don’t let it get brown

Boil and Cook Pasta:

Salt a big pot of water and get it roaring Add spaghetti Give it a stir every now and then Boil until it’s just a little firm to the bite then drain and set aside

Start The Water:

Fill a huge pot with water and shake in plenty of salt Put the heat on high and wait for big bubbles That noise means you can add the pasta soon

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My favorite part is dropping in freshly grated Parmesan and seeing the sauce turn dreamy silky My kids still call the spinach pieces trees and ask for more

How to Store It

Got leftovers Keep them in the fridge with a lid and they’re good for up to three days Warm it up with a splash of milk or cream so the sauce gets its groove back I wouldn’t freeze it though—cream sauces can turn weird

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Swap Outs

If spaghetti’s not your thing, use linguine or fettuccine for a change If you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes try roasted red peppers They add a nice sweet flavor For a lighter sauce go half and half instead of heavy cream but it’ll be a bit runnier

How To Serve

Goes great with lemony arugula salad or a hot slab of garlic bread Toss on some grilled shrimp or chicken if you want more protein

Backstory

This creamy pasta gets its style from Italian and American comfort food traditions Putting spinach together with sun-dried tomatoes gives you big Mediterranean flavor that totally fits a work night meal

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

For sure. Just thaw it out and squeeze it really well so it's not watery. Fresh spinach brings more color and tastes brighter, though.

→ Which sun-dried tomatoes should I pick?

Grab the kind packed in oil because they're soft and full of flavor. If all you've got is dried, soak them first so they aren't chewy.

→ How do I lighten things up?

Use half-and-half or regular milk instead of cream if you want the dish less rich. Just expect a lighter sauce.

→ Is this dish vegetarian-friendly?

Yep! Just make sure you're buying Parmesan that's veggie-safe, or swap in a cheese you like that fits your needs.

→ The sauce got too thick. What do I do?

Stir in a little of the water you cooked the pasta in at the end. It'll help loosen the sauce up right away.