Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Preparation Time: Cooking Time: Total Time:
This creamy spinach and sun-dried tomato spaghetti is a perfect go-to for busy weeknights. It combines a smooth, rich cream sauce with the bright, tangy flavor of sun-dried tomatoes and tender, wilted spinach. With a garlicky kick, this dish is simple to pull together but can easily be dressed up with added proteins, cheese, or fresh herbs to suit your family’s taste.
Here’s what you can expect from this recipe:
- A straightforward list of everyday ingredients like spaghetti, fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and an easy cream sauce (plus lighter alternatives you’ll love).
- Step-by-step instructions that walk you through everything from boiling the pasta to perfecting the sauce and mixing it all up.
- Helpful serving ideas, garnishing tips, and smart swaps for gluten-free pasta or extra protein, along with veggie or cheesy options.
- Storage advice, make-ahead tips, and answers to common questions so you can turn this into a family-friendly favorite that fits your schedule.
Scroll down to see the full ingredient list and detailed steps to get this creamy, delicious pasta ready in no time.
What Makes It So Good
Quick Preparation
Healthy Ingredients
Creamy Comfort
Versatile Additions
Perfect for Meal Prep
Family-Friendly
Ingredient Checklist
- spaghetti
- fresh spinach
- sun-dried tomatoes
- garlic
- heavy cream
- low-fat yogurt
- red pepper flakes
- your favorite hot sauce
- gluten-free pasta
- fresh thyme
- oregano
- basil
How to Make It
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente.
- Heat oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add fresh spinach and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and cook until the spinach is wilted.
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Stir in heavy cream or a lighter cream alternative and simmer until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Season the cream sauce with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes or fresh herbs to taste.
- Toss the cooked spaghetti into the skillet and mix until the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce.
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Serve the pasta immediately.
Pro Tips for Best Results
Plating:
Garnishing:
Pairing:
Leftovers:
Additional Tips
– Choose Fresh Ingredients: Always go for fresh spinach and top-quality sun-dried tomatoes. Fresh ingredients really lift the flavor and nutrition of this dish.
– Lighten Up if You Like: For a lighter cream sauce, try mixing heavy cream with a bit of low-fat yogurt. You’ll keep the creaminess but cut down on richness.
– Spice it Up: If you enjoy a little heat, toss in extra red pepper flakes or a splash of your favorite hot sauce right into the cream.
– Go Gluten-Free: Swap spaghetti for gluten-free pasta so everyone around your table can enjoy this meal.
– Fresh Herbs Are Your Friend: Stir in fresh thyme, oregano, or even basil to add layers of flavor while making your cream sauce.
– Perfect Pasta Texture: Don’t overcook your spaghetti — make sure it’s al dente. It continues to cook slightly when you toss it with the sauce.
Ways to Customize the Dish
Protein-Packed Addition Vegetarian Twist Cheesy Delight Herb Infusion Pasta Types
Storing, Freezing, and Reheating
Storage Freezing
Answers to Common Questions
→ 1. Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?→ 2. How can I make this dish vegan?→ 3. What type of pasta should I use?→ 4. Can I prepare this dish in advance?→ 5. Is this suitable for meal prep?
A creamy spaghetti dish featuring spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich cream sauce with garlic and herbs, perfect for quick and family-friendly meals.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti (or gluten-free pasta as an alternative)
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream (or a mix of 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup low-fat yogurt for a lighter option)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter for sautéing
- Fresh thyme, oregano, and basil, chopped (about 1 tablespoon each)
- Optional hot sauce, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook spaghetti until al dente according to package instructions.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Add fresh spinach and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream or a mix of heavy cream and low-fat yogurt, then simmer until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Season the cream sauce with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and fresh herbs (thyme, oregano, basil) to taste. Add hot sauce if desired.
- Drain the spaghetti, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce.
- Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh herbs or cheese if desired.
Notes
Use fresh ingredients like fresh spinach and high-quality sun-dried tomatoes for optimal flavor and nutrition., For a lighter cream sauce, substitute half the heavy cream with low-fat yogurt., Add extra heat with additional red pepper flakes or your favorite hot sauce., To make gluten-free, simply substitute regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta., Fresh herbs add flavor and freshness; adjust quantities to taste., Cook pasta al dente as it will continue to cook slightly when mixed with the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approximately 450 calories per serving
- Fat: 18g per serving
- Carbohydrates: 55g per serving
- Protein: 12g per serving
