Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-dried Tomato Cream Sauce
Spaghetti & Spinach With Sun-dried Tomato Cream Sauce combines whole-wheat pasta, baby spinach, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan, and a smooth sour cream sauce. It is a weeknight-friendly pasta dinner that feels cozy without needing a long ingredient list.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Colander
- Deep skillet
- Tongs
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 5 ounces baby spinach coarsely chopped
- 8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon oil from sun-dried tomato jar
- 1/2 cup slivered oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- 1/2 cup onion halved and thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spaghetti until just tender.
- Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain the spaghetti and set it aside.
- Heat the sun-dried tomato oil in a deep skillet and cook the onion until softened.
- Add the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper, then cook until fragrant.
- Pour in the broth and simmer briefly so the tomatoes soften and season the sauce.
- Lower the heat and stir in the sour cream, Parmesan, and butter until the sauce is smooth.
- Add the drained spaghetti and chopped spinach, then toss until the spinach wilts.
- Loosen with reserved pasta water as needed, adjust seasoning, and serve warm.
Notes
Storage: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or water until the sauce loosens and turns creamy again.
Freezing: This pasta is best fresh or refrigerated because sour cream sauce can separate after freezing. Freeze only if needed for up to 1 month.
Expert Tips: Remove the pan from strong heat before adding sour cream to keep the sauce smooth.
Sauce Tips: Reserved pasta water is helpful because whole-wheat spaghetti can absorb the sauce as it sits.
Variations: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, white beans, basil, parsley, or a different pasta shape for a practical change.