Creamy Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

A comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish where tender penne meets a rich garlic butter sauce studded with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. This Italian-inspired pasta recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs penne pasta, unsalted butter, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 620 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 large, minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup chopped, oil-packed, drained sun-dried tomatoes
• 5 cups, roughly chopped fresh spinach
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red pepper flakes

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne pasta and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Step 2: While pasta cooks, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes to release their flavor. Add 5 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup heavy cream, bring to a simmer, and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. Add 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, stirring until cheese melts and sauce coats the back of a spoon.
5. Step 5: Add the drained pasta and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss everything together over low heat for 1-2 minutes until the sauce clings to the pasta evenly. Serve immediately.