Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta Primavera
Al dente pasta tossed with a rich tomato-herb cream sauce and fresh spinach. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 40 minutes pairs penne pasta, heavy cream, packed fresh spinach 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
- 3 oz, oil-packed and chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz, packed fresh spinach
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 medium, finely diced shallot
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 cup, finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz penne and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced shallot and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 oz chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 1 tsp dried oregano, cooking for 1 minute until tomatoes release oil. Add 1 cup heavy cream and simmer gently for 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Add drained penne to skillet with 1/2 cup reserved pasta water, tossing to coat. Stir in 4 oz fresh spinach until wilted, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, stirring until cheese melts and sauce coats pasta.
- Step 5: Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed, serving immediately while hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta Primavera take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta Primavera?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep penne pasta from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta Primavera?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta Primavera for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta Primavera?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order italian delivery again.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
