Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta with Garlic
A velvety, herb-infused pasta dish with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, ready in under 25 minutes. This italian-inspired pasta (vegetarian) ready in about 28 minutes pairs spaghetti, olive oil, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 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
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, oil-packed, drained and finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 3 cups, packed fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook spaghetti in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: While pasta cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sun-dried tomatoes and garlic, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted and reduced by half.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, add heavy cream, Parmesan, salt, and red pepper flakes; stir until cheese melts and sauce thickens (1-2 minutes).
- Step 5: Toss drained spaghetti into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water 1 tbsp at a time until creamy and coats the pasta evenly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta with Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 28 minutes (10 min prep + 18 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 with Garlic?
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 spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta with Garlic?
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 with Garlic 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.
Is Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta with Garlic vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Love how the Italian come through in every bite.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better pasta dishes though.
