Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Spinach Pasta with Lemon
A luscious pasta dish featuring sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a bright lemon cream sauce. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, heavy cream, 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
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1/4 cup, drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add 8 oz spaghetti and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; simmer gently for 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Add drained spaghetti to skillet with 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, 2 cups fresh spinach, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Toss for 2 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce coats pasta.
- Step 5: Remove from heat; stir in 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust consistency with more pasta water if needed.
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 Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Lemon?
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 Lemon?
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 Lemon 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 with Lemon?
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
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
