Description
A creamy and flavorful linguine dish featuring a luscious sun-dried tomato and spinach cream sauce, accented with garlic and Parmesan cheese. Perfectly al dente pasta tossed in a rich, savory sauce that’s quick to prepare and ideal for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz linguine
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil (preferably oil from sun-dried tomato jar for extra flavor)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil), sliced
- 3 cups fresh spinach (or 1 cup frozen, thawed and drained)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional)
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook linguine according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add spinach: Stir in the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. If using frozen spinach, cook for 3 to 4 minutes until warmed through and excess moisture has evaporated.
- Make the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then incorporate the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained linguine to the skillet and toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly. Gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce to your preferred consistency.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Using the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes jar adds extra depth of flavor to the sauce.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to customize the heat level or omit for a milder dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream.
- The reserved pasta water helps achieve a silky sauce consistency and helps the sauce stick to the pasta.
- Fresh basil or parsley garnishes enhance the aroma and add freshness to the dish.
