Description
A creamy and flavorful spaghetti dish featuring fresh spinach and a rich sun-dried tomato cream sauce. This recipe combines whole-wheat spaghetti with a savory sauce made from sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, red onion, and Parmesan cheese, making for a quick and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta:
- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 8 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti (or your preferred type)
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped (reserve some oil)
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta and Spinach: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. During the last minute of cooking, add the fresh spinach leaves to the pot. Drain the pasta and spinach mixture and set aside.
- Sauté the Onion: In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of the reserved oil from the sun-dried tomatoes over medium heat. Add the finely chopped red onion and sauté until it softens, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes: Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes. Continue cooking for another 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Broth: Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet, then pour in the vegetable or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly.
- Create the Cream Sauce: Lower the heat to low, then stir in the sour cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly until the sauce is creamy and smooth.
- Combine Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti and spinach into the skillet. Toss gently to coat all the pasta evenly with the sun-dried tomato cream sauce.
- Serve: Remove the skillet from heat and serve immediately. Optionally, garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Notes
- Reserve some oil from the sun-dried tomatoes to enhance the flavor when sautéing the onion.
- Using whole-wheat spaghetti increases the fiber content and adds a nutty flavor.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your desired spice level.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute sour cream and Parmesan with plant-based alternatives.
- Adding spinach during the last minute of pasta cooking helps it retain its vibrant color and nutrients.
