Description
This creamy Tuscan pasta recipe features tender linguine cooked in a luscious sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, and Parmesan cheese, infused with garlic and Italian seasoning. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce and Pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained of oil and roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 8 ounces linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti
Vegetables and Cheese
- 2 cups spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Garnish
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat oil and butter: In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and unsalted butter over medium heat until the butter is melted.
- Sauté aromatics: Add minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning to the pan. Sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant, ensuring the garlic does not brown.
- Add liquids and pasta: Pour in the heavy cream and whole milk, then add the linguine (or preferred pasta). Stir to combine all ingredients.
- Cook pasta: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook the pasta in the cream sauce, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the pasta is al dente, approximately 10-12 minutes depending on the pasta type.
- Incorporate spinach and cheese: Stir in the chopped spinach and Parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and the cheese to melt into the sauce.
- Season and serve: Season with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use any long pasta such as linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti based on preference.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add concentrated flavor—make sure to drain excess oil before using.
- Stir frequently while cooking pasta in the sauce to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or reduce the cream amount.
- Fresh basil as garnish adds a nice pop of color and fresh flavor but is optional.
- This dish is best served immediately to enjoy the creamy texture.
