Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Spinach Alfredo Pasta
Indulge in this creamy and vibrant Sun Dried Tomato Spinach Alfredo Pasta, a delightful blend of flavors that will satisfy your cravings. Perfect for cozy evenings or elegant dinner parties, this dish is a true celebration of comfort food.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- Fettuccine pasta (or linguine, tagliatelle, spaghetti, penne, or rigatoni)
- Oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
- Fresh baby spinach
- Full-fat heavy cream (or whipping cream)
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh garlic cloves, minced
- Unsalted butter
- Optional: Grilled chicken strips or sautéed shrimp
- Optional: Freshly grated nutmeg
- Optional: Fresh black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Roughly chop the drained sun-dried tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
- Mince the garlic cloves.
- Grate the fresh Parmesan cheese.
- Rinse and pat dry the fresh spinach.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Before draining, scoop out about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
- Drain the pasta and set it aside without rinsing.
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer, cooking for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Add a pinch of salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a tiny pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.
- Gradually stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and smooth.
- Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
- Add the fresh spinach, stirring until it wilts into the sauce.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss gently to coat with the sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
- Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best texture and flavor. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Optional add-ins include protein like grilled chicken or shrimp, and a pinch of nutmeg enhances flavor.