One Pan Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Spinach Pasta (Printable)

Rich and creamy one pan pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach in a velvety sauce, ready in 30 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta & Vegetables

01 - 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta, uncooked
02 - 3.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes, drained if in oil, sliced
03 - 4 oz fresh baby spinach
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Liquids

05 - 3 cups vegetable broth
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - ¼ cup reserved oil from sun-dried tomatoes or olive oil

→ Cheese & Seasonings

08 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - ½ tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
10 - ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To Make:

01 - Heat a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the reserved sun-dried tomato oil.
02 - Add the minced garlic and sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Pour in the uncooked pasta and vegetable broth. Stir well, bringing to a gentle boil.
04 - Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is nearly al dente and most of the liquid is absorbed.
05 - Stir in heavy cream, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, and fresh spinach. Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the sauce thickens.
06 - Add grated Parmesan, stirring until the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - Remove from heat. Let the pasta rest 2 minutes before serving for optimal creaminess.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce develops this incredible depth from the pasta starches releasing right into the cream, creating restaurant-style velvety texture without any extra effort
  • You only need one pan and 30 minutes, but your dinner guests will think you spent hours at the stove
02 -
  • The pasta continues absorbing liquid even after you add the cream, so do not let it get too dry during the initial broth phase
  • That 2 minute resting period at the end is non-negotiable, the sauce thickens and clings to the pasta like magic
03 -
  • If the sauce gets too thick before the pasta is done, add a splash more broth rather than water to maintain flavor intensity
  • Save a few sun-dried tomato slices to garnish the top, making it look as beautiful as it tastes

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