One Pan Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Spinach Pasta (Printable)

Rich, creamy pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach, all cooked in one pan for easy cleanup.

# What you'll 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 - 1/4 cup reserved oil from sun-dried tomatoes or olive oil

→ Cheese & Seasonings

08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
09 - 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
10 - 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to make it:

01 - Heat a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the reserved sun-dried tomato oil.
02 - Add minced garlic and sliced sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
03 - Pour in 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 liquid is absorbed.
05 - Stir in heavy cream, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, and fresh spinach. Cook for 2–3 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens.
06 - Add grated Parmesan, stirring until sauce is creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
07 - Remove from heat. Let pasta rest 2 minutes before serving for optimal creaminess.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sauce practically makes itself as the pasta starches blend with cream into something velvety and restaurant-quality
  • Everything happens in one skillet, which means maximum flavor with minimal cleanup
02 -
  • Stir occasionally during the simmer so the pasta doesnt stick to the bottom of the pan
  • The sauce thickens significantly as it rests, so dont panic if it looks slightly loose when you first add the cream
03 -
  • Reserve extra pasta water if the sauce looks too thick before adding cream
  • Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any flavorful bits from the pan bottom

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