Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce: A Creamy Weeknight Favorite

When you want a pasta dish that feels indulgent yet balanced, Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce delivers every single time. This recipe combines silky cream sauce, deeply flavored sun-dried tomatoes, and tender spinach, all wrapped around perfectly cooked spaghetti. It’s comforting without being heavy and elegant without being complicated.

This is the kind of pasta that works just as well for a quiet weeknight dinner as it does for entertaining. The sauce comes together quickly, the ingredients are simple, and the final dish feels restaurant-worthy with minimal effort.

Sun-dried tomatoes bring concentrated flavor and a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with cream. Spinach adds freshness and color, cutting through the richness and giving the dish balance. Together, they transform classic spaghetti into something memorable.

Why Sun-Dried Tomatoes Make This Sauce Special

Sun-dried tomatoes are packed with intense tomato flavor thanks to the dehydration process. Unlike fresh tomatoes, they deliver richness and depth instantly, making them ideal for cream-based sauces.

When gently simmered in cream, their flavor blooms and infuses the sauce with a slightly tangy, savory note that keeps the dish from feeling overly rich. Their chewy texture also adds interest, giving each bite contrast against the silky sauce and tender pasta.

The Role of Spinach in Creamy Pasta

Spinach is more than just a color boost here. When added at the end of cooking, it wilts quickly and blends seamlessly into the sauce. Its mild flavor complements the sun-dried tomatoes rather than competing with them.

Spinach also helps balance the dish, making it feel lighter and more complete. It’s a simple addition that makes a noticeable difference in both flavor and presentation.

Ingredients Overview

• Spaghetti
• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Heavy cream
• Fresh spinach
• Parmesan cheese
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Optional red pepper flakes

These ingredients work together to create a sauce that’s creamy, savory, and deeply satisfying.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Spaghetti
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente according to package directions. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
2. Prepare the Sauce Base
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
3. Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes
   Stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes and let them warm in the oil for a minute to release their flavor.
4. Create the Cream Sauce
   Pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer until slightly thickened.
5. Incorporate Spinach
   Add fresh spinach to the skillet. Stir until wilted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce
   Add cooked spaghetti directly to the skillet. Toss gently to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a silky consistency.
7. Finish with Cheese and Seasoning
   Stir in grated parmesan, season with salt and black pepper, and add red pepper flakes if desired.
8. Serve Immediately
   Plate the pasta and garnish with extra parmesan and fresh herbs.

Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

Creamy spaghetti tossed with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach in a rich, flavorful cream sauce.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian-American

Calories: 540

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 12 oz spaghetti
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped
• 1.25 cups heavy cream
• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 0.75 cup parmesan cheese grated
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper

Equipment

• Large pot
• Large skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Colander

Method

 

1. Cook spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Reserve pasta water and drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and cook 1 minute.
4. Pour in cream and simmer gently until slightly thickened.
5. Add spinach and cook until wilted.
6. Add spaghetti and toss with sauce, adding pasta water as needed.
7. Stir in parmesan, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

Notes

Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for a silky finish.

Tips for the Best Creamy Pasta

• Salt your pasta water generously
• Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for best flavor
• Don’t boil the cream—gentle simmering is key
• Add pasta water gradually for perfect sauce texture

Easy Variations

• Protein Boost: Add grilled chicken or shrimp
• Extra Veggies: Mushrooms or roasted red peppers work well
• Cheese Swap: Try pecorino for sharper flavor
• Dairy-Light Option: Use half-and-half instead of cream

Serving Suggestions

Serve spaghetti with sun-dried tomato cream sauce alongside:

• Garlic bread
• Simple green salad
• Roasted vegetables
• Grilled protein

It’s a complete meal that feels comforting yet refined.

Perfect for Busy Nights and Special Occasions

This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like it took far longer. That makes it ideal for both weeknights and hosting. It’s impressive without being fussy—a true kitchen staple.

A Pasta Dish You’ll Make Again and Again

Creamy, savory, and packed with flavor, Spaghetti & Spinach with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce is one of those recipes that earns a permanent place in your rotation. It’s simple, satisfying, and endlessly adaptable.