A creamy pasta dinner does not need a long ingredient list or a heavy sauce. This quick pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and baby spinach is ready in about 15 minutes, and the sauce comes together right in the pan while the pasta cooks.
This is the kind of weeknight dinner that works when you want something warm, creamy and simple without building a whole sauce from scratch. Sun-dried tomatoes bring deeper flavour, spinach keeps it fresh, and a little pasta water makes the sauce smooth and glossy.
Creamy Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Spinach
Creamy, juicy pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and young spinach, ready in only 15 minutes.
Ingredients
- 200 g penne pasta
- 80 g sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- 100 g fresh baby spinach
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or oil from the sun-dried tomatoes
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- parmesan for serving, optional
Method
- Bring at least 2 litres of salted water to a boil in a large pot. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions, usually 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente.
- Meanwhile, finely chop the garlic. Cut the sun-dried tomatoes into small strips, then wash and dry the spinach.
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for 1 minute more.
- Add the spinach and stir for 1 to 2 minutes, until wilted. Add the cream cheese and reduce the heat to low.
- Before draining the pasta, save about 100 ml of the cooking water. Add the drained pasta directly to the pan.
- Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water and mix well until the sauce becomes silky. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, with parmesan if you like.
Tip: Pasta water contains starch, which helps the sauce cling to the pasta and stay creamy.
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Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes. Penne works well because it catches the sauce, but fusilli, spaghetti or any pasta you already have at home will also work.
Can I leave out the spinach?
You can, although the dish loses some freshness. Baby spinach can also be replaced with arugula, chard or a handful of fresh herbs.
Why should I save pasta water?
Pasta water contains starch, which helps the cream cheese, oil and pasta come together into a silkier sauce that clings better.
AI summary
Creamy pasta with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach is a quick Monday dinner for 2, ready in about 15 minutes. The recipe uses penne pasta, sun-dried tomatoes in oil, baby spinach, garlic, cream cheese or sour cream, olive oil or tomato oil, salt, pepper and optional parmesan. Pasta water helps create a silky sauce.
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