Description
This creamy pasta dish features al dente pasta tossed in a rich sauce made with butter, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and parmesan, balanced by fresh baby spinach and a touch of tangy balsamic vinegar. It’s a quick and flavorful meal perfect for weeknights or casual dinners.
Ingredients
Pasta and Sauce
- 8 ounces pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2/3 cup diced oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Vegetables
- 2 cups chopped fresh baby spinach
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Make sure to generously salt the boiling water. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining.
- Sauté aromatics and tomatoes: Heat butter in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, diced sun-dried tomatoes, and season with a couple pinches of salt and freshly cracked pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 30 to 60 seconds to release the flavors.
- Add flour: Sprinkle the flour into the pan and stir frequently, cooking for 1 minute to form a roux and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Deglaze with broth: Pour in the chicken broth, using the liquid to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for enhanced flavor.
- Add cream and heat: Stir in the heavy cream and increase heat to medium. Cook for a few minutes until the cream is warmed through and begins to thicken slightly.
- Incorporate cheese: Stir in the shredded Parmesan cheese along with an additional pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Add spinach and balsamic vinegar: Add the chopped baby spinach and balsamic vinegar to the sauce. Stir until the spinach wilts down.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta into the pan, tossing it with the sauce. Add a few splashes of the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta thoroughly.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste and season with additional salt and freshly cracked pepper if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy.
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Notes
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture provides the best bite and prevents mushiness.
- Reserving pasta water helps adjust sauce consistency and improves sauce adhesion.
- Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for best flavor and texture; drain excess oil before using.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is recommended for optimal melt and flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian