Description
A rich and flavorful sun-dried tomato cream sauce served over linguine, enhanced with garlic, spinach, and fresh basil for a delightful Italian-inspired meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz linguine
Sauce
- 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables & Herbs
- 6 oz spinach
- 5 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook the linguine. Boil the linguine according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil. Place a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil, warming it evenly.
- Sauté sun-dried tomatoes and garlic. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds while stirring constantly to release their flavors without burning.
- Add half-and-half and seasonings. Pour in 1 cup of half-and-half, sprinkle in paprika and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Melt in Parmesan cheese. Gradually stir in 1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese, continuing to stir for at least 30 seconds until melted. If the sauce is too thin, gradually add more cheese. Stir continuously for a couple of minutes to thicken the sauce.
- Adjust sauce consistency. If the sauce becomes too thick, add small amounts of half-and-half to reach your desired consistency.
- Add spinach. Stir in the 6 oz of spinach and cook on medium heat until the spinach wilts, about 1 minute.
- Combine pasta and sauce. Add the cooked linguine to the skillet with the sauce. Mix thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly.
- Season and garnish. Taste the linguine and add additional salt if needed. Finish by sprinkling the finely chopped fresh basil leaves on top before serving.
Notes
- Use good quality sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for enhanced flavor.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, adjust by adding more half-and-half gradually.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts best for a smooth sauce.
- For a richer flavor, you may substitute half-and-half with heavy cream.
- The recipe can be made vegetarian by ensuring the Parmesan cheese is free from animal rennet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian