Description
Tuscan Pasta is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring linguine cooked directly in a rich blend of heavy cream, milk, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and spinach, finished with Parmesan cheese. This one-pot meal combines Italian herbs and fresh ingredients for a comforting and easy-to-make pasta perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Fats and Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Aromatics and Flavorings
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, drained of oil and roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Dairy
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
Produce
- 2 cups spinach, roughly chopped
Pasta and Seasoning
- 8 ounces linguine, fettuccine, or spaghetti
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat fats and sauté aromatics: In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the minced garlic, chopped sun dried tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add liquids and pasta: Pour in the heavy cream and whole milk while stirring to combine. Add the dry pasta of your choice directly into the saucepan.
- Simmer pasta: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente, about 15 to 20 minutes. Stirring helps prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan and ensures even cooking.
- Add greens and cheese: Once the pasta is tender, stir in the roughly chopped spinach and Parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and cheese melts into the sauce.
- Season and serve: Taste and adjust with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired, then serve immediately and enjoy this creamy Tuscan-inspired pasta dish.
Notes
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan to prevent the cream and milk from scorching during cooking.
- Stir frequently during simmering to avoid the pasta sticking and to create a creamy sauce.
- Sun-dried tomatoes add concentrated flavor; if you prefer a milder taste, reduce the quantity.
- You can substitute gluten-free pasta if avoiding gluten, but cooking times may vary.
- For a slightly lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian