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Creamy Tuscan Garlic Pasta Recipe Easy Homemade Spinach Pasta Delight

creamy tuscan garlic pasta - featured image

A quick and easy creamy Tuscan garlic pasta with fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a rich parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners and weeknight comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces (340 g) fettuccine or favorite long pasta
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (packed in oil)
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach (roughly 120 g), loosely packed
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup cottage cheese (optional, small-curd)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme)
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces (340 g) of fettuccine and cook according to package instructions (about 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1 cup (240 ml) of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Toss in ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  3. Add 4 cups fresh baby spinach to the skillet. Stir and cook until just wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Reduce heat to low. Pour in 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream and stir gently. Add ½ cup cottage cheese if using. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (if desired). Stir to combine.
  5. Slowly mix in ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
  6. Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together over low heat for 2-3 minutes, ensuring each strand is evenly coated.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Do not overcook garlic to avoid bitterness. Add parmesan cheese slowly on low heat to prevent clumping. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Fresh minced garlic is preferred for best flavor. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and parmesan with vegan cheese or nutritional yeast. Frozen spinach can be used if thawed and drained well.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan garlic pasta, creamy pasta, spinach pasta, easy pasta recipe, comfort food, sun-dried tomatoes, fettuccine, weeknight dinner