Ingredients
– 12 oz whole wheat penne pasta
– 1 cup reserved pasta water
– 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
– 4 oz (about 1/2 cup) sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 4 oz cream cheese (low-fat or heavy cream can be substituted; vegan cream cheese is an option)
– 2 oz (about 1/2 cup) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 cups loosely packed baby spinach
– 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
1-Cook 12 oz whole wheat penne pasta until al dente, which takes about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain the pasta.
2-Heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and 4 oz sun-dried tomatoes; sauté for 2 minutes, stirring often.
3-Stir in 4 oz cream cheese and 3/4 cup reserved pasta water over low heat until the cream cheese melts into a smooth sauce.
4-Add 2 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese and 2 cups baby spinach; whisk until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts.
5-Toss the cooked pasta in the sauce until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add extra pasta water. Garnish with extra Parmesan and/or crushed red pepper flakes if you like.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🌾 Use whole wheat penne for best sauce consistency and added nutrition; avoid chickpea or gluten-free pasta because starchy water thickens sauce differently.
🍅 Prefer oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for softer texture and intense flavor — dry-packed require rehydration and are chewier.
🧄 Fresh garlic and freshly grated Parmesan cheese improve flavor and sauce texture significantly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg