Rustic Tuscan Spaghetti Recipe: A Taste of Italian Countryside

Simmering with rich, bold flavors, this authentic tuscan spaghetti recipe brings the warmth of Italian countryside straight to your kitchen.

Robust herbs and sun-ripened tomatoes dance together in a harmonious blend of taste and tradition.

Each twirl of pasta captures the essence of rustic tuscan cooking, inviting you to savor a truly memorable meal.

Hearty and comforting, this dish speaks to the soul of home-cooked cuisine.

Garlic and fresh basil weave their magic, creating an aroma that promises pure culinary delight.

The simplicity of ingredients belies the incredible depth of flavor waiting to unfold on your plate.

Let’s find out this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece and let your taste buds embark on an unforgettable journey through Tuscany’s beloved culinary landscape.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 520 kcal

Servings: 7

Pasta Essentials in Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti

• Jumbo Scallops: Tender, sweet seafood that adds luxurious texture and oceanic flavor to the dish, choose fresh, plump scallops with a pearly white color and mild sea scent.
• Chicken Broth: Provides rich, savory base that enhances overall depth of flavor, opt for low-sodium varieties to control salt content.

• Spaghetti: Classic Italian pasta that perfectly captures creamy sauce, select high-quality durum wheat pasta for best texture.
• Butter, Olive Oil: Create silky foundation for cooking, butter adds richness while olive oil prevents burning and adds subtle fruity notes.
• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic vegetables that build complex flavor profile, choose fresh, firm produce with no soft spots.

• White Wine: Introduces bright, acidic element that balances richness, use dry varieties like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, velvety consistency to sauce, select high-fat content cream for maximum smoothness.
• Kosher Salt, Fresh Black Pepper: Essential seasoning that elevates and balances all ingredients, freshly ground pepper provides most vibrant taste.
• Baby Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Optional ingredients that add color, nutrition, and tangy-sweet contrast to creamy dish.
• Cornstarch (Optional): Helps thicken sauce and create perfect coating, mix with water to prevent clumping.
• Fresh Parsley (Optional): Bright, herbaceous garnish that adds fresh finishing touch.

Equipment to Bring Out Creaminess in Tuscan Spaghetti

• Large Pot: Perfect for boiling spaghetti to al dente perfection.
• Skillet: Heavy-bottomed pan for searing scallops and creating the creamy sauce.
• Tongs: Great for handling and turning delicate scallops during cooking.
• Wooden Spoon: Essential for stirring sauce and combining ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring broth, cream, and wine.
• Colander: Needed to drain spaghetti after cooking.
• Cutting Board: For chopping garlic, onions, and parsley.
• Sharp Knife: To prep ingredients with precision.

How to Cook Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti

• Pasta Preparation

Boil your spaghetti in salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain and set to the side.

• Seafood Searing

Heat a skillet to high temperature and quickly brown scallops, creating a golden crust. Remove and keep warm.

• Flavor Foundation

In the same skillet, soften diced onions and minced garlic. Splash in white wine to release delicious browned bits from pan bottom. Pour in rich chicken broth and velvety cream, allowing mixture to gently simmer and naturally thicken.

• Green and Bright Elements

Fold fresh spinach leaves and juicy cherry tomatoes into sauce, letting greens wilt and tomatoes soften slightly.

• Final Fusion

Slide seared scallops back into skillet, coating them with luxurious sauce. Toss spaghetti through mixture, ensuring each strand gets wrapped in creamy goodness.

• Elegant Presentation

Transfer spaghetti to serving plates, arranging scallops on top. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a burst of color and herbaceous flavor.

Add-Ins and Twists for More Tuscan Flavor

• Swap regular spaghetti with whole wheat or gluten-free versions for different nutritional profiles.
• Replace scallops with shrimp, salmon, or white fish to create delightful protein variations that match your taste preferences.
• Prevent sauce from breaking by adding cream slowly and stirring constantly, ensuring a silky-smooth texture that clings beautifully to pasta.
• Experiment with fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme instead of parsley to elevate the dish's aromatic complexity and personal signature.
• Choose dry white wines like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc for cooking, which add depth without overwhelming the delicate seafood flavors.

Serving Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti with Elegance

• Elegant Dinner Date Night: Impress your partner with this restaurant-quality meal served on a candlelit table with soft background music, creating a romantic Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere.
• Coastal Plating Presentation: Twirl spaghetti elegantly on oversized white plates, arrange seared scallops strategically on top, sprinkle fresh parsley, and drizzle remaining creamy sauce around the pasta for a stunning visual appeal.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Choose a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that complements the delicate scallops and rich, creamy sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience with balanced flavors.
• Side Dish Companions: Serve alongside a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or roasted asparagus spears to add freshness and balance the richness of the Tuscan-style spaghetti and seafood.

Storing Creamy Tuscan Spaghetti Smoothly

• Refrigerator Storage Smarts: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Seafood dishes taste best when enjoyed fresh, so aim to consume within 24 hours for optimal flavor and texture.
• Quick Reheat Strategy: Gently warm the spaghetti and sauce in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth to prevent drying. Stir carefully to maintain the creamy consistency and prevent scallops from becoming tough.
• Freezing Fine Print: Not recommended for this dish. Cream-based sauces and delicate scallops tend to separate and lose their original texture when frozen, compromising the meal's quality.
• Prep-Ahead Magic: Chop vegetables and measure ingredients in advance. Store prepped components separately in the refrigerator, allowing you to assemble the dish quickly when ready to cook. This technique saves time and maintains ingredient freshness.

Authentic Tuscan Spaghetti Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty spaghetti alla Toscana brings robust Italian countryside flavors to dinner tables. Rich tomato sauce, pancetta, and herbs create a genuine culinary experience you will savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (907 g) jumbo scallops
• 1 lb (454 g) spaghetti
• 7 oz (198 g) baby spinach
• 7 oz (198 g) sun dried tomatoes
• ½ cup (75 g) diced onion
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 tbsps (60 ml) butter
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• ¾ cup (180 ml) white wine
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) chicken broth
• ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) cornstarch
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) water
• kosher salt
• fresh black pepper
• fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook spaghetti until perfectly al dente, then drain while preserving some pasta water for later use.
2. Scallop Searing: Blot scallops dry, season with salt and pepper, then caramelize in a sizzling skillet over medium-high heat until golden, approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside on a separate plate.
3. Aromatic Foundation: Lower skillet temperature and sauté onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic and cook briefly to release fragrant notes.
4. Liquid Infusion: Deglaze pan with white wine, scraping up browned remnants, then incorporate chicken broth and heavy cream into a harmonious blend.
5. Sauce Development: Create a cornstarch slurry and gradually integrate into the simmering liquid, whisking continuously to ensure a smooth, luxurious texture without lumps.
6. Vegetable Integration: Allow sauce to thicken for 3-4 minutes, then fold in fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes, cooking until greens wilt and tomatoes soften slightly.
7. Final Composition: Reintroduce seared scallops to the skillet, coating them in the velvety sauce. Adjust consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
8. Plating Finale: Toss spaghetti thoroughly in the sauce, ensuring even distribution of ingredients. Serve with scallops artfully positioned on top, then garnish with chopped parsley and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• Sear Scallops Perfectly: Pat scallops completely dry to achieve golden-brown caramelization and prevent steaming, ensuring a crispy exterior.
• Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk cornstarch with cold water separately and add gradually while stirring to create a smooth, velvety sauce without unwanted clumps.
• Reserve Pasta Water: Keep some starchy pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed, helping bind ingredients and create a silkier texture.
• Balance Flavors Carefully: Add salt and pepper incrementally, tasting as you go to enhance the delicate scallop and creamy sauce profile without overpowering.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg