Description
Creamy Mediterranean pasta combines sun-dried tomatoes with rich cream sauce for a delightful meal. Home cooks can savor bold flavors and luxurious textures in less than 30 minutes with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ pound (340 g) dried fettuccine
- 1 ½ cups (45 g) baby spinach
- 1 cup (237 ml) reserved pasta water
- ½ cup (100 g) plain 2% or full-fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup (50 g) grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (55 g) julienned sun-dried tomatoes
- ¼ cup (58 g) sour cream
- 14.5 oz (440 g) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil, divided
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsps granulated sugar
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Crushed red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large stockpot of water to a rolling boil, adding olive oil. Cook fettuccine until perfectly al dente, then drain while reserving some starchy pasta water for later use.
- Creamy Base Creation: Whisk Greek yogurt and sour cream together until achieving a smooth, uniform consistency that will form the foundation of the sauce.
- Aromatic Flavor Development: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes until fragrant and lightly caramelized. Introduce diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and a touch of sugar to build a rich, complex flavor profile.
- Sauce Transformation: Gradually blend the yogurt mixture into the tomato base, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Simmer on medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and develop a luxurious texture.
- Final Composition: Season the sauce with salt and black pepper. Incorporate parmesan cheese and baby spinach, stirring until spinach wilts. Fold in cooked fettuccine, ensuring each strand is lavishly coated. Adjust sauce consistency using reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serving Suggestion: Optionally sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes for an extra kick. Plate immediately while steaming hot, presenting a vibrant and indulgent pasta dish that promises to delight the palate.
Notes
- Preserve Pasta Water: Retain starchy cooking liquid to adjust sauce consistency and enhance overall creaminess.
- Prevent Dairy Separation: Whisk yogurt and sour cream mixture carefully and add gradually to maintain smooth sauce texture.
- Control Heat Carefully: Simmer sauce at medium-low temperature to prevent curdling and maintain silky consistency.
- Customize Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes to personal heat preference, adding subtle or intense kick as desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg